Shared vision of peace, from EU to Asia

Europe's long-standing relationship with South East Asia is shifting into a new gear this year. Our mutual engagement is growing closer and deeper, particularly in the area of building peace, security and cooperation around the globe. We reached a milestone in our relations this year with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Phnom Penh in May on the accession of the European Union (EU) and its member states to the ASEAN Treaty on Amity and Cooperation.

ASEAN is a vital partner for us and I am delighted with this progress. The EU and its Asian partners have a common resolve to tackle today's regional and global threats together and a common interest in developing a system of regional integration and global governance. It is with this shared vision that I will be in Phuket for the July 21-23 meetings with ASEAN partners and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) from July.

We see ASEAN as the key driving force fostering regional integration in Asia. It has emerged as a serious regional player. We have followed with great interest as it has developed into a permanent regional organization, inspired - at least in part, we believe - by our own example of successful integration in Europe.