STATEMENT BY FOREIGN MINISTER DATO' SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN AT THE 25TH ASEAN-EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERIAL MEETING (AEMM), BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 28 APRIL 2026
STATEMENT BY FOREIGN MINISTER DATO' SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN
AT THE 25TH ASEAN-EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERIAL MEETING (AEMM),
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
28 APRIL 2026
His Excellency Dato’ Seri Setia Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof,
Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam
Her Excellency Kaja Kallas,
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union
Excellencies,
1. Let me begin by thanking the Government of Brunei Darussalam, for your kind hospitality in gathering us here. A warm welcome also to our colleagues from the EU.
2. Malaysia welcomes the ASEAN Common Statement, which outlines many areas in which ASEAN and the EU can pursue collaboration.
3. Indeed, with next year marking the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations, our meeting today is timely and meaningful, not just to further the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership, but also to discuss and reflect on contemporary geopolitical developments, which impact all of us.
Excellencies,
4. Malaysia notes with concern the increasing hazards, being posed by geo-economic fragmentation, and unilateral measures, that affect global trade flows.
5. Globally, economic engagement must remain transparent, non-discriminatory, and supportive of an open and rules-based trading system.
6. In the current global environment, ongoing conflicts continue to have great repercussions on the global economy.
7. These include disruptions to supply chains, heightened energy insecurity, and increased uncertainty, with growing implications for livelihoods, and cost-of-living pressures on households.
8. The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, underscores the fragility of global energy security. Disruptions around key maritime chokepoints have contributed to instability in global oil supply and prices.
9. These in turn, affect critical input that underpins our economies, with implications for inflation, and economic stability worldwide.
10. Malaysia emphasises the importance of maintaining maritime security, ensuring the safe and unimpeded flow of energy supplies, and supporting de-escalation and diplomatic efforts, including the full and effective implementation of the ceasefire.
Excellencies,
11. Amid these latest developments, the world must not forget the humanitarian catastrophe, and immense suffering of civilians in Gaza.
12. Malaysia reiterates our call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and immediate resumption and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestine.
13. We also condemn Israel’s violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and their indiscriminate killing and violence against Lebanese civilians.
14. We deplore all attacks on UNIFIL, and commiserate with Indonesia and France on the loss of their peacekeepers.
15. On Russia and Ukraine, Malaysia stresses the importance of sustained efforts in dialogue and diplomacy, to achieve a just and lasting peace.
Excellencies,
16. Malaysia believes the credibility of the rules-based international order, depends on the consistent application of international law, without double standards and without impunity.
17. ASEAN and the EU must work closely to uphold the multilateral systems that preserve global peace and security, as well as a predictable and stable economic environment, for all.
Thank you.
