Delegates attend the virtual meeting (Photo: ASEAN)

The foreign ministers discussed ways to cooperate in combatting the novel coronavirus, facilitate a robust recovery, and enhance long-term resilience and sustainability.

The EU and ASEAN agreed on the importance of collaboration at the WHO, acknowledged the serious economic impact of the pandemic, and resolved to strengthen economic links between the two regions to bolster the post-pandemic recovery.

The ministers underlined the importance of respect for the rule of law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, maritime security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).