Romania has appointed Gheorghe Vilcu as the country's ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a statement from the ASEAN Secretariat said here Tuesday.

The new ambassador becomes the ninth ambassador to ASEAN, who comes from the European Union (EU).

Vilcu presented his letter of appointment to ASEAN Secretary- General Surin Pitsuwan, following the ambassadors of Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, and the United Kingdom. "This is a positive gesture of enthusiasm from Romania to build stronger cooperation with ASEAN," said Pitsuwan.

"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."

Under the ASEAN Charter, non-ASEAN countries may accredit ambassadors to ASEAN. As one of ASEAN's Dialogue Partners, EU has announced that each of the 27 EU members shall appoint its ambassador to ASEAN. The European Commission has already appointed an ambassador to ASEAN.