Strengthening the EU-Asean partnership is a necessity

IF THE Covid-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is that the European Union (EU) and the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) must come together as like-minded "partners in integration", even if they are geographically distant.

While others choose to undercut multilateralism, our organisations should ensure that our trading systems, prosperity and security are governed by rules and based on international agreements, not on the idea that "might makes right". Neither Asean nor the EU is ready to become part of any "sphere of influence". It is not the law of the strong that must prevail, but the strength of the law.

We know that only together we can overcome this terrible pandemic. Last May, we successfully pushed for the adoption of a Resolution on the Coronavirus by the WHO Assembly, which foresees an impartial, independent and comprehensive review of lessons learned from the international health response.