25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting convenes in Brunei Darussalam
WVR - On April 28, in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei Darussalam), the 25th ASEAN-European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held with the participation of Foreign Ministers and representatives from ASEAN countries and 27 EU member states.
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| ASEAN Ministers and EU representatives before the opening session of the Meeting, at the International Convention Centre in the capital Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. (Source: VNA) |
The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, in his capacity as the coordinating country for ASEAN-EU relations for the 2024-2027 term, and Ms. Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission (EC), High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.
At the meeting, the Ministers expressed deep concern over the rapid and complex developments in the global and regional situation, including ongoing conflicts worldwide, which have far-reaching impacts on the economy, trade, energy, and global supply chains. The countries emphasized that ASEAN and the EU share common importance and interests in maintaining peace and stability for development, strengthening multilateral institutions and the United Nations, promoting dialogue, trust, adherence to international law, peaceful resolution of disputes, as well as cooperation against transnational crime, cybersecurity, and maritime security.
Based on the positive progress in ASEAN-EU relations and cooperation in recent times, the countries agreed to continue enhancing bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, and digital connectivity. Both sides agreed to soon implement the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA) – the first air transport agreement between two regional organizations in the world, to enhance connectivity between people and economies of the two regions and promote cooperation in the digital economy based on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
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| Overview of the opening session of the ASEAN-EU Mini Meeting. (Source: TTXVN) |
Emphasizing the importance of effectively leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the EU's FTAs with Vietnam and Singapore, ASEAN and the EU also aim to establish an ASEAN-EU FTA in the long term. The countries will also continue to promote cooperation in addressing climate change, environmental protection, disaster management, green transition, and sustainable development, education, and people-to-people exchanges based on EU's cooperation programs and support initiatives for ASEAN, including the Global Gateway, the ASEAN-EU Sustainable Connectivity Program (SCOPE), and the ASEAN-EU Green Initiative.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations in 2027, both sides agreed to coordinate the organization of a commemorative summit in Singapore. ASEAN and the EU will also explore the possibility of upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future. EU countries affirmed their support for ASEAN's central role through ASEAN-led mechanisms and the ASEAN Community building process.
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| Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung at the Conference. (Source: VN)A |
Speaking at the Meeting, Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that Vietnam and ASEAN value their partnership with the EU and support enhancing comprehensive, substantive, and effective cooperation between ASEAN and the EU.
Sharing the countries' assessments of the shifts and changes in the global geopolitical and geo-economic landscape, the challenges and opportunities for increased ASEAN-EU cooperation, the Foreign Minister emphasized that the two regions and two organizations have many shared strategic interests and similar views on many important issues. Both are successful models of regional integration, making continued coordination and cooperation between ASEAN and the EU strategically significant in the current regional and global context.
The Foreign Minister also suggested that both sides enhance strategic dialogue, mutual understanding, coordination in preventing, managing, and responding to common challenges, as well as discussing new cooperation methods and areas such as moving towards building an inter-regional FTA, accelerating the ratification and implementation of CATA, and adopting the ASEAN-EU Digital Trade Code by 2026.
At the conclusion of the Meeting, both sides adopted a Joint Declaration reflecting the contents and outcomes of the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting.
