High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, has arrived in Manila to attend a series of crucial ministerial gatherings, highlighting the EU’s growing engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Throughout the week, High Representative Kallas will participate in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the High-Level Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
The visit underscores the European Union’s unwavering commitment to its Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, focusing on shared priorities: promoting peace and regional stability, upholding a rules-based international order, and expanding multilateral cooperation.
“ASEAN is a cornerstone of stability and growth in the Indo-Pacific,” said High Representative Kallas. “In an increasingly interconnected yet volatile world, the partnership between the European Union and ASEAN is vital. We are here to deepen our security cooperation, defend international law—including the UN Charter and UNCLOS—and build resilient economic and sustainability ties that benefit people in both our regions.”
During her visit, HR/VP Kallas will engage in bilateral discussions with foreign ministers from ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners to tackle urgent global and regional security challenges, including maritime security, cyber threats, climate action, and sustainable trade integration.
As a signatory to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the European Union continues to advocate for peaceful conflict resolution and strong regional institutions. This mission reinforces the objectives outlined in the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, demonstrating Europe’s active, reliable, and long-term commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
