The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the EU (European Union) signed two declarations on Thursday afternoon to enable the EU to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia.

The two declarations, one is the "ASEAN Declaration of Consent to the Accession to TAC" and the other is "Declaration on Accession to the TAC", were signed by Kasit Piromya, Thailand foreign minister, and Jan Kohout, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic during the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) held here on Thursday.

"The European Union and European Community declares its intent to accede to the Treaty, on the basis of the letter of application of December 6, 2006," EU's declaration said. While the ASEAN said it declares the consent of all the states in Southeast Asia to the accession to the Treaty by the EU and EC.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said in his earlier keynote address that "the signing of these documents represents another significant step forward in ASEAN-EU relations."

Hor Namhong, Cambodia's foreign minister and co-president of the meeting, said that "this accession will certainly contribute to peace, security and stability in the region."

This biennial ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting was attended by representatives from all the 10 ASEAN countries and the 27 EU member states, as well as delegates from the ASEAN Secretariat and EU Commission.

Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong and Jan Kohout, Czech deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs whose country is current EU president, are co-presidents of the meeting.

The 16th Ministerial Meeting between the ASEAN and EU was held in Germany in 2007.

The ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2009)