Norway to Intensify Collaboration with ASEAN

Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, met Mr. Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, on the sidelines of the 9^th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM 9) in Vientiane, Laos. Minister Eide explored ways and means to intensify the country’s collaboration with ASEAN through possible existing frameworks.

 

On behalf of its Government, Minister Eide informed Dr Surin that Norway, which has just been admitted as an ASEM partner, is committed to annually contribute one million Norwegian Kroner to the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF). ASEF is the only established institution of ASEM aimed at enhancing intellectual, cultural, and personal interactions between Asia and Europe.

 

Minister Eide also informed Dr Surin of the country’s interest in acceding to the Treaty of the Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) at the earliest. In this regard, Dr Surin informed Minister Eide that the ASEAN Member States are well aware of the matter and are currently considering the interest.

 

Furthermore, Minister Eide informed Dr Surin of Norway’s intention to apply for an ASEAN dialogue partner status. To this end, it was highlighted that, currently, ASEAN Member States would like to further consolidate their current activities and with the existing dialogue partners. However, Dr Surin stated that the mentioned status matter should not hinder any potential cooperation with Norway. ASEAN and Norway could work together effectively in various areas, including education and people-to-people contacts, among others.