Webinar on “What does the Strategic Partnership mean for the EU and ASEAN relations?”

Permanent Representative Kok Li Peng participated in a panel discussion at webinar titled “What does the Strategic Partnership mean for the EU and ASEAN relations?” on Thursday, 12 August 2021.  The webinar was organised by the EU Delegation to the Philippines.  Other members of the panel included Hon. Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs and Philippines SOM Leader, as well as H.E. Igor Driesmans, EU Ambassador to ASEAN.

The panel shared insights on what the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership entailed, including areas for cooperation such as connectivity, maritime issues, environment and sustainability, as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

(Photo credit: EU Delegation in the Philippines)

EDITED TRANSCRIPT OF REMARKS BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE KOK LI PENG

WEBINAR ON “WHAT DOES THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP MEAN FOR THE EU AND ASEAN RELATIONS”

THURSDAY, 12 AUGUST 2021

1.      Thank you for inviting me to join this panel today.  Just last week, Singapore wrapped up our three-year term as coordinator for ASEAN-EU dialogue relations and handed the baton over to the Philippines.

2.      The elevation of ASEAN-EU relations to a Strategic Partnership at the 23rd ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting on 1 December 2020 was undoubtedly one of the main highlights of Singapore’s term as coordinator.

3.      The Strategic Partnership as I see it serves three purposes.

4.      First, it is a bulwark against nationalist and populist sentiment. 

a. It brings to the forefront our shared regional values of openness, inclusivity, multilateralism, and respect for the rule of law. 

b. These values forged a natural partnership between us that started decades ago, when the European Economic Community became the first external party to establish informal relations with ASEAN in 1972, and became a formal Dialogue Partner in 1977.

c. These values are even more salient today when globally, protectionist and exclusivist sentiment is finding favour amongst people whose lives have been deeply affected by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), rapid economic disruption and the like.

5.      Second, the Strategic Partnership is also a shield against difficult challenges like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

a. The pandemic has proved yet again, the value of the ASEAN-EU partnership.

b. Amidst the pandemic, both regions have kept our supply chains open.  We supported each other with vital supplies such as Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) produced in several Southeast Asian countries, and now, with vaccines – many of which are produced and exported from the EU for markets globally including in Southeast Asia.  ASEAN is hugely appreciative that the EU has in fact exported half of all vaccines it has produced to date.

c. As Strategic Partners, we appreciate the need to plan our road to recovery ahead, together.  Though the ongoing pandemic has battered our aviation industries, we are confident that connectivity between our two regions will pick up once more, and drive more dynamic economic, social, and cultural exchanges.  As such, we concluded the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (AE CATA) in June 2021, the world’s first region-to-region air transport agreement. While I appreciate the thanks given to Singapore, this could not have been done without the cooperation of all ASEAN and EU Member States.

6.      Finally, indicative of a maturing relationship, the Strategic Partnership is a conduit for frank exchanges on difficult issues.  While we may not agree on every issue, the Strategic Partnership underscores the values we share while offering a platform to air our views in areas of divergence.

a. This includes issues such as how to contend with the geopolitical changes encapsulated in the ‘Indo-Pacific’ construct while upholding ASEAN Centrality, and now, the situation in Myanmar.  I would like to thank the EU for its unwavering support for ASEAN’s efforts to implement the Five-Point Consensus and hope for the EU’s continued cooperation to encourage all parties in Myanmar to find a resolution to the situation there.

7.      These are some of my thoughts, and I look forward to a robust discussion and hearing from my distinguished panellists on this topic.

8.      Thank you.