ASEAN to assess partnership applications from Ecuador, DPRK, Mongolia

The secretary-general of ASEAN will conduct an assessment on the applications for formal partnership with association from Ecuador, DPRK and Mongolia, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said here Sunday.

In the press conference after the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings, Anifah said that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting discussed applications for Formal Partnership with ASEAN by Ecuador for Development Partner status, and DPRK as well as Mongolia for Dialogue Partner status.

"The meeting agreed for the secretary-general of ASEAN to conduct an assessment on the applications, in consultation with the Committee of Permanent Representatives, and submit the results of the assessment," he said.

ASEAN had formalized partnership with several countries including Australia, China, Canada, European Union, New Zealand, South Korea and Pakistan. Enditem