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Peace and prosperity are among the key lessons of socio-economic integration for Europe, South-East Asia and beyond, according to the European Union's most senior representative to Laos.
Charg d'Affaires of the EU Delegation in Laos, Michel Goffin made the comments to members of the press Thursday as the 28- country grouping prepares to celebrate the 65th anniversary.
Ambassadors of France, Germany and Britain were also in attendance.
Goffin said despite differences in relation to issues of structure and sovereignty, the Association of South-East Asian nations (ASEAN) and the EU had a wealth of lessons and experiences to share.
He also said the EU and its individual member states remained highly committed to providing development assistance to the region with a focus on least developed countries such as Laos, particularly in the areas of childhood nutrition, education and good governance.
"We assist Laos and many other countries out of a moral obligation to alleviate poverty, but its also in our interest as we want Laos to become a sound, economically-developed country in a growing region," Goffin said.
"It is important for the countries of the EU that all 10 countries in ASEAN have equitable and sustainable economic growth so they can participate in that relationship," he added.
Europe is the second largest investor in ASEAN, which was also the Union's third largest trading partner, making the two increasingly important destinations for each others goods and services.
Laos is one of 10 South-East Asian member states working to establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) to facilitate greater of trade, investment and skilled labor flows following its proclamation due by the end of 2015.
Goffin also identified climate change as a key area where the EU had shown strength of leadership, and commended Laos for its acknowledgement of the challenges and commitment to curb growth in emissions despite its status as a Least Developed Country (LDC). Enditem
