The European Union has expressed its interest in strengthening its political and security partnership with ASEAN.

EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini, who is also EU Commission vice president, said stronger cooperation in the field of security and at a political level was key for people in the EU and ASEAN.

“So we are increasing the level of partnership in all fields, including politics and security; we are increasing our daily work — the EU has appointed a dedicated ambassador to ASEAN for the first time ever, and we are looking forward to moving to the strategic partnership between the EU and ASEAN,” she said after a meeting with ASEAN secretary-general Le Luong Minh in Jakarta on Saturday.

Mogherini said the EU and ASEAN cooperation had seen many achievements, which she believed would help to increase economic development, trade and investment for their member countries.  

Mogherini handed over the “EU-ASEAN Blue Book 2016” – a report on the EU's overall cooperation with ASEAN – to Minh at the meeting.

In recent years, the EU has stepped up its involvement in security and defense related matters, commensurate with its global role and responsibilities.

Cooperation on broader security issues is a growing element in the EU’s relationship with ASEAN.

Mogherini said she and her ASEAN counterpart also discussed the South China Sea, saying the EU had a stake in guaranteeing maritime security.

The EU stands ready to work with ASEAN on confidence-building measures, and believes that negotiations on a code of conduct are key, she said.

“This is not something which we are entering into. This is not so an issue that affects us directly, but our approach to controversies is always the same. Out of our European experience, controversies need to be resolved on the basis of respect of international rules that are valid for everybody and in a cooperative way,” she said. (sha/ebf)

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