Sporočila

Press statement of the DASE mission to Singapore, Singapore, 8 December 2023

From the 7 to 8 of December, six (6) Members of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (DASE) visited Singapore. The delegation was headed by the Chair of DASE, Mr Daniel CASPARY (EPP, Germany).

European Parliament represented by a delegation of DASE Members and the Parliament of Singapore held the 13th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting on 7 December 2023. The previous Inter-Parliamentary meeting was held in November 2022, in a remote format.

The Members of the European Parliament met with the Speaker of the Parliament Mr SEAH Kian Peng, Deputy Speaker Ms Jessica TAN, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry Mr BEH Swan Gin and representatives of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, PSA International (operator of the port of Singapore), EU Member State Ambassadors hosted by the EU Ambassador and the European business community, as well as representatives of academia and civil society.

Upon the conclusion of the visit, the Chair of DASE underlined that "Singapore is a key political partner in Southeast Asia, which shares views with the EU on defence of international rule of law and sovereignty of independent nations". He stressed the importance of the national ratifications of the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement (EUSIPA). He said that the first such agreement with ASEAN countries, the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement has proven the value of such agreements. He urged for more free trade agreements to be negotiated with Southeast Asian countries following the successful examples of Singapore and Vietnam.

"Singapore is an important partner with whom to develop EU-Asia connectivity, and for climate change, foreign affairs and security aspects. DASE visit to Singapore highlights the need for like-minded partners to meet regularly amongst the many security and trading challenges we are facing today.

The parliamentary diplomacy represents an irreplaceable dimension in the bilateral agenda. The bilateral relations are dynamic. Singapore is at the forefront of key areas of cooperation as the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership shows. Moreover, Singapore was one of the 15 WTO Members, alongside the European Union, deciding to establish a Multiparty Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) to solve trade disputes, in response to the weaknesses of the WTO Appellate Body," said Mr Caspary.

"Singapore's location at the main trading routes, its use of advance technologies also make it a key partner in the context of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and of the EU-ASEAN Strategic Partnership."

"We need to complete the Member State ratifications of the bilateral political framework agreement, the EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, as well," added Mr Caspary, Chair of DASE.

During their visit, Members of the European Parliament learnt about the advanced operations of the Port of Singapore, the busiest port in the world in terms of shipping tonnage, with an average 140,000 vessels calling at the port annually. Members also discussed with the city authorities Singapore's redevelopment and transformation. Fruitful exchanges were held with civil society representatives as well as a roundtable discussion with academics on 'Southeast Asian Security Challenges'.

Composition of the delegation: Daniel CASPARY (EPP, Germany), Marian-Jean MARINESCU (EPP, Romania), Inese VAIDERE (EPP, Latvia), Danilo Oscar LANCINI (ID, Italy) and Balázs HIDVÉGHI (NI, Hungary)

For further information, please contact: DASE@europarl.europa.eu


Press statement of the DASE mission to Hanoi, Viet Nam (June 2023)

From the 19 to the 21 of June, 7 Members of the Delegation for The Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (DASE) visited Viet Nam. The delegation was headed by the Chair of DASE, Daniel CASPARY (EPP, Germany).

DASE and the National Assembly of Viet Nam successfully held the 6th Inter-Parliamentary Meeting. The previous Inter-Parliamentary meeting was held only few months back, in December 2022, in a remote format. The Members of the European Parliament met with the Chairman of the National Assembly, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and of Industry and Trade, the Commission for External relations of the Communist Party, as well as other relevant interlocutors.

Upon the conclusion of the visit, the Chair of DASE underlined the importance of strengthening relations with the countries from Southeast Asia and especially with Viet Nam, in a complex and challenging global economic and security context.

"DASE's visit to Viet Nam is a strong signal of our interest in consolidating the parliamentary dimension of the EU-Viet Nam relations. It is equally an indication of the growing bilateral agenda between Viet Nam and European Union, with relations covering presently a wide range of matters, going from political issues, to trade, energy, climate change, digital transformation, connectivity and foreign affairs and security aspects", said Mr Caspary. "Also the visit of DROI and AFET is already the 3rd official visit of an EP delegation to Viet Nam."

