On 1 and 2 February 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Krišjānis Kariņš, took part in the Third European Union (EU) Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and the 24th Ministerial Meeting of the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held in Brussels, Belgium. For the EU, the Ministerial Meeting was chaired by Joseph Borell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and for the ASEAN, Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Afairs of the Philippines, the ASEAN country coordinator.
In his address to the participants of the EU Indo-Pacific Forum, Krišjānis Kariņš, underlined that Europe and the Indo-pacific region were equally affected by current global challenges – climate change, maritime security, energy and food security, and hybrid threat. The strengthening of a rules-based international order has a major role to play in addressing them. The Foreign Minister emphasized Latvia’s interest in cooperation with partners in the region to reinforce economic security and resilience to hybrid threat.
At the EU-ASAEAN meeting, the ministers discussed the plans for future cooperation, which is based on respect for international law thereby promoting peace, stability and prosperity in both Europe and Southeast Asia. Those present demonstrated their support for Ukraine's sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity. Ministers also expressed confidence in the importance of peace, security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea in compliance with international law.
Addressing the participants, the Latvian Foreign Minister underlined the importance of economic cooperation, which is in the interests of both the EU and ASEAN.
“We are interested in diversifying trade and investment flows to strengthen supply chain security and the overall economic security,” Krišjānis Kariņš emphasized.
An EU-ASEAN Joint Ministerial Statement was adopted at the conclusion of the meeting.
The EU-ASEAN dialogue has been ongoing for over 45 years. In 2020, EU-ASEAN relations were raised to the level of strategic partnership.
