On 21 February 2025, the ASEAN Brussels Committee (ABC) and Timor Leste met with members of the Asia Oceania Working Party (COASI) in a breakfast discussion, through the facilitation of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The breakfast discussion was co-chaired by ABC Chair and Philippine Ambassador Jaime Victor B. Ledda and Mr. Niclas Kvarnström, EEAS Managing Director for Asia and Pacific.

The COASI representatives in attendance included capital-based directors in charge of Asian affairs desks in each of the 27 European Union (EU) member States.

The ABC Ambassadors engaged in an open and productive exchange with the COASI, EEAS and European Commission directors from DG INTPA and DG ECHO, mutually agreeing that both ASEAN and the EU should aspire for strengthened relations on the basis of mutual respect, equal partnership and a commitment to common aspirations of peace, security and prosperity.

The discussions highlighted the potential to further grow trade and investment ties between ASEAN and EU, including through the conclusion of free trade agreements, as well as expand cooperation across a broad range of fields, such as digitalization, connectivity, energy, maritime cooperation and the blue economy, and disaster risk reduction and preparedness, among others.

The meeting was also an opportunity for the COASI delegates to be briefed on the priorities of the 2025 ASEAN Chairship by Malaysia and the role of Brunei Darussalam as ASEAN Dialogue Partner Coordinator for the EU.

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