Jakarta, April 29 -- Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Arrmanatha C. Nasir emphasized the growing importance of the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the European Union amid global uncertainty.

"The ASEAN and EU partnership is not merely symbolic. It must deliver direct benefits for the public and the business actors, and must be relied upon by the market," he said at the ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on Tuesday (April 28).

In his statement, Arrmanatha said both parties need to push for the realization of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between ASEAN and the European Union.

He expressed his hope that the EU would play a constructive role amidst geopolitical and geoeconomic...