The event brought together several contacts from the KAS network in the region, from trade associations to staff from embassies, local Think Tanks and also international schools in Singapore.
Mr. Ripoll was warmly welcome by Mr. Moritz Fink, Policy Officer and Deputy Head of Office. Mr. Fink shared a personal remark on how Mr. Ripoll gave him extended feedback for his Master Thesis on how intra-ASEAN politics matter for its relation with the EU in 2021 and that it is great to finally meet him in person.

Mr. Fink briefly illustrated the history of EU-ASEAN relations, the milestone achievement with the Strategic Partnership in 2020 and mentioned that the Action Plan 2023-2027 lays out a blueprint for further engagement, in particular for parliamentary relations, where Mr. Ripoll now comes in to spearhead the effort.

Legislative Diplomacy is the part and parcel of the diplomatic toolbox and the EU is setting up liaison offices to strengthen parliamentary relations with its partners. Mr. Ripoll delivered interesting insights why the outcome of the upcoming EU Election between June 6-9 matters to ASEAN and the region. Alongside ASEAN, the EU is the most advanced experience of regional integration, and a great source of trade and investment. To this end, the elections are very much on ASEAN’s radar as the strength of the parliamentary dimension between the EU and ASEAN will largely depend on the strength of the new Parliament and other EU institutions.

Discussions evolved around the creation of an EU-ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly, the Way Forward in the ongoing negotiations for Free Trade Agreements with Thailand, Indonesia and now Philippines (the Parliament needs to ratify international treaties) as well as humanitarian issues such as Myanmar and how parliamentary diplomacy could support these efforts.
KAS PDA thanks all its guests and in particular Mr. Ripoll for his visit to Singapore and continued support of our activities. Stay tuned for more updates on our “Mission Europe Series”.