(VOVworld)- The 20th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) opened in Brussels on Wednesday in the context of chaos in Europe and Southeast Asia. Tensions in the East Sea and the Malaysian airlines tragedy in the combat zones in Ukraine will top the agenda. Prior to the meeting, top EU experts called for boosting relations with ASEAN which is considered a successful cooperative model in Asia. Some said that although up to 60% of EU’s trade transactions go through the East Sea and the EU is an important partner of many Asian countries, the bloc’s presence in the region remains modest. Increasing relations with Asian countries and its presence in Southeast Asia will help not only to protect EU’s trade and economic interests, but also enhance its position in Asia.
The Vietnamese delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Ahead of a plenary session, Minh will hold talks on the sidelines of the meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Denmark and Germany, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton. Vietnam will co-chair a press conference to wrap up the plenary session.