The EU and ASEAN: a partnership with a strategic purpose

The EU has a strategic interest in strengthening its relationship with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). A strong, cohesive and self-confident ASEAN proceeding with its own integration is good for regional stability, prosperity and security and creates new opportunities for cooperation on regional and global challenges. ASEAN combines high rates of economic growth as well as demographic dynamism. Grouped together, it would be the world’s seventh largest economy and is set to become the fourth largest economy by 2050. ASEAN is also at the heart of the efforts to build a more robust regional security order in the wider Asia Pacific. A united and self-confident ASEAN is key to ensure that regional challenges are addressed in a rules-based manner; this is in the direct interest of the citizens of the region, but also of the European Union.

There is a new momentum in EU-ASEAN relations and both sides have an interest in sustaining it. Many in ASEAN have expressed a hope for greater EU engagement and a desire for a formal ‘Strategic Partnership’. For its part, the EU has compelling economic, sectoral and political interests in enhancing its cooperation with this pivotal player in a region of strategic importance. ASEAN is working to establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015 and developing its post-2015 Vision, including how it sees its relations with the EU and the other Dialogue Partners. Therefore, the moment to articulate a vision for the future of EU-ASEAN relations is now.

Investing in the EU-ASEAN relationship will bring significant returns for EU interests, both economically and politically. For its part, ASEAN values the role that the EU can play in a regional context driven by growing strategic competition. More than any other Dialogue Partner, the EU can help ASEAN to achieve its integration goals as a trusted partner, without preaching any specific model. ASEAN has noted and appreciated the EU’s engagement; there is now a need to step up the momentum and give effect to the ASEAN and EU foreign ministers’ joint decision in July 2014 to ‘turn the relationship into a strategic one’. Taking EU-ASEAN relations to the next level will build on and complement the already rich and varied bilateral ties between the EU and individual ASEAN members; these processes should be seen as mutually reinforcing.

ESO: Background information: EU proposes to scale up its partnership with ASEAN http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-proposes-to-scale-up-its-partnership-with-asean/

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