PASAY CITY, 24 November 2022 – The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Office of ASEAN Affairs, and the EU Delegation to the Philippines co-hosted the launch of “45 Years of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations Joint Photo Exhibition” at the Department of Foreign Affairs lobby, to mark this milestone in the partnership of the two regional blocs. Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Ambassador Pham Peuv of Cambodia (on behalf of Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year), and Ambassador Luc Veron of the EU Delegation to the Philippines addressed the ASEAN and EU Ambassadors to the Philippines, as well as officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs who attended the exhibit’s opening ceremony on 23 November 2022.
Secretary Manalo remarked that the EU is ASEAN’s natural partner given that both are the most successful regional blocs in the world today. He underscored the steady growth of ASEAN-EU relations in various areas in the past 45 years, particularly recent milestones such as the adoption of the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership (2023-2027) in August and the signing of the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement last October.
As one of the activities to commemorate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations, the photo exhibit showcases collaborations between ASEAN and the EU. This includes photos of conferences and meetings through the years, as well as human interest photos of cooperation projects which bring tangible benefits to the peoples of both regions. The year-long celebration of 45 years of ASEAN-EU relations will culminate at the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels on 14 December 2022.
The Philippines, as ASEAN’s country coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations from 2021 to 2024, had the overall responsibility of coordinating and promoting the interests of ASEAN in its relations with the EU.
The joint photo exhibition is featured at the Department of Foreign Affairs lobby until 29 November 2022. A similar exhibit was first launched at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta in July 2022.
Source: Republic of Philippines Department Of Foreign Affairs