(Photo from the Office of the Press Secretary)

With the theme “Deepening EU–ASEAN Trade: Sustainable Development for All”, the Chief Executive noted how it would open ways to fast-track the implementation of the European Union’s Indo-Pacific Strategy in his closing remarks.

“There is a growing need for the public sector to collaborate with private institutions, especially now that ASEAN Member States are in a post-pandemic economic recovery and are facing new challenges brought about by recent geopolitical tensions, problems in the supply side, problems also with food prices,” he said further.

The President is in Brussels from Dec. 12 to 14 to attend the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit, where he is expected to outline his administration’s goals at the Summit including agricultural, trade, and maritime ties.

“In this regard, I would like to express my appreciation to the ASEAN-EU Business Council for its continued support and engagement to ASEAN, from the sectoral bodies up to the Leaders’ level,” he said.