Excellencies,

This room is very diverse, encompassing major geopolitical actors, smaller states, and regional organisations.

But only by acting together in partnership, can we tackle the challenges facing our world. That is why ASEAN Centrality is so important: you invite us – the ASEAN Chair – to engage. And here we are.

And in today's world of crises and confrontations, Europe and ASEAN must stand together. 

We both champion a world order based on the UN Charter where the rights of all countries, large or small, are protected.

At a time when the economic ties between Europe and the Indo-Pacific are at their strongest, the security landscape around us is increasingly dangerous.

Conflicts threaten the stability of both regions: the war of aggression against Ukraine, turmoil in the Middle East, and tensions in the Red Sea and South China Sea.

On Ukraine, war has returned to Europe after Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Because it is clear that there is an aggressed and an aggressor!

But the war in Ukraine affects us all.

Yes, peace is needed, but it must be just and it must respect international law.

It must respect the UN Charter and not reward aggression.

Today, North Korean missiles threaten not only the Indo-Pacific but also Europe. DPRK missiles are being used by Russia in Ukraine.

By aligning with Russia in the Ukraine war, the DPRK is jeopardising non-proliferation efforts and violating UN Security Council Resolutions.

Such illicit transfers of arms must stop, as should its persistent missile launches and advances in its nuclear programme.

It is vital not to aid Russia, either directly or through the provision of dual-use components. Doing so, further undermines the rules we are all committed to, prolonging this war of aggression.

If we do not stop this unjustified war, Russia will encourage other countries to threaten or use force for territorial gains. A world where might makes right puts global stability at risk.

When it comes to the Middle East, the region is on the verge of a wider spillover.

We have to prevent regional escalation in the Red Sea and the Lebanon border – many of you have said that.

The Houthis' activities in the Red Sea disrupt a critical trade artery between our regions. 40% of Europe-Asia trade passes through the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Many countries here in Asia are the first to suffer from the escalation in the Red Sea.

That is why the European Union launched a new maritime operation in the Red Sea, Operation Aspides, to protect commercial vessels.

The situation in the Red Sea is a direct result of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

I heard many countries expressing their concerns about the large number of civilian casualties in Gaza caused by the Israeli forces.

The Hamas terrorist attack was a horror, but one horror does not justify another horror.

What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating — the images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third, or fourth time. 

We talk about a humanitarian catastrophe. Yes, but this is a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, which means it is not in our destiny.  And it must stop.

The unbearable suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza must end.

The violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must end.

A hostage deal should be reached now.

We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies.

We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to this human suffering.

Many world’s leaders said too many innocent civilians have been killed. How many are too many?  10, 20, 30, 40.000? how may are too many?

Certainly, the number of casualties is fully disproportionate to the military end pursued.

As the International Court of Justice has said:

• The occupation of the Palestinian Territory is unlawful and needs to be brought to an end.
• Settlement activities must cease immediately.

We should all ask for the fulfilment of International law. Everywhere. This is equally true in the South China Sea, in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Dear Ministers,

The Palestinians deserve to exercise their right to self-determination.

There is a consensus that only a two-state solution will resolve this endless conflict. Let’s engage everyone of us to this end. We need to redouble our efforts to implement it.

On Indo-Pacific, we must ensure that the Indo-Pacific remains "pacific".

Yes, Europe faces wars on its borders, but the epicenter of global competition is in the Indo-Pacific. It is right here.

Nothing is far away in a globalised world.

If Asia is the beating heart of the world economy, its trade routes to Europe and the Americas are vital arteries.

Reducing tension is essential and we support efforts to this end.

Our compass is UNCLOS, the law of the sea. There are no solutions in the use of force.

A conflict in the South China Sea would have far more serious ramifications than those seen in the Red Sea.

We have a direct interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral attempt to change the status quo through force or coercion.

Finally, we stand ready to support ASEAN leadership in addressing the escalating violence in Myanmar, which could irreversibly divide the country and the region.

Dear colleagues,

This is my last participation at the ASEAN Regional Forum.

I’d like to thank you for your conviction and friendship.

My conviction remains strong: the strength of the EU and ASEAN lies in uniting diverse nations under a shared vision for a better world - a world where the rule of law is not a selective process, and where peace and prosperity are shared by all.

Let’s invest in connectivity in order to get close to each other. Let’s invest in connectivity instead of conflicts.

Whether our countries are large or small, let us all live by our international commitments and make a rules-based international order based on the UN Charter the foundation of our relations.

Thank you.