INDONESIA URGES FAIRER ASEAN-EU PARTNERSHIP AMID GLOBAL CHALLENGES
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, July 11 (Bernama) -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has called for a stronger and fairer ASEAN-European Union partnership, urging both sides to deepen cooperation in trade, sustainable development and peace-building, while warning that the erosion of international law threatens global stability.
Speaking at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the EU in Kuala Lumpur on Friday – held on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings – he said both regions had made significant strides in recent years, but stressed that more needed to be done to uphold mutual respect and equality in the partnership.
“To move further, we must uphold an equal, fair, and inclusive partnership,” he said, adding that constructive dialogue should be encouraged, particularly through ongoing mechanisms such as the Joint Working Group on Palm Oil and discussions on the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement.
He also welcomed free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the EU and several ASEAN member states, including Indonesia, and emphasised the need for non-discriminatory economic policies to unlock the full potential of ASEAN-EU economic ties.
Sugiono stressed that cooperation in other areas, such as sustainable development and energy transition, also remains strong.
On global security, he called for a renewed commitment to upholding international law and warned that continued violations as well as the lack of accountability were weakening global institutions and eroding trust.
Sugiono specifically referenced the humanitarian crisis in Palestine, welcoming recent support from EU members, but calling it insufficient in the face of continued injustice.
“The abandonment of international law, as well as inconsistent policies, may also risk global ramifications,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
