ROMANIAN GHEORGHE VILCU NOW AMBASSADOR TO ASEAN

JAKARTA, April 20 (Bernama) -- Romania has appointed its ambassador to
Indonesia, Gheorghe Vilcu, as the country's ambassador to Asean as well.

Vilcu presented his letter of appointment to Asean Secretary-General Dr
Surin Pitsuwan at the regional grouping's secretariat here Monday, making him
the ninth ambassador from the European Union (EU) to Asean after those from
Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece and United
Kingdom.

Surin said Vilcu's appointment was a positive gesture of enthusiasm from
Romania to build stronger cooperation with Asean.

"Romania is one of the youngest members of EU. We welcome this expression of
goodwill from Bucharest, making Romania one of the first few to appoint an
ambassador to Asean," he said in a statement.

Under the Asean Charter, non-member countries may accredit ambassadors to
the grouping.

EU, as one of Asean's dialogue partners, has announced that each of its 27
member states shall appoint its ambassador to Asean and that the European
Commission has already appointed its ambassador to Asean.
-- BERNAMA