At the 24th summit between the European Union and the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), held in Brussels on Friday 2 February, the partners demonstrated their determination to implement the commitments they had made jointly and to further strengthen their partnership.
The last EU/ASEAN summit was held in 2022 (see EUROPE 13084/20). It marked a major commitment on the part of the EU as part of its ‘Global Gateway’ initiative, with €10 billion mobilised for connectivity projects in ASEAN countries.
“Today we are translating our commitments into action by reviewing the implementation of these leaders’ decisions and agreeing on the next steps”, summed up the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, who chaired the EU/Indo Pacific Forum on the same day (see other news).
This EU/ASEAN ministerial meeting was also co-chaired by Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. He highlighted the essential role of ASEAN and the EU “in promoting and advancing universal values such as (...) international law, a rules-based international order, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, where peace, security and prosperity are maintained”.
The EU is the third biggest investor in the Indo-Pacific region, as the leaders of the two blocs pointed out in their joint declaration. They also reaffirmed “their commitment to build on this positive momentum to intensify trade and investment between ASEAN and the EU”.
This will involve bilateral agreements, whether under negotiation or already signed, as well as the resolution of “long-standing” disputes relating to market access, the authors of the declaration stated.
Indonesia, for example, has taken the EU to the World Trade Organization over its Renewable Energy Directive, which it claims discriminates against certain Indonesian products for export, such as palm oil for biofuels.
The ASEAN and EU leaders also called on all countries not to hinder the global flow of essential agricultural products. “The importance of security and stability in the Black Sea, a crucial passage for Ukrainian cereal exports”, was stressed.
They also reiterated their commitment to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as well as implementing the decisions taken at COP28 (see EUROPE 13313/16).
With regard to security challenges at sea, the parties reiterate the importance of “respect for the rule of law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the peaceful settlement of disputes”. In particular, they wish to promote peace, security and stability in the South China Sea and welcome the progress made in the negotiations on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC).
On Myanmar, the partners state that the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus remains the main reference for addressing the political crisis, and they strongly condemn the continuing violence, urging all parties concerned to take concrete steps to end it.
Finally, with regard to the crisis in the Middle East, the parties condemn all attacks on civilians and take “note of the call by some (of them) for a lasting ceasefire”. They call for rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, for the protection of civilians, and for the parties involved to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
To see the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/aph (Original version in French by Léa Marchal and Pauline Denys)