The European Union and Southeast Asian countries agreed to increase political and economic cooperation during a meeting in Nuremberg, Germany. However, Myanmar's military rule posed a challenge to implementing a comprehensive free trade agreement. The foreign ministers pledged to work together on security, energy, environmental, and development issues, including combating terrorism, money laundering, cyber crime, drug trafficking, and addressing climate change. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana expressed satisfaction with the progress made in relations between the two sides, particularly in economic, trade, and political matters. He highlighted the common ground shared between the EU and the Southeast Asian countries, which are significant players in the region. Analysts believe that ASEAN is interested in strengthening its relationship with Europe in order to counterbalance China's increasing power. ASEAN also aims to create its own single market by 2015, following the success of the European Union. The EU is seeking to benefit from the potential of a 10-nation region with a population of 500 million through a free trade agreement, but ASEAN is insisting on Myanmar's inclusion in the deal. The European Union has imposed sanctions on Myanmar since its military rulers disregarded the results of a 1990 election won by the main pro-democracy party. EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Walder has expressed the EU's desire for ASEAN countries to push for improvements in human rights in Myanmar, including the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. "We want to see Burma/Myanmar undergo changes," she stated. The EU is currently working on bilateral cooperation pacts with various countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and eventually Vietnam, while awaiting a full EU-ASEAN trade deal. The EU's goal is to eventually have a free trade agreement between the two blocs, but for now they are focusing on individual agreements with different countries. While progress is being made with Indonesia, issues remain with Singapore and Thailand due to a military takeover. The EU also has concerns about human rights issues in Vietnam, as well as trade frictions. However, EU officials note that they have a rights dialogue with Hanoi, unlike with Myanmar.