AU set to forge ties

PRETORIA -- President Thabo Mbeki expressed the hope yesterday that closer working relations could be fostered between the Association of South East Asian Countries and the African Union.

"Both Africa and Asia, are faced with similar developmental challenges and we have the opportunity to share our experiences and resources for the mutual benefit of all our people," he told a state banquet hosted by King Preah Sihanouk and Queen Norodom Sihanouk in Cambodia. -- Sapa