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ASEAN and EU launch Blue Book and Cooperation Expo

23.05.2022
Jakarta
Press and Information team of the Delegation to ASEAN
EU-ASEAN Blue Book 2022 Launch

Photo: © ASEAN Secretariat

 

ASEAN and EU launch Blue Book and Cooperation Expo

 

ASEAN and EU launched the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2022 and the ASEAN-EU Cooperation Expo in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN-EU partnership. The launch events, held today (23/5) at the ASEAN Secretariat, were officiated by H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, and H.E. Noel Servigon, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN and Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations. Ambassadors and diplomats from EU Member States and Permanent Missions of ASEAN Member States to ASEAN, along with staff from the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN-EU programmes were also present.

The Blue Book, published annually, highlights ASEAN-EU cooperation as strategic partners in ensuring peace and security in the region, building sustainable connectivity, promoting free and fair trade, and supporting sustainable development in ASEAN. The ASEAN-EU Cooperation Expo will be held virtually until December 2022 and showcases EU-funded projects in ASEAN. From 2014 to 2020, ASEAN-EU regional cooperation reached over €250 million and the bilateral EU cooperation with ASEAN Member States exceeded €2 billion.

“We are proud that the seventh edition of this annual flagship publication provides the best factual and reader-friendly way of presenting what the EU and our Member States do together with ASEAN,“ said H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN. “The publication introduces our partnership in a holistic manner, including on our joint efforts against COVID-19 and the Team Europe’s Green Initiative aims to ensure a green and sustainable recovery, and other priorities, such as security, climate change, connectivity, trade, safe migration, education and research,” added Ambassador Driesmans.

“As we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations and the 55th Anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, this year’s edition of the ASEAN-EU Blue Book is very timely as it is a landmark year for both ASEAN and the EU. The EU has always been a great supporter of ASEAN Community building efforts and we very much appreciate the significant support to ASEAN through various cooperation programmes and initiatives,” said H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

Ambassador Noel Servigon conveyed that “The ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2022 captures the activities and major accomplishments of ASEAN-EU cooperation programmes under all three ASEAN Community Pillars, demonstrating how the strategic partnership forged by ASEAN and the EU remains relevant, timely, and meaningful.”

Highlights of the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2022 include:

  • The launch of the Smart Green ASEAN cities programme to support and complement ongoing initiatives in ASEAN to find green and smart solutions for ASEAN cities.
  • The introduction of two new tools, the ASEAN Trade Repository and ASEAN Solution for Investment, Services and Trade to support stronger intra-ASEAN trade.
  • Development cooperation projects that aim to ensure a green and sustainable recovery, including through the ASEAN Green Team Europe Initiative;
  • Joint cooperation against COVID-19;
  • Stories behind ASEAN-EU cooperation projects such as ARISE-Plus, E-READI, EU SAHA, SUPA, SHARE as best proofs of the tangible outcomes of ASEAN-EU strategic partnership, which is highly meaningful, comprehensive and benefitting the people from the two regions. 

Download the EU-ASEAN Blue Book 2022 publication HERE

Access the ASEAN-EU Cooperation Expo site HERE

 

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