Indonesia Pushes for ASEAN-EU Cooperation Amid Global Crisis
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha C. Nasir assessed that the partnership between ASEAN and the European Union is becoming increasingly strategic amid global uncertainties.
“The ASEAN-EU partnership is not merely symbolic. Its benefits must be directly felt by societies and business actors, and it must be reliable for markets,” he stated in a press release from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (29/4).
To that end, Arrmanatha said both sides need to promote the realisation of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between ASEAN and the European Union.
He delivered this statement at the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on Tuesday.
The meeting was co-chaired by Brunei’s Second Foreign Minister and the European Union’s High Representative.
The forum discussed efforts to strengthen a strategic partnership that is equal and mutually beneficial between the two regions.
The ASEAN-EU partnership will enter its 50th year in 2027.
The meeting was also used to exchange views on regional and global issues.
Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister hopes that the European Union can play a constructive role amid geopolitical and geoeconomic dynamics.
He encouraged cooperation between ASEAN, the European Union, and Global South countries to maintain an open, fair, and stable international system.
Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister also highlighted the importance of reforming the multilateral system as well as collaboration between the two regions in realising more inclusive, effective, and responsive global governance.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Nasir held a courtesy meeting with Brunei’s Foreign Minister and the European Union’s High Representative.
He also conducted bilateral meetings with deputy foreign ministers from Austria, Poland, Portugal, and Germany.
The meeting was attended by ministers and deputy foreign ministers from ASEAN and the European Union, emphasising the importance of multilateralism and respect for international law.
Cooperation in energy, food, connectivity, digital transformation, maritime affairs, and trade became the main priorities.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint statement by the ASEAN-EU foreign ministers.
The partnership between the two regions has been established since 1977 and is assessed to have great potential in shaping a more stable, inclusive, and sustainable global order.