<h1>27-member bloc adopts strategic agenda with Asian partner to deepen trade, tech, security ties and fast-track year-end free trade deal</h1> A 27-member regional bloc approved a strategic agenda with a major Asian partner to deepen ties across trade, technology, security and global governance, endorsing work to conclude a balanced, ambitious free trade agreement by year-end that would enhance market access, remove trade barriers and include sustainable development provisions. The conclusions envisage a security and defence partnership facilitating possible defence-industrial cooperation, commit to coordinated engagement on an ongoing international armed conflict, and reaffirm support for multilateralism, the rules-based order and the WTO. The bloc directed its executive to implement the agenda and pursue promotion and protection of democratic values and human rights.