Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated ASEAN and the EU’s commitment to advance the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership in all aspects, especially in tackling COVID-19, and cooperation towards a sustainable post-COVID recovery by using BCG economy model.

On 6 August 2021, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting via videoconference. The Meeting reiterated ASEAN and the EU’s commitment to advance the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership in all aspects. Both sides underscored the need to enhance public health cooperation and collective response to COVID-19, as well as working together towards
a sustainable post-COVID recovery. The Meeting also looked forward to a Commemorative Summit to mark 45 years of ASEAN-EU relations in Brussels next year. Both sides also exchanged views on regional issues such as developments in Myanmar and the South China Sea. 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised the importance of cooperating with the EU in strengthening public health cooperation, including through equitable access and distribution of vaccines, cooperation on vaccine research and development to enhance local manufacturing capacity of vaccines and mutual recognition of vaccines to facilitate resumption of travels. He also committed to cooperating with the EU on sustainable development including relevant areas of the BCG Economy to achieve a resilient and sustainable future, which will be further discussed at the 3rd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development to be hosted by Thailand in November this year.