On 13-14 October 2016, Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, and Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovak Republic, will co-chair the 21^st ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Bangkok under the theme “Towards a Strategic Partnership”.

          ASEAN and the EU have a long-standing partnership since the formalization of their relations in 1977. Since then, the AEMM has become an inter-regional platform where Ministers of Foreign Affairs from ASEAN and EU Member States, as well as ASEAN Secretary-General and the HR/VP, meet regularly on a biennial basis to discuss how to advance ASEAN-EU relations and engage in dialogue on regional and international issues. ASEAN Member States takes turn to serve as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations every 3 years. Thailand started its coordinatorship role since August 2015.

          The Meeting aims to strengthen ASEAN-EU cooperation in all dimensions and to pave the way for elevating the ASEAN-EU partnership to a strategic level and to set the course for the future direction of their relations. Ministers of Foreign Affairs, or high level representatives from ASEAN and EU Member States, as well as the ASEAN Secretary-General and the HR/VP will also engage in a discussion on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

          ASEAN and the EU are natural partners. The two regional organisations both enjoy 227 billion US dollars in two-way trade, ASEAN enjoys 19.7 billion US dollars in FDI net inflow, and 9.3 million tourist arrivals from EU Member States in 2014. The EU is ASEAN’s third largest trading partner, first investor, and second highest source of tourists coming to the ASEAN region. The two regions have a shared commitment to putting people at the centre of our policies, to advancing good governance, human rights, and to promoting respect for diversity. Indeed, our respective organisations are built on the principle of drawing strength from diversity.

          Thailand, as a country that enjoys centuries of relations with Europe and the current Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations, attaches great importance to the AEMM and to building the momentum of ASEAN-EU cooperation towards a Strategic Partnership and to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of its relations in 2017.

          The 21^st AEMM also seeks to promote access to its outcome for all, including people with disabilities. Therefore, the Open Session of the Meeting will be translated in sign language (Thai and English) and the outcome documents will be made available in braille and other relevant formats.

          The AEMM is expected to adopt a Bangkok Declaration and Bangkok Roadmap for Elevating the ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership to a Strategic Level (2016-2017).