Brussels (VNA), Oct. 23 -- The European Union (EU) was urged to increase its regional presence with a focus on trade, connectivity and maritime security and safety as navigation in the East Sea is an important artery of the world trade and essential to the bloc, as heard a seminar in Brussels on October 22.

The seminar, focusing on EU - ASEAN and East Sea, territorial dispute, power competition and economic interests, was co-organised by the Belgium's Royal Institute for International Relations (Egmont), the Asia - Pacific Media and Asia Centre in France.

The event gathered nearly 70 speakers specialised in law and international relations from the European External Action Service, the UK's Royal Institute of International Affairs, the E...