site.btaForeign Minister Gabriel Participates in EU-ASEAN, EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel participates in the EU-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Ministerial Meeting and the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, held in Brussels, the Foreign Ministry reported on Friday. 

The aim of the conferences is for EU foreign ministers to discuss with partners from the region how to tackle regional and global challenges.

"The EU and ASEAN are strategic partners and our cooperation is based on shared values and principles, including the foundations of a rules-based international order. Regular dialogue to find solutions to common challenges is important. At the same time, we must work together to promote connectivity and create more partnerships in the field of digitalisation. Closer cooperation on innovation and support for talent is needed to tackle the challenges of the new wave of deep technological innovation," said Gabriel. 

ASEAN is an association of Southeast Asian countries with ten member countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia. EU-ASEAN ministerial meetings are a key format for political dialogue between the two regions. 

Mariya Gabriel also participated in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum. "In a dynamically changing world, Bulgaria and the EU recognize the importance of the region, as enshrined in the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific", the Deputy Prime Minister said. She emphasized connectivity, investment in skills, science and innovation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. "Partnerships and international cooperation are a chance to find common solutions," Gabriel concluded.