ASEAN AND EU SET TO CONVENE 4TH JOINT WORKING GROUP ON PALM OIL

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, May 9 (Bernama) -- Representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) are preparing for the 4th Joint Working Group (JWG) on Palm Oil, underscoring their commitment to collaboration in this critical sector.

This commitment was emphasised during the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) held in Jakarta on Wednesday, where both sides explored avenues for further partnership.

In a joint statement, they stated that the next JWG meeting aims to "continue promoting mutual understanding on the sustainable production of vegetable oils and addressing challenges in this sector in a holistic, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner."

The upcoming JWG builds on previous meetings, including the inaugural session in January 2021, followed by subsequent sessions in June 2022 and June 2023.

Meanwhile, representatives from both sides also acknowledged common transboundary threats to peace, security, and stability in ASEAN and the EU, including terrorism, violent extremism, and cyber-attacks.

During the JCC, they also emphasised other challenges, such as maritime security issues, illicit trade, and the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

Reaffirming their commitment to strengthening ASEAN-EU cooperation and upholding ASEAN Centrality, representatives noted that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific share relevant fundamental principles.

According to the statement, both parties will explore potential collaboration in the four priority areas of the AOIP and the seven priority areas of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Laos outlined its priorities and key deliverables under the theme of "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience" for its chairmanship in 2024.

The meeting was co-chaired by Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana and head of the South-East Asia Division at the European External Action Service, Leila Fernández Stembridge.

-- BERNAMA