EU-ASEAN: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell before the Ministerial Meeting in Indonesia

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It is a great pleasure to be here representing the European Union.  

I am here for three purposes. 

First, to hold the EU-ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] Ministerial Meeting. Secondly, to participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum. Thirdly, to have bilateral meetings with all the countries in the region. 

I want to stress the clear convening power that the ASEAN has. I want to stress the importance of this part of the world. 

The European Union wants to engage more with the ASEAN. It is a vibrant economy. It is a geopolitical power. We have to be more present here.  

I hope that we will discuss regional tensions – there are many in this part of the world – and how we can contribute together to face global challenges and to develop multilateralism. 

I think it is going to be two busy days, but important days for me, representing the European Union.  

It is a pleasure to be here. 

Thank you. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-244143