Attending the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 (AFF 2025) on February 25 in Hanoi, European Union (EU) Ambassador to ASEAN Sujiro Seam shared his views on the relationship between the EU and ASEAN in various fields as well as the potential for future cooperation.
Speaking to Dan Tri reporter, Ambassador Sujiro said that in a recorded message sent to the ASEAN Future Forum 2025, President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the EU and ASEAN have many similarities.
"The EU and ASEAN are considered the two most successful models of regional integration in the world and in human history. We share the same overarching goal of peace and prosperity. We were founded on the same belief that we can achieve more when we work together than when we work alone," Ambassador Sujiro emphasized.
According to Ambassador Sujiro, President von der Leyen highlighted the richness of the EU-ASEAN partnership, which brings tangible benefits to both the EU and ASEAN citizens, for example through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative to promote smart, secure digital connectivity, energy, transport, health and education around the world.
Ambassador Sujiro shared that the EU has invested in a series of key projects across the ASEAN region. The EU is currently ASEAN's third largest trading partner and direct investor.
However, Ambassador Sujiro noted that countries are living in a fragmented world. This was emphasized by speakers attending the ASEAN Future Forum. In the context of a fragmented, fractured world, emerging global challenges, and changing world politics, this is a very challenging time for ASEAN and the EU.
According to the EU Ambassador to ASEAN, the President of the European Commission also pointed out that the EU has ambitions to cooperate more with ASEAN.
"We have to do more, especially in an increasingly uncertain world. We share a vision of peace and prosperity. We share a belief in working together. So I think it's time for us to think about how the EU can work even more with ASEAN," the EU diplomat said.
Close EU-ASEAN cooperation
Ambassador Sujiro said the EU approaches ASEAN through three pillars and three ASEAN communities, including the political-security community, the economic community and the socio-cultural community.
The EU looks forward to further cooperation with ASEAN at the leadership level. The Ambassador believes that this is the first way to strengthen and consolidate the partnership between ASEAN and the EU.
In addition, trade is a very important area in ASEAN-EU relations. It contributes greatly to the prosperity of the ASEAN region, the world's fifth largest economy. The EU can continue to work to promote fair trade between ASEAN and the EU.
According to Ambassador Sujiro, the EU currently has two free trade agreements (FTAs) with two ASEAN member states, Singapore and Vietnam. The EU is negotiating four more agreements with Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. The Ambassador believes that when these negotiations are concluded, the EU will have a better foundation to engage in trade activities and cooperation projects with ASEAN.
The EU and ASEAN are also promoting joint projects, including the European Green and Sustainable Connectivity Group initiative.
Ambassador Sujiro affirmed that climate change is one of the priorities in the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership. This is a priority reflected in the Joint Leaders’ Statement and the Action Plan to Implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, adopted at the 45th Anniversary Summit of EU-ASEAN Relations in 2022.
The Ambassador said that cooperation to respond to climate change is becoming more important than ever, especially at a time when some parties have considered the possibility of withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change.
In the field of climate change response and carbon emission reduction, the EU has promoted bilateral cooperation with ASEAN and individual ASEAN member states. Developing renewable energy through wind and solar power is one way to reduce carbon emissions.
On energy, the EU-ASEAN dialogues prioritize the energy transition. Within ASEAN, Vietnam and Indonesia are member states with a partnership for a fair energy transition with the EU.
The EU wants to take the environment and climate issue to a higher level, in particular through upgrading the dialogue at senior official level between ASEAN and the EU. The EU wants to continue to cooperate at the highest level with ASEAN on the energy transition, green transition, climate change and sustainable development.
The EU Ambassador to ASEAN also mentioned the potential for cooperation on new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The EU is interested in this area and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act has come into force. This is a legal framework that will enable the EU to continue developing AI, but also to ensure that the EU can address the challenges that come with the development of AI.
The AI Action Summit was held in France earlier this month and this is an area where the EU will continue to invest.
The European Union has announced a €200 billion investment to boost AI development in Europe. This will benefit Europe, but also the rest of the world, because any progress in AI benefits all countries. So, Ambassador Sujiro affirmed that this is an area where ASEAN and the EU will continue to dialogue.
Delegates attend the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 (AFF 2025) on February 25 in Hanoi (Photo: Nguyen Hong).
Cooperation with Vietnam
Ambassador Sujiro said that, along with Singapore, Vietnam is one of two countries that have a free trade agreement with the EU. Therefore, this means that in restructuring the supply chain and turning the ASEAN region and its member states into an industrial manufacturing powerhouse for the rest of the world, Vietnam has an advantage.
The EU Ambassador noted that Vietnam is also leading in ASEAN in the green transition, especially the energy transition. Together with Indonesia, Vietnam is one of two ASEAN member states that have a partnership for equitable energy transition with the EU.
The EU's support for the partnership for a just energy transition in Vietnam has been materialized in key projects under the Global Gateway initiative. The Ambassador mentioned the EU-supported Bac Ai pumped storage hydropower project, which adds 1,200 MW to Vietnam's renewable energy capacity. In addition, there are wind and solar power projects.
"Therefore, we can count on Vietnam to contribute to and strengthen the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the EU, especially in the areas of trade and energy transition," Ambassador Sujiro emphasized.
Commenting on Vietnam's role in the initiative to organize the ASEAN Future Forum, Ambassador Sujiro welcomed this event.
"I am very interested in the ASEAN Future Forum," the Ambassador emphasized.
The EU Ambassador said that ASEAN member states should not only focus on what is being done, but also spend time thinking about what ASEAN can do in the future.
The Ambassador said that last year, 90 international delegates attended the first ASEAN Future Forum, and this year the number has increased to more than 200, which is double in one year. This shows the interest of countries as well as the importance of ASEAN not only managing current issues but also thinking about the future.
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