Philippines Champions ASEAN-EU Partnership at European Institute of Asian Studies 35th Anniversary Forum

BRUSSELS 25 February 2025 - In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Jaime Victor B. Ledda was invited as a panelist at the seminar titled “Celebrating 35 Years of EIAS and EU-Asia Relations – What’s Next?” on 18 February 2025 at the EIAS Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Ambassador Ledda underscored the importance of deepening ASEAN-EU relations through economic cooperation, political dialogue, and think tank collaborations. He emphasized ASEAN’s strong trade ties with the EU, the need for free and balanced trade agreements, and the Philippines’ advocacy for upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). He also highlighted the crucial role of think tanks in shaping ASEAN’s post-2025 vision and addressing challenges such as digital connectivity, energy security, and climate resilience.

Other speakers included Mr. Eddy Laurijssen, Vice Chairman of EIAS, who stressed the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in fostering Asia-EU cooperation. Sri Lankan Ambassador Chandana Weerasana discussed the EU’s role in South Asia’s economic resilience, while Mr. Marco Ferri, Senior Expert at the European External Action Service (EEAS), provided insights into the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy.

The seminar was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, EU officials, think tanks, and journalists, reflecting broad international interest in the future of Asia-EU relations. END

For more information, visit  https://www.brusselspe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinBelgium/, https://twitter.com/PHinBelgium  or https://www.instagram.com/phinbelgium/.