(VOVworld)-Hanoi hosted the 20th ASEAN-EU Economic Officials Consultations (SEOM-EU) on Friday in preparation for the 12th ASEAN Economic Ministers-EU Trade Commissioners Consultation.

The ASEAN-EU Economic Officials Consultations (SEOM-EU) opens in Hanoi

Delegations representing the 10 ASEAN member countries, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat, participated. ASEAN and EU officials discussed recent progress in ASEAN-EU economic relations and the reports readied for submission to ASEAN Economic Ministers and the EU Trade Commissioners. Mrs Helena Konig, Head of Trade relations with South and Southeast Asia, ANZ European Commission: “We will discuss work plan for the next 2 years focusing on information exchange between the EU and ASEAN. EU experience in economic integration will be useful for the ASEAN building of its own community and common economic zone.”ASEAN-EU trade surged 12.6 percent to nearly US$235 billion in 2011 while the EU takes the lead in foreign direct investment into the ASEAN.