EU Ambassador: ASEAN is a successful model of regional integration.

Attending the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 (AFF 2025) on February 25th in Hanoi , the European Union (EU) Ambassador to ASEAN, Sujiro Seam, shared his perspective on the relationship between the EU and ASEAN in various fields, as well as the potential for future cooperation.

Speaking to a reporter from Dan Tri newspaper , Ambassador Sujiro said that in a recorded message sent to the ASEAN Future Forum 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the EU and ASEAN share many similarities.

"The EU and ASEAN are considered two of the most successful models of regional integration in the world and in human history. We share the same overarching goal of peace and prosperity. We were founded on the same belief that we can achieve more together than working alone," Ambassador Sujiro emphasized.

According to Ambassador Sujiro, President von der Leyen emphasized the rich cooperative relationship between the EU and ASEAN. This cooperation brings tangible benefits to both EU and ASEAN citizens, for example, through the EU's "Global Gateway" initiative aimed at promoting smart, secure connections in the digital, energy, transport, health, and education sectors worldwide.

Ambassador Sujiro shared that the EU has invested in a series of key projects across the ASEAN region. The EU is currently ASEAN's third largest trading partner and direct investor.

However, Ambassador Sujiro noted that countries are living in a fragmented world. This was highlighted by speakers at the ASEAN Future Forum. In the context of a fragmented and fractured world, emerging global challenges, and changing world politics, this is a very challenging time for ASEAN and the EU.

According to the EU Ambassador to ASEAN, the President of the European Commission also indicated that the EU has ambitions for even greater cooperation with ASEAN.

"We must do more, especially in the context of an increasingly unstable world. We share a vision of peace and prosperity. We share a belief in working together. So I think it's time we thought about how the EU can cooperate more with ASEAN," the EU diplomat stated.

Close cooperation between EU and ASEAN

Ambassador Sujiro stated that the EU approaches ASEAN through three pillars, the three communities of ASEAN, including the political-security community, the economic community, and the socio-cultural community.

The EU desires greater cooperation with ASEAN at the leadership level. The ambassador believes this is the first step towards strengthening and consolidating the partnership between ASEAN and the EU.

Furthermore, trade is a very important area in ASEAN-EU relations. This sector contributes significantly to the prosperity of the ASEAN region, the world's fifth-largest economy. The EU can continue to work to promote fair trade between ASEAN and the EU.

According to Ambassador Sujiro, the EU currently has two free trade agreements (FTAs) with two ASEAN member states: Singapore and Vietnam. The EU is negotiating four more agreements with Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The Ambassador believes that upon the conclusion of these negotiations, the EU will have a better foundation to engage in trade and cooperation projects with ASEAN.

The EU and ASEAN are also promoting the implementation of joint projects, including the European Green and Sustainable Connectivity Group initiative.

Ambassador Sujiro affirmed that climate change is one of the priorities in the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership. This is a priority reflected in the Joint Statement of the Leaders and the Action Plan to implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, adopted at the 45th Anniversary EU-ASEAN Summit in 2022.

The ambassador stated that cooperation in responding to climate change is more important than ever, especially at a time when some parties have considered withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

In the field of climate change response and carbon emission reduction, the EU has promoted bilateral cooperation with ASEAN and individual ASEAN member states. Developing renewable energy through wind and solar power is one way to reduce carbon emissions.

Regarding energy, dialogues between the EU and ASEAN prioritize the issue of energy transition. Within ASEAN, Vietnam and Indonesia are member states that have equitable energy transition partnerships with the EU.

The EU wants to elevate environmental and climate issues, particularly through upgrading dialogue at the high-level official level between ASEAN and the EU. The EU wants to continue cooperation at the highest level with ASEAN on energy transition, green transition, combating climate change, and sustainable development.

The EU Ambassador to ASEAN also mentioned the potential for cooperation on new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The EU is interested in this field, and the EU Artificial Intelligence Act is already in effect. This is the legal framework that allows the EU to continue developing AI, but also ensures that the EU can address the challenges associated with AI development.

The AI Action Summit was held in France earlier this month, and this is an area where the EU will continue to invest.

The European Union has announced a €200 billion investment to boost AI development in Europe. This will benefit Europe, but also the rest of the world, as any progress in artificial intelligence benefits all countries. Therefore, Ambassador Sujiro affirmed that this is an area where ASEAN and the EU will continue their dialogue.

Delegates attending the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 (AFF 2025) on February 25 in Hanoi (Photo: Nguyen Hong).

Cooperation with Vietnam

Ambassador Sujiro stated that, along with Singapore, Vietnam is one of only two countries with a free trade agreement with the EU. Therefore, this means that in restructuring supply chains and transforming the ASEAN region and its member states into industrial manufacturing powerhouses for the rest of the world, Vietnam has an advantage.

The EU ambassador noted that Vietnam is also leading in ASEAN in the green transition process, especially the energy transition. Along with Indonesia, Vietnam is one of only two ASEAN member states that have a fair energy transition partnership with the EU.

The EU's support for the just energy transition partnership in Vietnam has been concretized into key projects under the "Global Gateway" initiative. The Ambassador mentioned the EU-supported Bac Ai pumped-storage hydropower project, which adds 1,200 MW to Vietnam's renewable energy output. In addition, there are wind and solar power projects.

"Therefore, we can count on Vietnam to contribute to and strengthen the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the EU, especially in the areas of trade and energy transition," Ambassador Sujiro emphasized.

Commenting on Vietnam's role in the initiative to organize the ASEAN Future Forum, Ambassador Sujiro welcomed the event.

"I am very interested in the ASEAN Future Forum," the Ambassador emphasized.

The EU ambassador suggested that ASEAN member states should not only focus on what they are doing now, but also take time to think about what ASEAN can do in the future.

The ambassador stated that last year, 90 international delegates participated in the first ASEAN Future Forum, and this year that number has risen to over 200 delegates, doubling in just one year. This demonstrates the growing interest of countries and the importance of ASEAN not only managing current issues but also thinking about the future.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/dai-su-eu-asean-la-hinh-mau-thanh-cong-ve-hoi-nhap-khu-vuc-20250226121534649.htm