Nicosia: Cyprus' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, travels to Brunei to participate in the 25th Ministerial Meeting between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, scheduled for April 27-28, in Bandar Seri Begawan.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the meeting is a key preparatory milestone ahead of the commemorative EU-ASEAN Summit in 2027, which will mark 50 years of relations between the two blocs. Discussions will focus on advancing cooperation toward a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Key issues on the agenda include strengthening multilateralism and international security, advancing the digital transition, enhancing energy security, reinforcing supply chain resilience, and promoting maritime security.
ASEAN is one of the world's most significant regional organizations, comprising Southeast Asian countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. It is considered a key partner of the European Union.
Held biennially, the ministerial meeting serves as a central platform for political dialogue between the EU and ASEAN. It brings together Foreign Ministers from EU and ASEAN member states, along with representatives from the institutions of both organizations.
Cyprus' participation reflects the priorities of its Presidency of the Council of the EU, particularly efforts to strengthen the EU's presence in the Indo-Pacific region. It also aims to deepen bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and Southeast Asian countries, the press release said.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Kombos is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from ASEAN member states, as well as with the organization's Secretary-General, it concluded.