EU proposes to scale up its partnership with ASEAN

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the European Commission have adopted the Joint Communication: “The EU and ASEAN: a partnership with a strategic purpose”. The Joint Communication puts forward concrete ideas for taking EU-ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) relations to the next level by providing a more coherent framework for sectoral cooperation and by ensuring a sharper political focus. “The partnership between the EU and ASEAN is crucial and we are determined to build on it and strengthen our political and economic cooperation. From trade to security, from climate change to the rule of law, we have a deep cooperation and as the EU we are supporting ASEAN integration. Deepening and broadening our relation with ASEAN is key for the EU’s Asia strategy,” said High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini. A press release is available online.