The European Union External Action (EEAS) on September 24 published avacancy notice for the recruitment of a dedicated EU Ambassador to theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In its pressrelease, the EEAS said this is an important decision, reflecting theEU's growing engagement with ASEAN and underlining its ambition toupgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership.

The dedicatedAmbassador to ASEAN, based in Jakarta, will coordinate the EU'sexpanding cooperation activities with ASEAN. He or she will representthe EU in all relevant negotiations, coordinate with EU member statesand enhance public diplomacy efforts in relation to EU support for ASEANintegration, it added.

ASEAN brings together ten countries and600 million people in a region characterised by strong economic growthbut also by important political and security challenges. It plays a keyrole in building a rules-based regional architecture.

The EU andASEAN are natural 'partners in integration', who share the same goals:peace, prosperity and democracy, the release said.

At the recentEU-ASEAN Ministerial on July 23 in Brussels, the Ministersunderlined the importance of scaling up EU-ASEAN cooperation and agreedto step up collaboration to enhance connectivity between the tworegions.

They welcomed the EU's commitment to doubling dedicatedsupport for ASEAN's integration and institution building to 170 millionEUR for the 2014-2020 period and decided to enhance maritime securitycooperation.

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, scheduledfor October 16-17 in Milan, will bring together Heads of State andGovernment from 53 Asian and European partners, and will be a keyopportunity to further strengthen Europe's ties with Asia, the EEASsaid.-VNA