EU announces three new cooperation programme with ASEAN
The EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesmans on August 13 announced three new development cooperation projects with ASEAN worth a total amount of 13 million EUR (over 15 million USD).
The flags of ASEAN and the EU (Photo: carnegieeurope.eu)
Jakarta (VNA) 🐎- The EU Ambassador to ASEAN Igor Driesmans on August13 announced three new development cooperation projects with ASEAN worth atotal amount of 13 million EUR (over 15 million USD).
Theannouncement of the new projects was made during the virtual opening of the thirdASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarships Day. Specifically, 5million EUR will be provided for a project supporting smart and sustainableurbanisation, another 5 million UER for a scheme on sustainable forestmanagement, and three million EUR for the ASEAN Supreme Audit Institutions. The EUAmbassador stressed that the announcement of the three projects demonstratesthe strong commitment of the EU and ASEAN to enhancing their partnership andcooperation despite the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic uncertainty. TheEU is ASEAN’s most significant partner in development cooperation, supportingthe region with 250 million EUR for regional integration programmes between2014-2020, in addition to 2 billion EUR in bilateral support to ASEAN member states./.
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Under Vietnam’s chairmanship, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has effectively implemented cooperation and connectivity targets, while overcoming difficulties to earn initial successes in preventing and controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, and embarking on efforts for post-pandemic recovery, said Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
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Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The flags of ASEAN and the EU (Photo: carnegieeurope.eu) 
