The EU's main objective in Asia is to help engender the political and social stability of the region, promoting policies to assist in maintaining as much as possible its high rates of economic growth, also for the benefit of Europe's own economy and citizens.
Sustainable political and social stability in the region will continue to require the advocacy of the EU's values and the spread of more resilient forms of democracy - alongside an improved rules-based multilateral order - aimed at serving the people of the region.
There are multiple challenges for the European Union in the region. These include:
The 13th ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Summit - comprising of the EU, ASEAN secretariat, 30 European and 21 Asian countries – is expected to take place in Phnom Penh in the second half of 2020.