Remarks by EU HR Ashton at opening of EU-ASEAN post-ministerial conference

I am delighted to be here today, to build on the very successful EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting we had in Brunei just a few months ago. There were many foreign ministers that participated there and some that couldn't, but they know they missed a very good occasion and are looking forward to being in touch with you in the future. 

We agreed in Brunei that relations were in good shape. After 35 years we now have a relationship that is mature enough that we can be ambitious and we discussed at our meeting how we could now move forward. The joint plan of action that we adopted in Brunei reflects very well the aspirations that we have. 

It needs to reflect the ever growing links between us. Not long ago I signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with my dear friend and colleague from Vietnam and later today we will do so with the Philippines. And that's an example, an expression of widening engagement with countries of this region, also reflected in the work that is going on Free Trade Agreements. 

I want to see us aim for the same dynamic that we have bilaterally in our EU-ASEAN relationship. My presence here today is intended to demonstrate our commitment to that. By looking forward to Vietnam taking over as the ASEAN coordinator for the European Union I know that you will continue the work to take forward our relations vigorously, building on the extremely good work done so far. 

We support the centrality in the integration process of the ASEAN and the wider region and for the EU that's a guarantee that these relations will remain open and inclusive. More than anything I want the ASEAN nations to see the EU as a reliable partner. The decisions that have been taken recently at the European Council to address the financial and economic pressures in the EU are vitally important, not only for us, but for the world economy and in particular for the ASEAN. 

We are committed to maintaining our work with all of you to building and developing this relationship in the future and I hope that in our discussions today and in the future we will be able to show the breadth and depth of this ongoing relationship. Thank you.

| Haut |

• Asia and Europe Meeting (ASEM): a strong partnership for peace and prosperity  (5/11/2012)
• Philippines: EU Commission mobilises emergency aid to help flood victims (13/8/2012)
• Remarks by EU HR/VP Ashton at the end of her visit to Asia (13/7/2012)
• EU accedes to Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (12/7/2012)
• Joint EU-US statement on the Asia-Pacific region (12/7/2012)
• "EU-ASEAN: An efficient machine for the next 45 years" - Speech by EU Commissioner De Gucht (19/6/2012)
• 19th ASEAN EU Ministerial Meeting: Launch of two important ASEAN EU cooperation programmes (27/4/2012)
• Remarks by EU HR Ashton following the EU ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brunei (27/4/2012)
• EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to take relations with South-East Asia to new level (25/4/2012)
• "EU-ASEAN Trade and Investment" - Speech by EU Commissioner De Gucht  (1/4/2012)