Ambassador Andreas Michaelis, director of East Asia and Pacific Affairs of Federal Foreign Offices told journalists from Asia and Europe over the weekend that EU is waiting for Asean to amend its protocol so EU as an entity, not a nation-state, can accede to TAC. It is likely that EU would be able to do so at the Asean summing in Singapore.

At the Asean annual meeting in Manila in July, Asean foreign minister would have to approve changes that have been made in the protocol of TAC.

EU decision followed France which signed in January at Cebu the regional code of conducts outlined by Asean in 1976, which calls for the non-use of forces and respects the principle of non-interference.

All major powers in the world, except the US and UK, have already become signatories of TAC since 2002. Michaelis said that the TAC ascension would in the future allow EU to take part in the East Asian Summit, which started the process two years ago. Russia has expressed readiness to sign the TAC but it is pending parliamentary process.

His comment came one day ahead of the 8th Asian-Europe Foreign Ministerial Meeting also held in this port city beginning Monday.

At least 46 Asian and Europe foreign ministers and their delegations with join German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier for the two-day meeting.

At this meeting, Dr. Javier Solana, EU foreign and security minister, will be a guest at the ministerial meeting. His presence underlines the orgnization's growing security-policy dimension.

Six new Asem members India, Pakistan, Mogolia, Bulgaria, Romania will be attending the meeting for the first.

The Nation