(VNA):  Economic ministers of ASEAN and the European Union discussed the prospects for the two groups' cooperation during their sixth consultation conference in Viet Nam's northern resort city of Ha Long, Quang Ninh province, on April 27.

The ASEAN and EU ministers focused discussions on how to carry out the Trans-regional ASEAN-EU Trade Initiative (TREATI).

They highlighted EU's assistance to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the latter's endeavours to integrate economically within the framework of the TREATI.

They also recommended that the two groups boost trans-regional cooperation and mutual assistance in four out of the 11 fields enjoying ASEAN's priority for integration, farm produce, electronic products, seafood and wooden furniture. These priority fields were approved at the fifth ASEAN-EU Consultation Conference between economic ministers in Jakarta, Indonesia, last September.

Representatives of some ASEAN member countries asked for additional clarification of other cooperative activities within TREATI in the future, emphasising the practicality of learning about EU's regional integration experiences.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson affirmed that TREATI will serve as an important foundation for future cooperation between the EU and ASEAN.

Participants agreed upon the setting up of a joint working group which will examine the feasibility of the establishment of an ASEAN-EU free trade area and orient ASEAN-EU economic cooperation in the coming time.

ASEAN ministers expressed their interest in the EU Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) for developing countries in the ASEAN and said they hoped the EU would apply this programme soon to benefit developing countries.

The EU Trade Commissioner told the participants that the EU GSP will likely be applicable in this July.

On other issues, ASEAN and EU officials affirmed they back the World Trade Organisation's multilateral trade system and Doha talks. They expressed their hope for Viet Nam and Laos's early accomplishment of negotiations for admission to the world biggest trade body.