The relations between the EU and ASEAN are characterized by many achievements and many drawbacks in the last decades. Additionally, even though the relations date back to the beginning of the 1970s, they have not fulfilled the expectations of many people in both Europe and Southeast Asia for two main reasons. Firstly, the context in which these relations take place has significantly changed with the end of the Cold War and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Naturally, the aims and objectives of the relationship have to be much broader than thirty years ago, because they have to take into account these changed international circumstances since they do not take place in a vacuum. Secondly, both ASEAN and the EU developed internally, for example through different rounds of enlargements. These internal developments of the two partners have to be taken into account as well, just as the changed international environment.
Since 2001, owing to the reasons mentioned above, new initiatives were proposed to reinvigorate the relationship and to make it more effective in facing the new, profoundly changed international arena. Can these initiatives achieve the aim of improving the relationship and consequently prepare it for the challenging future? The essay will proceed as follows. Firstly, the ‘spider-web’ of relations between the EU and ASEAN will be portrayed to give an impression of the complexity of the relationship. Secondly, the main developments since 2001 will be introduced and analyzed to be able, thirdly, to conclude if the relations are healthy enough to face the challenges of the future.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The ‘Spider-Web’ of the EU-ASEAN Relations
3. The Major Developments in the Relations since 2001
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the evolution and complexity of the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), specifically analyzing the impact of changing international circumstances and internal developments on this partnership since 2001.
- The historical development and institutionalization of EU-ASEAN relations.
- Theoretical perspectives on multi-level governance versus state-centric decision-making.
- Strategic frameworks for cooperation, including the 'Asia Strategy' and the Nuremberg Declaration.
- The role of specific dialogue forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
- The progress and potential of an EU-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Excerpt from the Book
The ‘Spider-Web’ of the EU-ASEAN Relations
The relations between ASEAN and the EU take place on different levels. Mainly, this is caused by the division of competences between the different institutions in Brussels and between the institutions and the member-states. Since the end of the bipolar Cold War, the EU aspires to position itself as a global actor on the changing international scene and tries to create a multipolar world. Thus, the foreign policy competences of the EU were enhanced through the introduction of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the intergovernmental second pillar of the EU, with the Treaty on European Union (TEU) in 1992. This pillar was strengthened with the introduction of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) a couple of years later. However, this is not the only foreign policy instrument in the ‘tool kit’ of the EU. Even before the TEU, the EU had foreign policy instruments or policies at its disposal, for example, the Common Commercial Policy (CCP) or Development Cooperation, which are situated in the supranational first pillar. Furthermore, a third component of the EU’s foreign policy are the different policies and interests of the twenty-seven member states, which shape the EU’s policy to a considerable extent (Lucarelli, 2006, p. 9).
The foreign policy of the EU includes many specific strands and there are three distinct or main actors who decide on foreign policy in the EU. The European Commission, situated in the supranational first pillar, makes foreign policy mainly through the Directorate-General (DG) External Relations and DG Trade. The Council of Ministers, in the intergovernmental second pillar, and the member-states in their respective capitals. Thus, a traditional definition of foreign policy “as the external actions of a state” (Cameron, 2007, p. XIII) is not very helpful to analyse the EU. Foreign policy in the context of this essay is defined, in accordance with Fraser Camerons’s definition, “as all external actions that are undertaken by the actor [i.e. the EU]” (p. XIV), no matter if they are institutionally situated in the first, second or third pillar of the EU’s framework.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides the historical background of the EU-ASEAN relationship and outlines the rationale for the essay, focusing on shifts in international context and internal organizational changes.
The ‘Spider-Web’ of the EU-ASEAN Relations: Discusses the complex decision-making structures within both organizations and explains how these overlapping institutional layers form a 'spider-web' of external relations.
The Major Developments in the Relations since 2001: Analyzes the strategic shifts and new initiatives launched since 2001, including the 'Asia Strategy', the Nuremberg Declaration, and the move toward a Free Trade Agreement.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, noting that while the foundation is strong, the future effectiveness of the partnership depends on sustained political will to overcome internal and external challenges.
Keywords
European Union, ASEAN, Foreign Policy, Multi-level Governance, State-centric model, Nuremberg Declaration, Asia-Europe Meeting, ASEAN Regional Forum, Cooperation Agreement, Trade liberalization, Globalization, Regional integration, Political cooperation, Strategic Framework, FTA negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper focuses on the long-standing diplomatic and institutional relationship between the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include institutional development, the impact of the end of the Cold War and 9/11 on international relations, and the evolution of foreign policy strategies in both regions.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine if the current EU-ASEAN relationship is structured effectively enough to meet the new challenges of the 21st century.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a descriptive and analytical approach, contrasting decision-making models like multi-level governance with state-centric systems to explain the complexity of the partnership.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body covers the structural 'spider-web' of interactions, the evolution of formal agreements from 1980 to 2007, and the analysis of key documents like the Nuremberg Declaration.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as EU-ASEAN relations, regional integration, foreign policy, and strategic cooperation frameworks.
How does the author define foreign policy in this context?
The author defines it broadly as all external actions undertaken by an actor, regardless of whether they are situated in the first, second, or third pillar of the EU framework.
What specific challenge does Myanmar pose to the relationship?
Myanmar's human rights and democracy situation has acted as a significant obstacle, preventing the full extension of the standard cooperation agreements.
What is the significance of the 2007 Nuremberg Declaration?
It reaffirmed the commitment to cooperation and established the path for a Plan of Action (PoA) to serve as a master plan for the 2007–2012 period.
- Quote paper
- MA Judith Becker (Author), 2008, The EU and ASEAN - Ready for the future?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/88574