Viet Nam is an increasingly important partner for the European Union in Southeast Asia, in the context of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and of the EU - ASEAN Strategic Partnership. The EU - Viet Nam Trade Agreement (EVFTA) consolidated the relations and, since its entry into force in 2020, is a positive story from a trade perspective.

At the same time, the visit was also an opportunity to express our hope that, through this type of exchanges, there can be grater cooperation between the EU and Viet Nam in the foreign affairs area, in particular on topics such as the Russian illegal war in Ukraine. We underlined in all exchanges with relevant interlocutors that this is a time to defend the principles and values which are at the heart of the international rule-based order. We can not accept for the world's affairs to be ruled according to the principle "might is right". By tolerating such behaviours on the international scene, by not firmly condemning Russia, the long-term stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific is put in jeopardy as well", continued the Chair of DASE, Mr Caspary.

The Members of the European Parliament had constructive exchanges with their interlocutors on a wide range of topics. These included: the recent developments in the trade relations, the implementation of the EVFTA (including regarding ILO conventions), the ratification of the EU - Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement, climate change and green transition, the Just Energy Transition Partnership for Viet Nam, connectivity and the role of the Global Gateway. The security situation in the Indo-Pacific, and in particular in the South China Sea, was also discussed. The Members underlined the importance of using all mechanisms of cooperation with the EU in the context of human rights, as well as with relevant international organisations.

The Members of DASE visited the Hai Phong Industrial Zone to grasp the recent evolutions and perspectives of EU - Viet Nam trade and investment relations. They also visited the Ha Long Bay area in order to learn about the effects and fight against ocean plastic pollution and the work of the UNDP. The Members had the opportunity to witness the concrete benefits of the cooperation in the area of climate change and energy transition between Europe and Viet Nam through the example of a solar panel project in the Dong Xuan market.

Composition of the Delegation: Daniel CASPARY (EPP, Germany), Marian-Jean MARINESCU (EPP, Romania), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, Germany), Inese VAIDERE (EPP, Latvia), Łukasz KOHUT (S&D, Poland), Svenja HAHN (Renew, Germany), Danilo Oscar LANCINI (ID, Italy).

For further information, please contact: DASE@europarl.europa.eu

Article by DASE and AFET Chair on ASEAN and the EU before the summit, 13 Dec 2022

On 13 December 2022 DASE Chair Daniel Caspary and AFET Chair David McAllister published an article in The Diplomat on the "ASEAN and the EU: Beyond the summit, a call for action".

Myanmar: Joint statement on the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, 6 December 2021

Myanmar: Leading MEPs call on the junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi from detention and to restore democracy

Joint statement on Aung San Suu Kyi's court sentence from the Chairs of the Committees on Foreign Affairs and of the Delegation for relations with South-East Asia and ASEAN

The Chairs of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister (EPP, DE) and of the Delegation on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Daniel Caspary (EPP, DE) condemned the sentences of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint to two years of detention. They called for the immediate and unconditional release of both politicians and all political prisoners, the start of a national reconciliation process and the restoration of democracy, underlined both Chairs in their Statement.

DASE Chair Daniel Caspary underlines the communalities between the EU and ASEAN, 29 October 2021

As the 38th ASEAN summit just concluded, under the chairmanship of Brunei-Darussalam, MEP Daniel Caspary, Chair of the European Parliament's ASEAN Delegation, welcomed the fact that the Southeast Asian bloc reaffirmed its "belief that regionalism and multilateralism are important principles and frameworks of cooperation, and that their strengths and values lie in their open, inclusive, transparent and rules-based nature and emphasis on mutual benefit and respect".

"The EU and the European Parliament in the first place are firm and vocal defenders of multilateralism and open global dialogue, and this communality with ASEAN can only help bring us closer to each other," said Daniel Caspary.

On Myanmar, Chair Caspary reiterated that not inviting the junta to the summit was a bold and encouraging step. He welcomed the wish expressed by the nine to finally implement the five-point consensus of last April. "Time is of essence as millions continue to suffer unfairly in Myanmar under the illegitimate junta ".

Daniel Caspary said he looks forward to the ASEAN-EU summit in Brussels in 2022 to commemorate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations. "I wish to see and participate in a strong parliamentary dimension of this important event ," he concluded.

