The European Union (EU) is ASEAN’s oldest Dialogue Partner. Formal  relations between ASEAN and the EU were established in 1977 and this year marks their 30th anniversary. Joint programs and projects between ASEAN and EU have  been carried out within the framework of the EC-ASEAN Cooperation Agreement of 1980.   

The EU participates in a series of consultative meetings with ASEAN which includes the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) ASEAN-EU Economic Ministers Meeting, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN-EU Senior Officials Meeting, the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) 9+1 and 9+10 and the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting.  The meetings offer opportunities for the EU and ASEAN to review contemporary political, security, economic and development cooperation issues affecting the two sides. 

At the apex of the dialogue process is the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) that sets the direction and pace of the dialogue and reviews the political and security, economic and functional cooperation between the two sides.  The AEMM is held once every two years. 

At the 15th ASEAN-EC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) in 2005 in Jakarta, a new approach for ASEAN-EC cooperation was established with focus on dialogues at  the experts level  in the areas of mutual interest and benefits. The priority areas of cooperation between ASEAN and the EC were aligned with ASEAN’s Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) and the EC’s Communication on a New Partnership with Southeast Asia.  The EC’s New Partnership Communication with Southeast Asia prioritizes 26 areas for future cooperation which includes economic and trade issues, justice and home affairs issues, science and technology and research and development, higher education and culture, energy, transport, information society and statistics.

The Nuremberg Declaration on ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership

At the recent 16th AEMM in Nuremburg, Germany last 14-15 March 2007, the Ministers adopted the Nuremberg Declaration on ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership as the roadmap for  closer cooperation in areas including intensive political and security policy cooperation, the expansion of trade and economic relations, and close interaction on fundamental global issues, such as energy, and the environment.  ASEAN-EU SOM representatives were tasked by the Ministers to develop the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership and the document is expected to be completed in time for the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in November 2007 in Singapore.

ASEAN PMC + 1 WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

The ASEAN PMC + 1 with the European Union is convened every year to allow Ministers to review the status of the dialogue relationship and to exchange views on regional, international and global issues affecting both regions.

The ASEAN PMC + 1 Meeting will be held at the Summit Hall C, 4th Floor of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), on 1 August 2007. The Ministerial Meeting will be co-chaired by Cambodia and the EU Secretary General of the Council and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy.  The ASEAN Foreign Ministers will meet with EU officials led by the Secretary General of the Council of the EU and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Dr. Javier Solana.

The Ministers are expected to discuss EU’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as an institution and collectively to deepen relations with ASEAN.  EU’s accession shows its firm commitment in promoting peach and security in the region.  In addition, the ministers are expected to talk about the Plan of Action to Implement the Nuremburg Declaration on an ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership.  To celebrate 30 years of partnership, ASEAN and the EU are planning to hold their Commemorative Summit in Singapore this November, back-to-back with the 13th ASEAN Summit.  The commemorative summit is seen by both parties as the best opportunity to promote sustainable peace, security and prosperity throughout the two regions.