The EU and ASEAN commit to cooperate on security, trade and recovery from the pandemic for five years

BRUSSELS, Aug. 4 (EUROPE PRESS) –

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced this Thursday the adoption of an agreement between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to cooperate over the next five years in areas such as recovery from the pandemic, trade or security, among others.

The EU and ASEAN have adopted an action plan for the period from 2023 to 2027, under which cooperation will also be promoted in other areas such as climate change, research or sustainable connectivity based on rules.

“This document is a testimony to the success of our strategic association, due to the wide range of areas of cooperation that we have agreed on”, said the head of European diplomacy in an appearance within the framework of the ministerial meeting between the EU and the ASEAN in Cambodia.

This five-year action plan, which replaces the previous agreement for the period from 2018 to 2022, also includes economic cooperation to expand investments, promote agreements between the private and public sectors, strengthen small and medium-sized companies as well as the cooperation with the food, fisheries, agriculture, aquaculture and forestry sectors.

In addition, this agreement aims to promote Human Rights, gender equality, the rights of women and children, the elderly and migrant workers.

In the area of ​​security, the five-year pact includes the fight against terrorism and international crimes, promoting disarmament and improving maritime security, among other points.

In a further step, the EU High Representative has indicated that he hopes to sign a comprehensive air transport agreement with ASEAN partners “by the end of this year”.

On the other hand, Borrell has indicated that he hopes to “receive the ASEAN leaders in Brussels in December” of this year to commemorate 45 years of relations between the two regions.

The head of European diplomacy has also referred to Ukraine to highlight the EU’s efforts to help the country “maintain its territorial integrity” and has condemned the “acts of violence inflicted by Russian forces on the civilian population”.

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