The Euro-Southeast Asia Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Forum opened in Singapore's Shangri-la Hotel Monday.

More than 800 delegates representing the world's leading government, business and research organizations from over 60 countries and regions around the globe are participating in the two-day meeting.

They are expected to exchange views on issues concerning ICT policies, regulations and research, such as ICT for natural disasters, telecom regulatory framework and e-government, in a total of 24 discussion sessions.

Speaking at the opening of the forum, Singapore's Second Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Vivian Balakrishnan called for greater collaboration on ICT between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU).

"The first is expanded cooperation in research and development, " said Balakrishnan, who is also the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. He urged countries in the two regions to make full use of the second generation Trans-Eurasia Information Network.

He also suggested that members of the ASEAN and the EU cooperate in the areas of international Internet policies and telecom regulation.

The Euro-Southeast Asia ICT Forum is organized with the support of the European Commission and the ASEAN.

Source: Xinhua