Cyprus represents EU presidency at 25th EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Brunei

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos represented the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council at the 25th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting held in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on April 27-28, 2026. The summit served as a preparatory stage for the 2027 anniversary summit commemorating 50 years of relations, with a focus on upgrading the partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Discussions centered on multilateralism, international law, digital transition, energy security, and maritime stability. Minister Kombos held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Brunei, Singapore, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Laos. During these meetings, he emphasized the importance of stability, connectivity, and the protection of trade flows. He also reaffirmed a shared commitment to the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of sovereign states. The Cypriot government highlighted Southeast Asia as a strategic priority for both Cyprus and the wider European Union. Officials noted that the region represents a significant economic bloc with nearly 700 million inhabitants and a four-trillion-dollar economy.