MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday described as a “clear step forward to promote connectivity” the recent milestones achieved by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU).

The President made this remark as he delivered a speech as country coordinator of the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels, Belgium.

This year has marked several milestones between ASEAN and EU, said the President, citing the adoption of the plan of action to implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership for 2023-2027 last August. 

“We have also signed the world’s first bloc-to-bloc air services agreement, the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, last October,” Marcos pointed out. 

The chief executive said both milestones are “clear commitments from both sides, an active partnership for the post-COVID economic recovery of our region.”

President Marcos also took great pride in the Philippines’ role as the coordinator for ASEAN-EU dialog relations as the two blocs mark 45 years of enduring partnership. 

President Marcos thanked all the ASEAN and EU member states for their support and cooperation “as we chart new paths to further strengthen our partnership.”

“As coordinator of our relations from 2022 to 2024, I assure you of the Philippines’ continuing efforts to sustain successful and vibrant relations between our regions, and as always the case, we are stronger together than we are alone,” the President said. (PND)