Reception for Asean, EU ministers
Welcome to Germany: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (left) greets Brunei's Foreign Minister, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, on Wednesday at the EU-Asean meeting. Picture: AFP German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (L) greets the Foreign Minister of Brunei, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah 14 March 2007 in Nuremberg, southern Germany, during the meeting of the Foreign ministers from the European Union and the Association of Sout
Friday, March 16, 2007
HIS Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has joined fellow foreign ministers from Asean and the European Union in a meeting in Germany which is expected to issue a statement pledging closer cooperation in security, trade and environmental issues.
On Wednesday night, His Royal Highness attended a reception for ministers attending the 16th Asean-EU Ministerial Meeting in the city of Nuremberg, hosted by mayor Dr Ulrich Maly.
His Royal Highness later joined the Asean and EU foreign ministers, the Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative of Common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Commissioner for External Relations and the European Commissioner for External Trade, for a working dinner hosted by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
The ministers exchanged views on the Asean-EU dialogue and discussed regional and international matters such as the Middle East, the Korean peninsula and counter-terrorism.
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier noted in opening the meeting that the security and environmental problems confronting the world could not be faced by countries on their own, referring to the threats posed by climate change and international terrorism.
"The era of nation states is over, at least to the extent that none of our countries can solve these problems on its own," he said.
He also called on the two blocs, which are home to about one-sixth of the world's population, to help kick-start stalled World Trade Organisation talks.
The final Nuremberg Declaration, which is to be signed on the second and final day of the talks that are held every two years, was also expected to make references to human rights and democracy. The European Union has long criticised Asean member Myanmar on its rights record.
The meeting between the 27-nation EU and 10-nation Asean was taking place during the German presidency of the EU and is being chaired by Steinmeier and his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong. — With inputs from DPA
The Brunei Times
On Wednesday night, His Royal Highness attended a reception for ministers attending the 16th Asean-EU Ministerial Meeting in the city of Nuremberg, hosted by mayor Dr Ulrich Maly.
His Royal Highness later joined the Asean and EU foreign ministers, the Secretary-General of the Council and High Representative of Common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Commissioner for External Relations and the European Commissioner for External Trade, for a working dinner hosted by Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
The ministers exchanged views on the Asean-EU dialogue and discussed regional and international matters such as the Middle East, the Korean peninsula and counter-terrorism.
German Foreign Minister Steinmeier noted in opening the meeting that the security and environmental problems confronting the world could not be faced by countries on their own, referring to the threats posed by climate change and international terrorism.
"The era of nation states is over, at least to the extent that none of our countries can solve these problems on its own," he said.
He also called on the two blocs, which are home to about one-sixth of the world's population, to help kick-start stalled World Trade Organisation talks.
The final Nuremberg Declaration, which is to be signed on the second and final day of the talks that are held every two years, was also expected to make references to human rights and democracy. The European Union has long criticised Asean member Myanmar on its rights record.
The meeting between the 27-nation EU and 10-nation Asean was taking place during the German presidency of the EU and is being chaired by Steinmeier and his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong. — With inputs from DPA
The Brunei Times
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