Political Dialogue
ASEAN-EU Conference
His Excellency Georg Schmidt was one of our speakers in the event entitled ASEAN-EU Relations: In Light of the War in Ukraine.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South East and East Asia and our partner, the Asia Centre, collaborated to bring vital discussions to the forefront. Our event ‘ASEAN-EU Relations in Light of the War in Ukraine’ was attended by over 150 participants in Bangkok, Thailand.
We were honoured to have distinguished speakers at the conference including His Excellency George Schmidt, German Ambassador to Thailand, and Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva, Former Prime Minister of Thailand.
ASEAN and the EU are facing the war in Ukraine and the coup in Myanmar. Both are geo-political and security challenges. In light of the War in Ukraine, the EU responded with sanctions. However, the response of ASEAN and most of its member states has been significantly vague and cautious; avoiding direct criticism of Russia. All except Singapore. On Myanmar, ASEAN is struggling to implement its 5-point consensus.
Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister of Thailand was one of our speakers at the event
“The near failed state in Myanmar should be a wake-up call”, Johnathan Head, Southeast Asian correspondent for the BBC, said during the conference. “It threatens ASEAN itself”. The panellist agreed that it is imperative that ASEAN and the EU must prioritise and protect human rights.
ASEAN-EU -
It is more important now than ever to stand in solidarity for responsible leadership based upon the principles of democracy, freedom, rule of law, human rights and international cooperation.
Following the conference, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and the Asia Centre will present a paper, including recommendations, in the next couple of weeks, taking into the accounts the perspectives that were shared by our panellists.
*Sky Chatuchinda is the regional communication officer for the office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Bangkok, Thailand.
To see more pictures
Moritz Kleine-Brockoff (Head, Regional Office Southeast and East Asia, Friedrich Naumann Foundation)
Panel 1 was moderated by Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff (Head, Regional Office Southeast and East Asia, Friedrich Naumann Foundation). Our speakers included H.E. Georg Schmidt (German Ambassador to Thailand), Felix Heiduk (Head Asia Division, Stiftung Wissenschaft un Politik, German Institute for International and Security Affairs), Kitti Prasirtsuk (Professor, Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University)
Panel 2 was moderated by Kenneth Houston (Lecturer, International Relations and Global Affairs, Mahidol University International College). Our speakers included Nukila Evanty (Country Director Rights Foundation), Atena Stefania Feraru (Author of "Weak States, Vulnerable Governments and Regional Cooperation: An ASEAN Case Study), Titipol Phakdeewanich (Director, The Regional Center for Human Rights at the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University)
Participants at the conference
Panel 3 on the discussion of Trade (from left to right) Suwannarat Meesomboonpoonsuk (Thammasat University), Tom Cachet (TEBA), Tricia Yeoh (IDEAS), Robin Hoenig (Trade Policy Competence Centre Asia/ASEAN)
Tricia Yeoh (CEO, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS))
James Gomez (Regional Director Asia Centre), Tom Cachet (Chairman, Thai European Business Association (TEBA) Supply Chain Management Committee, and Felix Heiduk (Head, Asia Division, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, German Institute for International and Security Affairs)
In Session 4 - Our speakers included Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva (Former Prime Minister of Thailand), Karen Gomez Dumpit (Former Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines), Johnathan Head (Southeast Asia Correspondent, BBC News), Laure Brachet (Head, Political Press and Information Section, EU Delegation to Thailand). The session was moderated by Robin Ramcharan (Executive Director, Asia Centre)
In Session 4 - Our speakers included Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva (Former Prime Minister of Thailand), Karen Gomez Dumpit (Former Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines), Johnathan Head (Southeast Asia Correspondent, BBC News), Laure Brachet (Head, Political Press and Information Section, EU Delegation to Thailand). The session was moderated by Robin Ramcharan (Executive Director, Asia Centre)
Group Photo of all the participants involved
