*EPF308 11/17/2004
Text: U.S., ASEAN to Launch New Training, Technical Assistance Program
(Initiative intended to promote regional economic integration) (480)

The U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will launch a $1.78 million training and technical assistance program to promote regional economic integration.

In a statement released November 16, the State Department said the 18-month program will support the ASEAN Secretariat as well as ASEAN efforts to address transnational issues such as maritime security and counterterrorism.

This new program is part of the broader ASEAN Cooperation Plan (ACP) announced by Secretary of State Colin Powell in a meeting with ASEAN Ministers on August 1, 2002. The ACP, with projects totaling approximately $9 million, supports U.S.-ASEAN cooperation in such areas as protection of intellectual property rights, competition policy, information technology and environmental and health issues.

ASEAN members include: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

ASEAN was established in 1967 to promote economic growth and social progress in the Asia-Pacific region. The ASEAN region, with a population of about 500 million, has a combined gross domestic product of $737 billion and total trade of $720 billion.

Following is the text of the announcement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 16, 2004

The United States and Association of Southeast Asian Nations Launch New Training and Technical Assistance Program

The third meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - U.S. Informal Coordinating Mechanism (ICM) took place in Bangkok on November 1, 2004. The ICM reviews progress on development projects between the United States and ASEAN, and considers proposals for further cooperation. At the meeting, the United States and ASEAN launched a new program to provide technical assistance and training to ASEAN Secretariat and member country officials. The United States provided $1.78 million to fund the 18-month program, which will support ASEAN activities in promoting regional economic integration, addressing transnational issues and supporting the ASEAN Secretariat.

This new program is part of the broader ASEAN Cooperation Plan (ACP), announced by Secretary Powell in a meeting with ASEAN Ministers on August 1, 2002. The ACP, with projects totaling approximately $9 million, supports U.S.-ASEAN cooperation in such areas as protection of intellectual property rights, competition policy, information technology, environmental and health issues, and transnational issues such as maritime security and counter terrorism. The aim of the United States is to assist ASEAN to integrate and build capacity, and to strengthen U.S.-ASEAN relations. These projects involve a variety of U.S. government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector, underscoring the U.S. commitment to broad engagement with ASEAN.

The United States will continue to work closely with ASEAN, through the Royal Thai Government, the ASEAN country coordinator for the United States, to tailor the ACP to address the needs of the region.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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