Speeches & Statements

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS DATO’ SERI UTAMA HAJI MOHAMAD BIN HAJI HASAN’S STATEMENT AT THE 24 TH ASEAN – EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERIAL MEETING

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM 2 FEBRUARY, 1500 – 1800 HRS

Your Excellency Enrique Manalo Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines,

Your Excellency Josep Borrell High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission,

Excellencies,

1. Good afternoon. I am pleased to be joining you today.

2. Our meeting today is one of great significance. Today represents the meeting of our two hemispheres, and an opportunity for dialogue that transcends East-West boundaries. Our goal today is to discuss ways to strengthen these ties, in our shared pursuit, of a safer and better future for us all.

3. With this in mind, I encourage us all to focus our attention on two key areas.

4. The first is to strengthen our cooperation on energy transition. The world is awakening, to the growing urgency of ensuring sustainability, and future-focused practices, and Malaysia is no exception.

5. In our National Energy Transition Roadmap, Malaysia pledged to achieve a just transition in the energy sector, including net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, by 2050. As we progress, we will need to address issues, pertaining to climate finance, incentives, technology, and infrastructure. We look forward to further collaboration with the EU, as we seek to accelerate ASEAN's energy transition journey.

6. Yet, while we are focusing every effort on readying ourselves for the future, we wish to ensure that the transition is just, inclusive, and equitable for all. A point I wish to bring to your attention today, is that we must be mindful of each other’s different economic needs along the journey.

Excellencies,

7. The palm oil sector in Malaysia is the source of livelihood, for over 650,000 smallholders. Malaysia therefore places great importance, in ensuring, both the sustainability of our palm oil industry, and its continued contribution, to Malaysia’s socio-economic development.

8. In this regard, Malaysia encourages ASEAN and the EU to deepen collaboration, through equitable frameworks, that consider environmental concerns, without disregarding the developmental needs of countries. An example of this, is the Ad-Hoc Joint Task Force, on the EU Deforestation Regulation, established last year. Therefore, I ask not only that we continue the conversation, but that we broaden it, to include these considerations.

9. The second point I wish to discuss today, is how we can work together, to ensure peace and stability around the world. The foundations of both ASEAN and the EU, were centred on maintaining peace in our respective regions. Now, it is time for us to come together, and maintain peace in the world at large.

10.Over the past few months, we have seen violence and the threat of war loom once again, over the Middle East. Even more worrying, is the possibility that this may grow into a multilateral conflict.

11.Given the ongoing global polycrises, and worrying developments in the Middle East, it is critical to ensure that peace remains our first, and ultimate, priority. The spectre of another regional or world war, must be immediately vanquished.

Excellencies,

12.This meeting has brought together leaders from very different societies, with very different perspectives. Yet there are two things that apply to every single one of us in this room.

13.The first thing is that we are all bound by international law. The marginalisation of the United Nations system, and disregard for the UN Charter, and international law, cannot be allowed to continue. No country should be allowed to continue violating these laws with impunity. There should be no double standards.

14.The second thing we all have in common is far simpler. It is safe to say that we can all agree on one thing: That no more children should have to die.

15.Malaysia strongly condemns the atrocities and violence being perpetrated, by the occupying power, Israel, on the citizens of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Malaysia continues to call for a ceasefire in Gaza – now.

16.Malaysia welcomes the decision, of the International Court of Justice, in the case initiated by South Africa against Israel, concerning the application, of the 1948 Convention, on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. We call on the international community, to support the ICJ decision, and for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

17.Malaysia welcomes the EU’s proposal, to convene an international peace conference, in drafting a roadmap for a two-state solution, for Palestine and Israel. The end of the decades-old Israel occupation of the Palestinian territories, is fundamental, for a viable two-state solution, as well as enduring peace and security in the Middle East.

18.In order for there to be any path to a sustainable peace, the voices of all parties involved, must be given adequate space to speak for themselves. My final note is that all voices must be elevated, and all voices must be empowered, in order for dialogue to be meaningful. That is what we proved today, in our own discussion, at the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting. I hope that we can afford others, the liberty of expression, that we allow ourselves and each other.

Thank you.