On 1–2 February 2024, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström is taking part in the third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and the subsequent ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting. Both events are being held in Brussels.

“The Indo-Pacific region is becoming increasingly important for Sweden and the EU. Our regions need to intensify the political dialogue on our common challenges and opportunities, particularly with regard to free trade, the green transition and geopolitical tensions. I look forward to following up on the important discussions we had in Stockholm on 13 May last year, when Sweden hosted the previous EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum,” says Mr Billström.

The EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum gathers foreign ministers from the EU and the Indo-Pacific region. Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is leading the meeting. The purpose of the Ministerial Forum is to promote dialogue and solidify the partnership between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region. It is an important platform for identifying and shaping common visions. Discussions are expected to centre on geopolitics and security, trade and prosperity, and the green transition.

That same day, Mr Billström will also take part in the ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting led by Mr Borrell and the Phillippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo. The meeting is expected to focus on the strategic partnership between the EU and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the future course of EU-ASEAN relations, and regional and international issues.