UK tasked with defusing ASEAN quarrel with EU

Date: 04/12/1997

By Shada Islam

THE incoming UK presidency faces a tough new foreign policy challenge: to repair EU relations with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Tensions between the two sides are running high following last month's dispute over Burma's participation in a meeting of the EU-ASEAN joint cooperation committee. The meeting was cancelled because the Union - which has suspended all links with Rangoon in protest at the military government's poor human rights record - objected to ASEAN's invitation to Burma to attend the talks as an observer.

EU officials said they were ready to "tolerate a passive Burmese presence", but could not accept ASEAN's decision to give representatives of the country's military regime full observer status, including the right to take an active part in the discussions.

The quarrel was not unexpected, but officials and diplomats on both sides are dismayed that after a two-year initiative to improve EU-ASEAN political, economic and business relations despite their chronic differences on human rights, the two regions still feud publicly over Burma.

The fear is that the connection built up slowly and painstakingly over the past 15 years could now begin to unravel.

Given its historical links with South East Asia, the UK is widely regarded as best-placed to restore cordial EU-ASEAN relations in the next few months. But ASEAN governments are wary of British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook's 'ethical' foreign policy priorities, fearing they could further impede the UK's efforts to mend fences with ASEAN.

Tensions sparked by the continuing financial turmoil in South East Asia may become another complicating factor, amid disappointment in Asia at the EU's role as a silent observer of the region's financial troubles.

Union officials insist they are watching Asia very carefully, but argue it is not really their 'role' to comment on events there.

They point out that, unlike the United States, the EU is not a member of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum which used a recent meeting in Vancouver to voice support for Asian governments' efforts to contain the crisis.

The months ahead are nevertheless likely to underline the continuing importance of trade and investment links between Asia and Europe. The EU will remain an important outlet for ASEAN exports, especially if European economies start to pick up speed.

Many South East Asian countries will need Union markets if they are to export themselves out of the current economic slump, and the EU continues to count on sales in ASEAN, and other Asian regions, to keep its economic recovery on track.

Investments are another area of mutual interest. Given their commitment to tackle unemployment, EU governments are more interested than ever in attracting new foreign (and especially Asian) investors to their shores.

Reports that South Korean firms with investments in the UK and other parts of the EU will delay implementation of some projects is bad news for Europe.

There is also concern that the argument over Burma could 'pollute' the wider process of Asia Europe Meetings (ASEM) launched in March 1996. ASEM, which brings together the 15 EU leaders and ten East Asian heads of government, will hold its second summit in April next year.

EU officials insist that since individual governments, rather than regional groupings, participate in ASEM - and it has been agreed that new members can only be admitted by consensus - the question of Burma's participation does not arise. Cook has already said Rangoon will not be allowed to send a representative to the summit.

In contrast to EU-ASEAN relations, the ASEM partnership seems to be in good shape. At a recent meeting of senior officials in Luxembourg, both sides agreed on the outlines of a cooperation framework aimed at clarifying their relationship, which is due to be approved by EU and East Asian leaders at the summit.