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EU - ASEAN relations

The EU - ASEAN relations (Association of South East Asian Nations/ASEAN) date back to 1972, when the EU (then the European Economic Community) became the first official ASEAN Dialogue Partner. In June 2015, the EU adopted the strategy "The EU and ASEAN: a strategic partnership". At the EU - ASEAN Ministerial Conference, in August 2017, the second EU - ASEAN Action Plan for the period 2018-2022 was agreed. At the January 2019 Ministerial Conference, the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a Strategic one, strengthening their cooperation with a commitment to regular Summits at the Leaders’ level. The two regional organizations interact with each other in the economic, commercial, political and cultural fields, regional issues and the security sector. The Dialogue between the two regions has been strengthened with numerous technical level meetings as well as the regular holding of the Ministerial Conferences every two years. The relationship between the two regional organizations is based on common values and principles such as the rule-based international order, effective and sustainable multilateralism, free and fair trade, enhancing prosperity and resilience, promoting security and improving connectivity. The main areas of cooperation concern: (a) economic cooperation: circular economy, free and fair trade based on cross-border rules and regulations, job creation, (b) security cooperation: maintaining peace and stability, combating transnational crime (c) sustainable development: human rights, the environment, climate change and biodiversity, clean energy, smart cities, healthy oceans, and (d) sustainable connectivity: transport networks, promoting renewable energy and supply chain security, research innovation, culture and tourism.

Τhe EU and ASEAN are two strong regional organizations that are modern examples of intergovernmental cooperation. Greece, recognizing that strong regional organizations are also key drivers of the rules-based multilateral international order, supports the further strengthening of the bilateral strategic relationship.