The Rationale And Common Agenda For Asia Europe Cooperation

This publication from the Council for Asia-Europe Cooperation (CAEC), launched in May 1996 by major policy research institutions in Asia and Europe to promote policy-oriented intellectual exchange between the two regions, is the culmination of nearly two years of study by five teams of Asian and European experts. In one of the first attempts to analyze the necessity of Asia-Europe cooperation, and certainly the most comprehensive, nine authors examine in five reports the rationale for facilitating greater cooperation between the two regions and the common agenda that should be addressed. The authors discuss the geopolitical, political and economic security, economic and business, institutional, and societal dimensions of cooperation in the context of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Their overview chapter suggests a structure for ASEM cooperative activities and lists some priorities for future work. The Japan Center for International Exchange is the Asian secretariat of CAEC. The International Institute for Strategic Studies in London acts as European secretariat.

This title was first published in 2000: When the second Asia-Europe meeting took place in London in April 1998, the EU's economic motivation of building strong links with Asia was challenged by the ongoing Asian economic crises that broke out in mid-1997. The political and social turmoil that ensued in many East Asian economies not only urges the re-examination of the East Asian economic miracle, but also reprioritizes the regional agenda and thus embarks on a new environment for Asia-Europe co-operation. The impact of this Asian turbulence on the establishment of the long-term Asia-Europe equal partnership in general and the ASEM process in particular are addressed in this book, based on the conclusions of the 1998 Asia-Europe Co-operation Forum. The aim of this book is to examine the background causes, responses, prospects and lessons of the first wave of financial crisis in Southeast Asia, and to then move on to an analysis of developments in Asia-Europe co-operative relations after the onset of the crisis. It examines the importance of continued interregional economic co-operation between ASEAN and the EU, looks at the economic impact of the 1997/98 East Asian financial crisis on the EU and analyzes the economic fabric of ASEM. In the final chapter, the book explores how the ASEM process has furthered the development of interregionalism in world affairs and discusses how the crisis has led to uncertainty for the organization's future development.

Critical to the strengthening of the international order are the interfaces between international economic and security orders, the role of state sovereignty, and the new economic and social actors invoked by globalization. The United States as a hyper-state of the world has been the largest factor and actor in this field in recent decades. But as this Council for Asia-Europe Cooperation (CAEC) volume points out, it is essential that there be debate among Asian and European states concerning the nature of international order so that they too can contribute to the strengthening of international order.The authors delve into the emergence of international order by taking stock of its principles; looking at the agenda for its enhancement by focusing on the traditional political and security agendas, economic problems, and new security issues; and defining policy implications that arise from their analyses.Contributors include Zakaria Haji Ahmad (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Stuart Harris (Australian National University), Joachim Krause (Research Institute of the German Council on Foreign Relations), Kuik Cheng-Chwee (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), Jean-Pierre Lehmann (International Institute for Management and Development, Switzerland), Hanns W. Maull (University of Trier), Roberto Menotti (Centre for International Political Studies, Rome), Simon Nuttall (College of Europe, Bruges), Ogata Shijuro (former deputy governor for international relations, Bank of Japan), Ferruccio Pastore (Centre for International Political Studies, Rome), John Roper (College of Europe, Bruges), Manuel Rosini (World Bank), Busadee Santipitaks (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand), Gerald Segal, International Institute for Strategic Studies, London), Djisman S. Simandjuntak (Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta), Darmp Sukontasap (Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok), and Jusuf Wanandi (Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Jakarta).The Japan Center for International Exchange acts as the Asian secretariat for CAEC.

This edited volume examines contemporary relations between Europe and Asia through the prism of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). ASEM is an informal forum for dialogue and cooperation between 53 partners from both regions. Having started in 1996, ASEM aims to enhance political dialogue, strengthen economic cooperation, and promote socio-cultural exchange. The book provides insights into past achievements, current challenges, and possible new directions for ASEM as a dialogue forum. The chapters focus on institutional design, the security agenda, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange and civil society outreach through the Asia-Europe Foundation. They also zoom in on ASEM’s Parliamentary Partnership, and the ongoing challenge of public awareness and visibility. Furthermore, they critically examine the implications of the widening process, the attempts to reinvigorate the forum, and the varied perspectives on ASEM’s value for both regions. Appealing to policy-makers, researchers, and students, this volume provides an in-depth analysis of a wide range of issues relating to the role of ASEM in contemporary international relations.

Regional cooperation and integration have emerged as key issues for East Asia following the financial crisis. This book explores these issues, and examines the degree to which a new paradigm is emerging. It reviews the evolution of the concepts and practices of regionalism in East Asia, and considers the factors which are shaping new patterns of regional co-operation and integration. It includes discussions of historical developments, economic co-operation, socio-political factors, and defence and security. It considers the role of those states, including China and Japan, which have distinctive approaches to international relations, and assesses the role of regional international bodies such as ASEAN.

Asia and Europe provides a thorough examination of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) process which brings together the 15 EU member states, the European Commission and ten East and Southeast Asian countries.

This book examines the interregional relations of the European Union with East Asia through the prism of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). ASEM currently brings together 16 Asian countries, the 27 member states of the European Union, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat and the European Commission. ASEM's ten-year anniversary and the Sixth Summit in Helsinki prompted reflection on the forum's accomplishments in three dimensions of interaction, its working methods, democratic involvement, public awareness and global strategic potential. The volume provides an in-depth evaluation of ASEM's first decade from a European perspective, including the achievements of the ASEM6 Summit and its implications for the future of the process. It also analyzes the role of interregional interaction as a tool for EU foreign policy.