Selangor Journal
Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (centre screen) co-chaired the 23rd Asean-European Union (EU) Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) on December 1, 2020, via video conference. — Picture via INFORMATION MINISTRY OF CAMBODIA

EU and Southeast Asian leaders to mark 45 years of relations

Brussels, Dec 14 — European Union (EU) leaders are in Brussels on Wednesday for a summit with their counterparts from Southeast Asia to mark 45 years of relations with the Association of Southeast Nations (Asean) reported dpa.

According to an invitation letter published by European Council President Charles Michel, economic relations, food security, and climate change are to be discussed.

As well as discussing the security situation in South-East Asia, given US-China tensions about Taiwan, the EU will be seeking a joint condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an EU official said.

An air travel agreement is also set to be signed between the EU and Asean. Commitments to greater cooperation in trade and energy are also expected.

Recent legislation passed in Indonesia to criminalise sex outside of marriage from 2025 is expected to be raised at the summit, an EU official said.

Asean has 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

— Bernama

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