(VOVworld) – The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee in Paris (ACP) held a meeting on Thursday to welcome the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (center) and ASEAN leaders sign the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Establishment of the ASEAN Community and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 22, 2015. (Photo: AP)

Maria Theresa Lazaro, Philippines Ambassador to France and Rotating Chairwoman of ACP, said the establishment of the AEC is a culmination of efforts by ASEAN members for half a century.  The AEC, which comprises 3 main pillars: Politics-Security, Economics and Socio-Culture, will take regional integration to a new level, benefiting all of its members. ASEAN has a combined GDP of 2.6 trillion USD, making it the 3rd largest economy in Asia and the world's 7th largest. Phillipe Varin, Special Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who’s in charge of France's economic ties with ASEAN, said this is a chance to expand economic relations between ASEAN and France.