Looking back to our last meeting in Bangkok and reviewing the issues we touched upon there, we will realize that considerable progress was made on many regards. At the same time, a number of problems remain unsolved, new, uncertainties have emerged. We have to sustain our joint efforts in order to obtain satisfactory progress for stability and peace in the region and world-wide.

We may undoubtedly be justified in congratulating ourselves on the recent release of Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi. However we should not confine ourselves, to applauding this Occurrence and thus lose sight of the fact that, within the climate of political normalisation, there is still a long way to go in Myanmar. Although the release of Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi is an encouraging sign, we should expect more substantial progress towards the normalisation of this country's Political life, which is becoming an urgent necessity.

The US agreements with Northern Korea concerning the nuclear issue are another promising element which indicates that dialogue is the suitable instrument for resolving tensions. We welcome the recent direct talks between North and South Korea on the provision of rice to the North and hope these talks will lead to, broader dialogue between the two. We believe such a dialogue is essential for lasting peace and stability to be achieved on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

The archipelago of the Spratly Islands has likewise been a scene of tense moments for the countries of the region. We may rightly congratulate ourselves on the preventive diplomacy practiced by China and the Philippines in their claims to this archipelago. I recall the European Union's Declaration of 2 March 1995 regarding the situation in the South China Sea and urge all the parties concerned to continue ,with efforts to resolve the disputed claims peacefully through dialogue.

Precisely one of the fruits of dialogue we are presently reaping is the recent establishment of diplomatic relations between United States and Vietnam, which have proven that conflicts, however deep, can be overcome. The European Union takes the opportunity to congratulate Vietnam on her joining the family of the ASEAN countries and is convinced she will contribute to peace and stability in the region and collaborate with the countries engaged in dialogue with the ASEAN, together with those who are gathered here today. Proof of the European Union's interest in establishing closer relations with Vietnam is the signing of a trade and cooperation agreement between the EC and Vietnam in Brussels on 17 July.

We similarly applaud the continuing of talks between Jakarta and Lisbon over East Timor, thus carrying on the practice established years ago by the Foreign Ministers of both countries under the auspices of the Secretary General of the United Nations and we likewise welcome the intratimorese dialogue which will doubtlessly play a part in relieving the tense, complicated atmosphere which still prevails in East Timor.

The past year has also witnessed a consolidation of the political settlement in Cambodia. The democratic principles that this process enshrines are of fundamental importance, and the EU hopes that the Cambodian government will work to ensure these are upheld as reconstruction proceeds.

Mr. Chairman,

In the Asia-Pacific region, as in other areas of the world, the political panorama alternates between light and shade. On behalf of the European Union, I would like to under line the positive aspects which have taken place during the last twelve months and ,make them stand out for what they really are : that is, the result of a sustained effort by several countries to guarantee peace, stability and prosperity in the region. The certain degree of optimism on which we may congratulate ourselves, should not, I insist, allow us to forget that the effort shown so far must be doubled if we are to consolidate the achievement attained and ensure that further ground is gained in this field.

In this sense, I repeat the appeal which was launched by the Union in Bangkok last year for an ongoing support of the reconstruction and institution- building effort in Cambodia. I extend this appeal, in the case of Myanmar, for the support of the necessary national reconciliation and human rights promotion in that country.

Mr. Chairman, Spain assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July. Since the signing of the Treaty of the Union, the need has been felt to reform its functioning in order to improve the efficiency of its internal and external working and guarantee greater transparency and solidarity. One of the priority area. of Spain's presidency is, therefore, the preparation of the 1996 intergovernmental conference which will lay the foundations of a wider union able to welcome prospective members from Central Europe and the Mediterranean in a process that Spain fully supports.

We likewise wish for a Europe that is strong, stable, safe and open to the rest of the world. In this sense, Spain will encourage the establishment of a structured relation with the Central and Eastern European Countries, negotiate new agreements with Republics of the Community of Independent States, support the establishment of an association with the Mediterranean Countries (including a Euromediterranean Conference in Barcelona), boost the strengthening of ties with Latin America, seek to fortify transatlantic relations with the United States and enhance relations with the Asian countries.

Regarding Asia, in the last few years Spain has striven to increase her presence in this continent, with the enormous interest and respect of a country that recognises the task of modernisation (which can be appreciated from the indicators of economic growth) and of improving the cultural level of the countries in the area.

The Spanish presidency has borne in mind the characteristics of these countries and, in particular, of the ASEAN which has built an extremely solid framework for regional identity in Southeast Asia. The Spanish presidency wishes to point out an additional effort of what has been her policy for the Asia Pacific region in recent years.

This policy has been enhanced by superior level contacts with the countries in the region and has recently been focused on some of the ASEAN countries, as is the case of Malaysia and the Philippines, a country with which Spain shares lineage and in which she is interested in maintaining privileged relations.

As I have pointed out, Asia is one of the priority area. of our presidency. The Asian countries play an increasingly active role in the international economic community. For this reason, the Spanish presidency aims to encourage economic relations and cooperation with all the countries in the region, including the negotiation of new agreements with some of them, such as Korea, Pakistan, Cambodia, Laos, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Still on the subject of the ASEAN, we are waiting for the results of the eminent persons group of both regions, in order to ascertain how we can further strengthen and enrich relations between the European Union and a top priority area for Europe. I would therefore like to announce that Spain has appointed Ambassador Tomas Chavarri as facilitateur for the preparations of the 1996 Bangkok meeting. Italy, on her part, has appointed Ambassador Bucci as Italian facilitateur.

Mr. Chairman, the European Union has been following with utmost interest the rapid evolution of ASEAN as one of the essential pillars of co-operation and stability in Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region. In this sense, the manifold initiatives of ASEAN in an ever wider and increasing number of fields can count on the active support of the European Union.

Mr. Chairman, the Vice President of the European Commission will tackle the different aspects of economic relations between the Union and Asia. Nevertheless, allow me to conclude by stressing the importance which the Union attributes to the strengthening of our commercial relations and to increased bilateral cooperations.