The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) held the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) on 27-28 April 2026 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The meeting was co-chaired by Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Brunei’s Minister of Foreign Affairs II and Country Coordinator of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations, and Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. Foreign ministers from all ASEAN and EU member states attended, alongside representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat. Timor-Leste participated for the first time as an ASEAN member.
Joint Statement and Strategic Direction
The meeting adopted the Joint Ministerial Statement of the 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting. The ministers reaffirmed the shared values underpinning 49 years of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations and committed to deepening the Strategic Partnership across the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The ministers reviewed the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023-2027) ahead of the 50th anniversary of dialogue relations in 2027, when the partnership is expected to be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter and UNCLOS and underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
In her opening remarks, High Representative Kaja Kallas said, “As we gather here, the world is being tested as never before.” She noted the current energy crisis affecting both regions, with Southeast Asian economies among the most affected.
At the press conference, Kallas highlighted maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cyber defence as priority areas for cooperation.
Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, called for accelerated trade negotiations, stating, “We should speed up the negotiations for an ASEAN-EU FTA.” He also welcomed potential EU financing for the ASEAN Power Grid and emphasised freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Mohamad Hasan welcomed the ASEAN Common Statement and described the meeting as “timely and meaningful.”
Germany’s Minister of State Tobias Hahn, on arrival, said ASEAN-EU trade had more than tripled since 2000, underlining the importance of stable supply chains and reliable investment conditions.
Trade, Energy, and Digital Cooperation
The EU is ASEAN’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly 400 billion euros in 2024. Free trade agreements with Singapore and Vietnam are in force, an agreement has been concluded with Indonesia, and negotiations continue with the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. Both sides expressed their long-term ambition for a region-to-region trade agreement. The EU provided updates on its Global Gateway initiative, including investments in sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, and digital connectivity across Southeast Asia.
