The European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of their 25th Ministerial Meeting, affirmed their commitment to deepening their bilateral strategic partnership and promoting international peace and stability.
Regarding regional developments, the statement emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of maritime navigation and freedom of passage through international straits, including the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They expressed concern about any discriminatory or unilateral actions that could impede shipping or transform maritime routes into contested waterways.
The joint statement called for the re-establishment of safe and unimpeded passage for ships and aircraft through the Strait of Hormuz, minimizing disruptions to the flow of food, energy, and essential goods, and safeguarding global economic stability.
It stressed the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting dialogue and diplomacy as the primary means of resolving disputes.
The 25th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting was held on April 27-28, 2026, in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam. It was co-chaired by Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, in his capacity as Coordinator of the ASEAN-EU Dialogue, and Kajla Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
According to the Joint Statement, the meeting provided an opportunity to review progress in the Strategic Partnership and outline the political, economic, and cultural direction of the bilateral relationship in the coming years, in line with the ASEAN Community Agenda 2045.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment to supporting the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, considering the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) the cornerstone of this global system.
It emphasized the importance of a successful 2026 Review Conference and strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms within the NPT framework, thereby contributing to reducing nuclear threats and enhancing international security. The statement also reaffirmed the importance of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, in accordance with Article IV of the NPT.
