EU Keen To Broaden Trade With ASEAN – Kallas

By Rohani Mohd Ibrahim

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Bernama) -- The European Union (EU) is keen to develop and diversify trade portfolios with ASEAN, recognising the increasing importance of the bloc, said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

She emphasised that the EU-ASEAN partnership is strategic, particularly in today’s turbulent global environment, and described it also as a security partnership.

“EU is the stability factor in Europe whereas ASEAN I think it is in this region,” she told selected media on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings on Friday. 

According to Kallas, EU and ASEAN should collaborate closely,  as both groupings believe in free trade. 

We (EU and ASEAN) should really have a free trade agreement and of course work is ongoing. It is not easy but I think it is important, she said.  

The official EU website states that dialogue between the EU and ASEAN has spanned for over 50 years. In December 2020, the two organisations established a Strategic Partnership, marking a new phase in their enduring relationship.

For the period 2021–2027, the EU has allocated €180 million to support regional cooperation with ASEAN, focusing on key areas aligned with the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership.

In 2027, the EU and ASEAN will mark the 60th anniversary of their relations.

The EU is made up of 27 countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, and Sweden.

The 58th AMM and related meetings, held under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ took place from July 8 - 11.

The four-day high-level events gathered around 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, ASEAN Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) participants, Sectoral Dialogue Partners, and senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat.

-- BERNAMA