ASEAN sets out to plot security

ASEAN sets out to plot security

SINGAPORE (AFP): Top officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday set out to plot a framework to enhance regional security, and discuss dates for a summit of Asian and European leaders.

Kamil Jaafar, secretary-general of Malaysia's foreign ministry, said ASEAN's senior officials would draw up a list of participants and possible dates for the Asia-EU summit, expected to be held early next year.

Thailand has agreed to host the summit, proposed by Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong during his visit to France in October, Kamil said.

He is leading a Malaysian delegation to the three-day meeting on Singapore's Sentosa Island resort. Brunei is chairing the talks.

Officials would also plough through proposed "confidence- building" measures for the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), to work out a framework agreeable to all in ASEAN before taking it up with the world's major powers.