EU High Representative Kaja Kallas called for elevating EU-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) by 2027, during her opening remarks at the EU-ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in Manila on 22 July 2026. Speaking alongside ASEAN foreign ministers, Kallas stressed that deepening ties is essential amid global shocks from the Middle East conflict and Russia's war in Ukraine, which are driving up food, fuel, fertilizer and freight costs and dragging down growth in Southeast Asia.
Kallas noted that this is her second visit to the region in twelve weeks, following an April trip to Brunei where EU and ASEAN ministers reaffirmed the goal of upgrading ties. She said she had shared a Concept Note for a Commemorative Summit with Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore and all EU member states to chart the path. The EU has already upgraded bilateral relations with Vietnam to CSP level earlier in 2026, and plans to adopt upgrades with the Philippines within days and with Indonesia in autumn 2025. Kallas described these three bilateral upgrades as a "signal of intent" built on practical cooperation discussed in Brunei.
At the regional level, Kallas said the EU aims to work towards an EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit hosted by Singapore in 2027, marking 50 years of relations. She urged ASEAN partners to help shape a substantive plan with concrete deliverables by mid-November 2026, in time for the ASEAN Summit. "The initiative on these deliverables will have to come from the EU; but as true partners, we would encourage you to shape them with us now," she said.
Kallas framed the partnership as essential amid global instability, citing the Middle East conflict's impact on energy markets and the ongoing war in Ukraine. She called Russia an "existential threat" to Europe and urged ASEAN to join EU calls for Russia to engage in genuine talks for a ceasefire and just peace. The EU is determined to increase defence readiness in response to Russian hybrid actions, she added.
The speech signals a clear push by the EU to deepen engagement with Southeast Asia, moving from declaratory partnership to concrete bilateral and regional upgrades. For ASEAN member states, the proposed CSP could unlock greater EU investment, trade facilitation and development cooperation, but also requires them to align with EU positions on geopolitical issues such as Ukraine. EU businesses stand to benefit from improved market access and regulatory convergence, while EU taxpayers may see increased foreign policy spending. The timeline is tight: a substantive plan is expected by November 2026, with the summit in 2027.