Jakarta, 7 August 2021 (TDI): With the 54th ASEAN foreign ministers meeting coming to an end, both ASEAN and the European Union (EU) exchanged ideas about regional security with 27 countries in the ASEAN Regional Forum.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Mahendra Siregar emphasized the crucial role of the EU in building the Strategic Partnership with ASEAN. Siregar acknowledges EU-ASEAN achievements contributing to the security and cooperation in the region. Including the emission reduction target by 2030, the need to harmonize policies in trade and investment, responding to regional challenges such as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea, as well as both parties’ collaboration in the Joint Working Group (JWG). The foreign minister also calls for ASEAN’s role to support Myanmar.
Furthermore, the prime minister emphasized that countries part of the ARF should take advantage of the forum to familiarize their stance in the dialogue process in the region, build trust and bridge differences in perspectives, as well as reduce tensions between its members.
