KUALA LUMPUR – Belgium has called for stronger cooperation between the European Union (EU) and ASEAN to safeguard a rules-based international order, saying growing geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping global trade, investment and the movement of people.

Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot said frequent high-level engagements between Europe and Southeast Asia reflected a growing recognition that the two regions' futures were increasingly interconnected.

"Our gathering reflects the strength of the relationship between Malaysia and Belgium and more globally between the European Union and the ASEAN," he said in his remarks at the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (39APR) on July 2.

He said cooperation based on mutual respect, diplomacy and a shared commitment to sustainable development remained central to the partnership between both regions.

Prévot said that intensifying geopolitical competition risked weakening the international rules-based order, creating greater uncertainty for economies and societies worldwide.

"A 'might-makes-right' approach would undermine decades of progress and create instability that would affect us all," he said.

He said adherence to international law provided the predictability needed to facilitate economic cooperation, protect sovereignty and support stable international relations.

The Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister also highlighted the growing interdependence between Europe and the Asia-Pacific, noting that disruptions to global supply chains, conflicts and climate-related events had demonstrated how developments in one region increasingly affected others.

"The challenges we face today — climate change, economic disruptions, geopolitical tensions — do not respect borders.

"They spread across regions and affect us all," he said.

Prévot said stronger connectivity between Europe and Southeast Asia could transform shared maritime routes and trade links into drivers of long-term prosperity, citing cooperation between the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and Lumut Maritime Industrial City as an example.

He also pointed to the EU's support for the Asean Power Grid through its Global Gateway strategy as part of efforts to strengthen regional connectivity and sustainable development.

While economic openness remained important, he said countries must also build greater resilience in supply chains, infrastructure and policy frameworks.

He added that security today extended beyond military considerations to include economic stability, environmental sustainability and the collective ability to respond to crises.

Prévot also reaffirmed Belgium's commitment to multilateralism, describing cooperation between the EU and Asean as a model for addressing shared challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation.

"Our relationship is strengthened through concrete initiatives: ongoing discussions on Free Trade Agreements, enhanced maritime cooperation, and joint efforts in areas such as digital governance, green transition, and sustainable development," he said.

Looking ahead to the 50th anniversary of EU-Asean dialogue relations in 2027, Prévot said both regions should deepen cooperation to deliver long-term stability and prosperity.

"We must also recognize a simple truth: those who set standards shape the future.

"Multilateralism is ultimately about choice. The choice to engage, rather than isolate. The choice to cooperate, rather than compete destructively. The choice to build a system that benefits all," he said.