Arancha González Laya commits to sustainable recovery, increased trade and the re-establishment of connectivity at EU-ASEAN meeting

The meeting was used to revise the degree of compliance with the work programme agreed between the two regional organisations and reflect on future relations between the two blocs.

The Foreign Affairs Ministers of the EU and ASEAN decided to step up relations between the two regional blocs at a strategic level, which involves strengthened cooperation in all areas and introduces a new work area in the field of security.

In her speech, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation welcomed strengthened cooperation between the EU and ASEAN, and mentioned the need to search for a coordinated and multilateral response to the many challenges imposed by Covid-19, both at a health and an economic level. She proposed a sustainable recovery, the removal of trade barriers and establishing a level playing field. The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs also referred to the need to re-establish connectivity between our countries, foster safe electronic commerce and promote the necessary infrastructures that comply with international standards to strengthen relations between Europe and Southeast Asia to achieve their full potential.

The EU and ASEAN have been in dialogue and cooperated for more than 40 years, making them two of the most important regional integration organisations in the world. As a result of this work, the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2012, which led to the introduction of various levels of political dialogue and a far-reaching and varied programme of joint activities. ASEAN is made up of 10 States from Southeast Asia - a region that is characterised by high levels of stability and sustainable and fast growth.

Non official translation