Spain and Asia: harnessing trade, soft power and the EU in the Asia-Pacific Century

The Elcano Royal Institute is a think-tank for international and strategic studies that analyses world events and trends from a Spanish, European and global perspective.

The Analyses of the Elcano Royal Institute (ARI)are short pieces - of around 3,000 words - on aspects of current international affairs considered to be of relevance to Spain, its foreign policy or its security. In broad terms ARIs are intended to have a predictive bearing on events.Spain is a relatively newcomer to Asia-Pacific affairs. Its first framework plan for the region was only issued in 2000. Since then, however, three Asia-Pacific plans have been launched and conceptualised Madrid’s strategic stance in the region. In short, Spain’s main goals are to boost trade and investment links, and to use its soft power –now especially through Marca España– to improve relations making use of its membership of the EU and, to an extent, NATO to both maximise benefits from Asia’s economic growth and to become more involved in the continent’s main geostrategic issues. This paper argues that Spain has indeed strengthened its links and presence in the Asia-Pacific area. However, Madrid needs to ensure that economic support to initiatives designed to boost bilateral relations is increased. Meanwhile, Spain also needs to provide diplomatic backing for the EU’s –and NATO’s– initiatives on the region as a way to further reinforce its links with Asia-Pacific.

• Primary Source

Spain and Central Asia http://www.europeansources.info/record/spain-and-central-asia/

---