EU and ASEAN relations have flourished throughout the years – in the aspects of political-security, economic, and people-to-people exchanges. In December 2020, relations were elevated into a strategic partnership as a reflection of the strengthening ties grounded on shared values of effective multilateralism and rules-based international order.
EU Ambassador Luc Véron said that the EU looks forward to collaborating with ASEAN particularly in the areas of green transition, defence and sustainable connectivity.
The EU is the ASEAN’s number one development partner and its third trade partner and investor. EU exports to ASEAN countries grew from € 54 billion in 2010 to € 85 billion in 2019 and imports increased from € 72 billion to € 125 billion euros.
“EU is committed to be a political and security actor in the region, not just as a development cooperation, trading or investment partner”, he said.
As the Philippines takes over the role of ASEAN Coordinator for Dialogue Relations with the EU from August 2021 for a period of three years, this webinar shall pave the way for a new level of relations between EU and ASEAN. The webinar is also in celebration of ASEAN Day.
This webinar aims to explore and assess the meaning and importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and ASEAN; and the partnership’s role in realizing common goals and aspirations. It also seeks to provide valuable insights specific programs and projects that could benefit both regions and form a priority list of relevant issues that EU and ASEAN can immediately work on given the pandemic.
Invited to the webinar are Philippines Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma Theresa Lazaro, Ambassador Igor Driesmans, EU Delegation to ASEAN; Director-General ASEAN – Singapore Mark Neo; and former Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert.
Ambassador Véron shall provide the welcome remarks.
This event is open to the diplomatic community, Philippine government agencies, think-tanks, academe (including students), media, and the business community.
Interested participants can register for this event thru the registration link: https://forms.gle/ejRRcmfgpi9BeALa7