East Asia summit calls for networked Nalanda varsity
26 Oct 2009
The Association of South East Asian Nations and its dialogue partners concluded the 15th summit in Cha-am Hua Hin in Thailand with a joint press statement on the revival of Nalanda University as a non-state, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution with a continental focus.
Leaders said in line with decision of the 2nd East Asia Summit (EAS) in Cebu in 2007, education would be a priority area of EAS cooperation. The summit also agreed on networking and collaboration between the university and existing centres of excellence in the EAS participating countries to build a community of learning.
As part of the East Asia community building, they also discussed and exchanged views on some other critical issues like the global economic and financial crisis and climate change.
During the ASEAN-India summit, leaders reviewed the progress of joint activities under the plan of action to implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity signed in 2004. This included co-operation in the areas of science and technology, combating terrorism and human resource development.
The leaders noted that there was potential to broaden and deepen the ASEAN-India relations. In this respect, they called for the early ratification of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement. The ASEAN leaders further welcomed a range of new proposals by India, such as an open skies policy, enhanced youth and parliamentarians exchange, and increased cooperation on agriculture, climate change and space technology.
Australia, New Zealand FTA from January
The agreement establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) will enter into force on 1 January 2010.
.webp)
