NZ support Asean think-tank ERIA

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Murray McCully, told Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan on Friday during a courtesy call that as a member of East Asia Summit, New Zealand will make policy recommendations at regional governmental meetings, such as the EAS, aimed at furthering East Asia's economic integration.

During the bilateral meeting at the Asean Secretariat, McCully reiterated that New Zealand has a strong commitment to Asean and will place more effort in enhancing its relations with the region.

McCully emphasised the importance of Asean especially in economic linkages in view of the recently concluded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), which represents the most comprehensive agreement ever concluded by Asean with its Dialogue Partners.

Dr Surin and McCully stressed the importance of the private sector in driving the implementation of the FTA.

Both sides also spoke about the future direction of EAS. Dr. Surin said that New Zealand's experience and expertise in human resource development, climate change and the environment can be areas of cooperation in the EAS process.

The two leaders further explored the possibility of upgrading ASEAN-New Zealand relations to a strategic dialogue partnership in view of the 35 years milestone in dialogue relations since ASEAN-New Zealand dialogue relations was first established in 1975. Both parties are now implementing the ASEAN-New Zealand Framework for Cooperation 2006-2010 which aims at promoting and enhancing dialogue relations.

Earlier, Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean has also expressed similar support to ERIA. Joint press statement on Asean plus Three Cooperation in Response to the Global Economic and Financial Crisis on 3 June 2009 said that ASEAN-led consultations among various organizations and fora in the region including ERIA would contribute to safeguarding the region from future regional and global economic and financial crisis.

Experts from 16-member countries are currently pooling their experience and knowledge to do joint research projects contributing to better policy development for East Asia.