EU-ASEAN trade deal remains long-term objective

The European Union (EU) continues to view a regional free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN as a "long-term objective" despite stalled negotiations since 2009, said ambassador Sujiro Seam.

Bilateral trade deals with individual ASEAN countries are currently prioritized, with Indonesia aiming to finalize a comprehensive economic partnership with the EU by the end of this year. Singapore and Vietnam already have FTAs with the EU, while talks with Thailand have restarted, and negotiations with the Philippines and Malaysia are under review.

The EU sees these bilateral agreements as steps toward a broader regional FTA with ASEAN. In 2022, ASEAN was the EU’s third-largest trading partner outside Europe, with trade in goods exceeding €271.8 billion ($294 billion).

Article by Jayanty Nada Shofa for Jakarta Globe. Read more here or in the PDF below.

EU-ASEAN Trade Deal Remains Long-Term Objective.pdf

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