Jakarta, July 12, 2025 – The Europe Today: Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono underscored the importance of building an equal, fair, and inclusive partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) to fully harness the potential of bilateral cooperation. His remarks were delivered during the ASEAN-EU Post Ministerial Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In a statement issued by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta on Friday, Minister Sugiono praised the ongoing progress in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the EU and several ASEAN member states, including Indonesia. He emphasized that such agreements are key to deepening economic integration and advancing mutual prosperity.
The minister also pointed to growing collaboration between ASEAN and the EU in critical areas such as sustainable development and the energy transition, noting that these fields offer significant opportunities for long-term cooperation.
However, Sugiono warned that unilateral measures by either side, which do not reflect the principles of strategic partnership, must be avoided. “The enormous economic potential between ASEAN and the EU can only be realized through mutually beneficial and non-discriminatory policies,” he asserted.
To sustain and expand dialogue, Sugiono called for the continuation of key mechanisms such as the Joint Working Group on Palm Oil, the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, and greater exploration of cooperation within the Indo-Pacific framework.
On Global Issues and Gaza
During his intervention, the Indonesian foreign minister also addressed global geopolitical concerns, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Middle East. He acknowledged the EU’s support for Palestine but stressed that more decisive and collective action is urgently needed.
“Indonesia welcomes the EU’s expression of solidarity with Palestine. However, the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands stronger, coordinated international efforts,” Sugiono said.
He warned that the failure to resolve the Gaza crisis, along with the absence of legal accountability, is eroding the credibility of the international legal system and increasing the risk of further conflict worldwide.
“We must not allow the continued disregard for international law and selective application of global norms to produce grave repercussions across regions,” he said.
Strengthening Regional Bridges
Sugiono reaffirmed ASEAN-EU relations as a vital bridge between Asia and Europe, calling for sustained engagement and deeper understanding between the two regional blocs.
“As two of the world’s most successful regional organizations, we must strengthen our collaboration and commitment to building a peaceful, just, and prosperous world,” he concluded.
The meeting in Kuala Lumpur was attended by senior officials from ASEAN and the European Union, including EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, who represented the 27 member states of the Union.
ASEAN and the EU formally elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership on December 1, 2020, reflecting shared values and a growing convergence of interests in regional and global affairs.
