EU-ASEAN Ministerial in Brunei: Advancing a Strategic Partnership for a Fragmented World
On 28 April 2026, foreign ministers from the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, for the 25th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, co-hosted by EU High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Brunei’s Minister of Foreign Affairs II, Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof. All ASEAN Foreign Ministers attended, underlining the importance both regions attach to the partnership.
As the EU and ASEAN approach the 50th anniversary of their dialogue relations in 2027, the Brunei ministerial underscores a shared ambition: to build a partnership that delivers stability, prosperity, and strategic balance. This is the 25th Ministerial meeting; the previous edition was hosted in Brussels. Read the outcomes and statement here.
The ASEAN region is the EU’s third trading partner and a dynamic market. The European Union alone represents a community of over 450 million citizens and one of the world’s largest economies, with a GDP of nearly € 18 trillion. The ASEAN region, with more than 660 million consumers, is one of the top eight economies in the world. Together, these regions bring not only economic weight, but also a unique capacity to connect partners, mobilise expertise and build strong, lasting networks.
Yet the EU and ASEAN are both increasingly facing strategic competition, disruptions to supply chains, and growing security risks—from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine to the disruption in the Middle East to South China Sea and cyber and hybrid threats. Against this context, the ministerial focused on reinforcing resilience, strengthening multilateralism, and deepening practical cooperation - particularly on critical raw materials, digital connectivity, and regulatory alignment - to reduce vulnerabilities while maintaining open markets.
A comprehensive political and security review rounded out discussions. With rising tensions across the Indo-Pacific, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to international law, including UNCLOS, and explored deeper cooperation on maritime security, cybersecurity, and countering foreign interference.