Tweet on the EU's new Indo-Pacific Strategy, 17 September 2021

The Chair of the Parliament's ASEAN delegation, Daniel Caspary, fully supports the EU's new Indo-Pacific Strategy and it's goal to reinforce cooperation with multilateral and regional organisations such as ASEAN, a promising groundwork for our joint way ahead.


Joint Press Release EP-AIPA, 22 June 2021

EP-AIPA Dialogue 22-6-2021
22-6 Caspary (2).jpg © Bettina Sturm / EP
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EP-AIPA Dialogue 22-6-2021
22-6 AIPA SG Van (2).jpg © Bettina Sturm / EP
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Members of the European Parliament and from the ASEAN region agree to closer and deeper EU-ASEAN exchanges at parliamentary level

The European Parliament (EP) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) convened the Inaugural Inter-Regional Parliamentary Dialogue on Tuesday, 22 June 2021. Held virtually, the dialogue discussed two issues that are shared by and most relevant for both regions: The Future of EU-ASEAN Trade Relations, and Mitigating the Negative Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Joint Statement with the Indonesian Parliament on Myanmar, 11 May 2021

On Tuesday 11 May 2021, the Chairs of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (BKSAP) and the Delegation for Relations with the Countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN (DASE) of the European Parliament held a virtual meeting. Focus of the discussion was the current situation in Myanmar with proposals for concrete steps to be taken, see joint statement attached.


The meeting was introduced by EU Head of Delegation to Indonesia, Ambassador Vincent Piket. Besides DASE Chair Daniel Caspary, Vice-President Heidi Hautala attended the meeting for the European Parliament. From the Indonesian side, participants were Hon. Dr Sihar Sitorus, Hon. Dr. Mardani Ali Sera and Hon. Mr. Achmad Hafisz Tohir (all Vice Chairs of the Committee).

Leading MEPs on latest developments in Myanmar, 9 March 2021

Leading MEPs met with representatives of the Parliament of Myanmar

Vice President Heidi Hautala (Greens, FI)
MEP Hannah Neumann (Greens, DE)
MEP Svenja Hahn (Renew, DE)
MEP Anna Fotyga (ECR, PL)

Today, they issued the following statement:

"Having followed the developments in Myanmar since the coup of 1 February with great concern, we were relieved to hear that through challenges of varying degrees and danger, the elected representatives in Myanmar are dedicated to continuing their work. They deserve our admiration for their courage and commitment to the fundamental principles of democracy.

Time for further targeted sanctions is now. The military and their business entities must not be able to benefit from any inflows or outflows of trade with European enterprises, be it directly or indirectly. The lives of ordinary people must, however, be shielded from these restrictive actions as much as possible.

Sanctions alone will not resolve the political crisis. The democratic actors in Myanmar need our support. Those threatened need protection. Communication channels and platforms between the CRPH (national legislative body representing elected members of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the Assembly of the Union) and the people of Myanmar must be kept open; the CRPH is doing all it can to reach out to the public in large. Obviously, there is no justification for digital blackouts.

The country's civil disobedience movement demands freedom and justice for all. Their sacrifice and courage is deeply humbling. A movement of this kind as well as the civil society are key ingredients in a resilient, fair and open society. They have our full support.

We are, furthermore, committed to supporting the CRPH's ongoing work to restore democracy and the respect for the rule of law in Myanmar by non-violent means and to lending them support in every way it is possible for us."

Background
On 5 March, the leading MEPs met with Ms Daw Zinmar Aung and other members of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), reiterating the European Parliament's request for targeted sanctions against the military and support to the democratic actors in Myanmar.

Coup in Myanmar: Joint Statement by AFET, DEVE and DASE Chairs, 1 February 2021

The Chairs of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister (EPP, DE), the Committee on Development Tomas Tobé (EPP, SV) and of the Delegation on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Daniel Caspary (EPP, DE) condemned last night's coup by the military (Tatmadaw) in Myanmar. They called for President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and all others who have been arrested to be swiftly and unconditionally released. The legitimate civilian government must be immediately restored and the parliament reopened, warn the Chairs in their Statement.