On 11 June 2026, H.E. Ms. Prinat Apirat, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN, attended the 33^rd ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta.

Ambassador Prinat underscored the importance of ASEAN-EU relations, which will mark their 50^th anniversary in 2027, and proposed ways to further enhance practical cooperation between the two regions. Priority areas highlighted included the green transition and sustainable development, economic cooperation, including the digital economy and energy security, as well as efforts to combat transnational crime, particularly online scams.

The EU expressed its commitment to expanding cooperation with ASEAN comprehensively, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, combating transnational crime, maritime security, clean energy, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance. The EU also reiterated its proposal to convene an ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit and to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with ASEAN in 2027. To this end, the EU will prepare a concept paper on the proposed CSP for ASEAN’s consideration at the earliest opportunity.

ASEAN and the EU formally established relations in 1977 and elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2020.

Photo courtesy of the ASEAN Secretariat