<figure id="attachment_3100869" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3100869" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3100869 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2d9aec53-perdana-menteri-datuk-seri-anwar-ibrahim-bernama-pic-4725.webp" alt="Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3100869" class="wp-caption-text">Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Paris on Thursday for a two-day visit to France. (Bernama pic)</figcaption></figure>
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for the relationship between Asean and Europe to be redefined so that both regions would see each other as equals in both multilateral ties and trade.
In a lecture at Sorbonne University in Paris, Anwar said the two regions should be seen as &#8220;co-creators&#8221; in the midst of &#8220;a world yearning for balance&#8221;.
While acknowledging the progress made by France and Europe in areas such as culture, renewable energy and governance, he said Southeast Asia also had achievements of its own, attributing it to Asean economic growth.
&#8220;Today, the advancements in Southeast Asia may be gleaned from the trajectory of Asean&#8217;s growth itself, which is no doubt a manifestation of the fruition of Asean economic integration,” he said, Bernama reported.
He said Asean has seen greater intra-regional trade and investment, bolstering the economic resilience and competitiveness of member states.
With the exception of the Myanmar crisis, Anwar said Asean has also helped manage tensions and conflicts in the region while promoting collective decision-making for regional crises.
On the other hand, he said Europe&#8217;s sense of security has been shaken by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, &#8220;a war many thought impossible&#8221; which he said &#8220;shattered the illusion of permanence&#8221;.
He said the war had left Europe finding itself grappling with uncertainty in its oldest alliance.
“We believe this is the right moment for an open and thoughtful conversation about the terms of our partnership – grounded not in hierarchy, but in mutual respect and understanding,” he said.
The prime minister said economic engagements between Southeast Asia and Europe must be guided by the same principles, adding that he respected Europe&#8217;s right to impose regulations that reflect its values.
“But when those regulations shut others out, even unintentionally, we must speak openly about the consequences. We do not ask for indulgence. We ask only that Europe meet us where we are, not where its models presume we ought to be. What we seek is not favours, but fairness. Not exemption, but equity.&#8221;
Anwar arrived in Paris yesterday for a two-day visit to France. He will then leave for Brazil to attend the BRICS leaders&#8217; summit on July 5-7.

MatchPoint Times

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