The Blue Book is a testament to the robust and comprehensive cooperation between ASEAN and the EU to ensure regional peace and security, foster sustainable connectivity, promote free and fair trade, and advance sustainable development across ASEAN.
While reviewing important milestones in ASEAN – EU relations, the Blue Book held that the two sides have undergone a long journey since the EU became ASEAN's Dialogue Partner in 1977.
The bilateral relationship has been developed based on common values and goals.
With the aspiration to further expand cooperation, ASEAN and the EU elevated their relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2020.
Marking a new milestone in the bilateral cooperation, the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations at the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit, held in the Belgian capital Brussels in December 2022, approved a Joint Leaders’ Statement, agreeing on achievements in the bilateral ties and setting out directions for cooperation in the future, which emphasises the goal of deepening the Strategic Partnership based on international law, equal cooperation and mutual benefit.
The two sides are working together to implement the Action Plan to develop the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023-2027), focusing on fostering cooperation on all three pillars of the ASEAN Community: Political-Security Community, Economic Community, and Socio-Cultural Community; as well as in areas such as integration, narrowing the development gap, and building smart cities.
The joint efforts to effectively realise the Joint Leaders’ Statement and Action Plan were clearly stated at the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, last February in Brussels.
At the meeting, the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN affirmed that the EU is one of the most important partners of the ASEAN, stressing that ASEAN welcomes the EU’s strengthened cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia, through strategies and initiatives, such as the U Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the Global Gateway strategy, and the Team Europe Initiative on Sustainable Connectivity.
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Delegates at the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (Photo: asean.org) |
Meanwhile, EU Ministers affirmed their support for ASEAN's central role. While emphasising shared values and benefits, the EU believes that strengthening bilateral cooperation is inevitable in the context of complicated developments in the global situation.
The ASEAN-EU Blue Book emphasises considerable potential, serving as a basis for ASEAN and the EU to advance their strategic partnership.
Accordingly, the EU is ASEAN's third-largest trading partner and direct investor. Meanwhile ASEAN, as a whole, is the EU's third-largest trading partner outside Europe
In 2023, ASEAN's exports to the EU were valued at 158 billion EUR, while exports from the EU to the ASEAN reached 94 billion EUR.
According to the Blue Book, 10 million people travel between the two regions every year, including thousands of scholars and students, contributing to strengthening exchanges and connections between the two sides.
The document also mentions green and sustainable development as well as how cooperation projects and programmes between ASEAN and the EU have benefited people in the two regions.
I share the significance of the Blue Book in advancing the visibility of our partnership to generate awareness among all stakeholders in our region.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the document, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn affirmed that the ASEAN-EU Blue Book continues to serve as a valuable platform for showcasing the EU’s meaningful support towards ASEAN Community-building efforts, as well as the progress and key achievements in the implementation of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2023-2027).
“I share the significance of the Blue Book in advancing the visibility of our partnership to generate awareness among all stakeholders in our region,” he stated.
In the foreword to the Blue Book, Ambassador of the EU to ASEAN Sujiro Seam emphasised that in 47 years of their relations, ASEAN and EU have proven the strength of their strategic partnership and what they can do together in the face of global challenges.
“This Blue Book offers a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted and deep relationship between our regions and the commitments of our two regions to join hands in the pursuit of our common goals,” he stressed.
