ASEAN: Opening remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the 25th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting

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Excellencies,

Colleagues,

On behalf of the European Union, let me start by extending our gratitude to Brunei for hosting us here today. I also wanted to thank my colleagues both from ASEAN and across the EU who have travelled here for this 25th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

As we gather here, the world is being tested as never before.

The war in the Middle East has triggered a global energy crisis that will affect all of us for years to come. Although no nation is spared, the economies of Southeast Asian nations are among those most affected. The war is driving up energy, food, fertiliser and transport costs, fuelling inflation, and slowing growth.

Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine continued to erode the very foundations of the UN Charter.

This is a stress test for the international order. It is precisely in times like these that international cooperation and partnerships are of the utmost importance.

Colleagues,

When we last met in Brussels, Dato Erywan, our kind host today, posed the question, 'What kind of partnership do we want'?

Here is my answer: we want a partnership strategic in vision and concrete in action.

Because in a world defined by rising geopolitical competition, the EU and ASEAN cannot afford to drift apart. We must stand together in defence of the UN Charter, multilateralism, and the rules-based international order.

But vision must be matched by action. That is why our partnership must produce results people can see and feel.

Trade is a strong foundation. The EU is already ASEAN's third-largest trading partner. We already have:

• two FTAs in force - with Singapore and Vietnam
• the recent trade deal with Indonesia [CEPA, Comprehensive Economic Partnership]
• and the good progress in talks with the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia,

But trade alone is not enough. Security is now inseparable from prosperity.

We must go further to focus on security because wars and threats do not respect borders. A cyberattack in one region can cripple another. Misused Artificial Intelligence could cause widespread instability. Right now, companies are self-regulating. But can we eternally put our citizens' safety in their hands or do we act together as responsible international actors?

While wars dominate headlines, it is our people and our planet that pay the price.

From supply chain resilience to digital and green transition, from the protection of the undersea critical infrastructure to maritime security, these are the arteries of our economies. And they are vulnerable. Our prosperity hinges on our collective action.

Together, the EU and ASEAN must ensure a transition that is fair, secure and sustainable.

Excellencies, colleagues,

This is how we can deliver real results that we can celebrate next year, when we elevate our relations to a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership. A partnership that is stable, predictable and reliable, one that delivers for our people in every area that counts.

We look forward to strengthening our bonds in the years ahead.

Thank you.