欧盟、东盟愿开展自由贸易谈判

In his speech, ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan threw a light-hearted jab at his European counterparts.

东盟秘书长素林在发言中跟欧洲伙伴开了一个小玩笑。

"In 1997, Europe told us, put your house in order," said Pitsuwan. "This time, we appeal to Europe, put your house in order."

他说：“1997年，欧洲对我们说，把你们自己的问题理顺。这次我们向欧洲呼吁，把你们的自己的事情理顺。”

Trade between the two regions is significant. ASEAN as a whole is the EU's third largest trading partner, while the EU is ASEAN's second largest. Surin says these vital economic ties must grow to form a buffer against future financial challenges.

两个地区间的贸易具有相当潜力。东盟整体来说，组成了欧盟第三大贸易伙伴，反过来，欧盟是东盟国家的第二大贸易伙伴。素林说，这些关键的经济联系必须增长，以便能够形成一个应对未来金融挑战的缓冲机制。

"This is where both the business communities in ASEAN and the EU must engage themselves to mitigate the effects of these new dynamics, through trade, through investment, through technology, to further elevate our partnership, our cooperation and our connectivity, so that more opportunities can be created and more businesses are able to take advantage of our partnerships and to alleviate or reduce the uncertainties within the two regions," said Pitsuwan.

素林说：“东盟和欧盟两个机构之间的商贸界必须让自己有能力参与其中，以便通过贸易、投资、科技等减轻这些新动态变化的影响，进而进一步发展我们之间的伙伴关系、我们的合作和我们的联络，以便创造出更多的机会，让更多的商贸能在我们的伙伴关系中受益，降低或减少两地区之间的不确定性。”