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The EU and ASEAN both see regional cooperation and integration conducive to stability and peace. We support multilateralism and a global rules-based order. Today the EU and ASEAN have extensive bilateral ties through trade and investment. There is more potential to elevate the economic ties to the next level. New free trade agreements with individual ASEAN member states are being negotiated. Southeast Asia is located one of the world's busiest shipping routes. It is often where geopolitical interests are high too.

Our bilateral relation is getting richer with shared interest on connectivity, climate change, human rights, sustainable development and promotion of regional and global security. In December 2020 the EU and ASEAN elevated their longstanding relationship to becoming Strategic Partners.

This legislature the delegation will continue engaging to support democratic values and human rights in the region.

Mutual understanding can be fostered through political dialogues and people-to-people exchanges. I want to highlight the parliamentary dimension. We need regular bilateral contacts between Members of the two regions. Bilateral exchanges with parliamentarians are essential and should be fostered. We also need to develop our relations with the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA). We welcome the positive momentum of the annual Inter-Regional EP-AIPA Dialogues and will work to develop the dialogues further together with AIPA members.

I look forward to working together with DASE colleagues and promoting our relations with Southeast Asia.


Wouter Beke

Chairman of the ASEAN Delegation