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European Union, ASEAN to form strategic partnership: Germany

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Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/life/12/01/20201201-eu-asean-compo.jpg"/></figure></div><p>BERLIN - The European Union and the ASEAN group of southeast Asian countries have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership, current EU president Germany said on Tuesday.</p><p>&quot;As close economic partners, we will stand up for safe and open trade routes and a free and fair trade,&quot; German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said after a virtual meeting with his counterparts from the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).</p><p>&quot;Together, we represent more than a billion people and almost 25 per cent of global economic power. Together, we have a strong voice in this world,&quot; said Maas, who gave no specific details on what the strategic partnership would entail.</p><p>ASEAN groups Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.</p><p>The EU has 27 member states.</p><p>Two weeks ago, the 10 ASEAN nations joined China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand to form the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) - the world&#x27;s largest free trade bloc, accounting for nearly a third of the global population and about 30 per cent of global GDP. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YPlpQyOG-RI?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>BERLIN - The European Union and the ASEAN group of southeast Asian countries have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership, current EU president Germany said on Tuesday.</p>

BERLIN - The European Union and the ASEAN group of southeast Asian countries have agreed to upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership, current EU president Germany said on Tuesday.