Introduction

Welcome to the website of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The EU and ASEAN are like-minded partners. Both organisations have a mutual interest in multilateralism and a global rules-based order. They see regional cooperation and integration as the most effective way to foster stability, build prosperity and address global challenges.

Against this background, the EU and ASEAN have built strong trade and economic links - as well as links in other areas. Issues that bind the partners include connectivity, climate change, human rights, sustainable development, security and counter terrorism.

In January 2019, the EU and ASEAN reached an agreement in principle to establish a strategic partnership. Another example of cooperation can be found in the ongoing negotiations on a Civil Aviation Transport Agreement (CATA). A region-to-region Free Trade Agreement remains an ambitious project for the future.

To complete this relationship, the Delegation believes in the importance of the parliamentary extension of EU-ASEAN relations. This requires regular bilateral contacts between the European Parliament and its counterparts in the region, and strengthening the relations with the ASEAN Interparliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

I look forward to working together with my colleagues in DASE on these goals.

Daniel Caspary

Chairman of the ASEAN Delegation