1. ASEAN's relations with the European Union: obstacles and opportunities
- Author
-
Moeller, Joergen Oerstroem
- Subjects
European Union -- International relations -- Evaluation ,Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- International relations -- Evaluation ,Commercial treaties -- Analysis ,International agencies -- International relations -- Evaluation -- Analysis ,Political science ,Regional focus/area studies ,Evaluation ,Analysis ,International relations - Abstract
The European Union (EU) and ASEAN have over the years come to appreciate each other as important and reliable partners sharing the same basic outlook on global politics and economics. Gradually a mechanism for consultation has been built up and it seems to work well despite some problems. Nevertheless it is puzzling why the relationship has not moved from a consultative one to a more substantive one. One reason may be that trade and investment flow smoothly without a formalized framework. This is, however, not a convincing reason. It is more likely that the EU and ASEAN have never really fully understood each other, what their respective objectives are and how they work. In 2006 the EU finally opened the door to negotiations for a free trade agreement with ASEAN, something, which had been on the ASEAN wish list for a number for years. Hopefully this will pave the way for a relationship not only rich in declarations and good intentions, but also of substantial character. Keywords: ASEAN, European Union, FTAs, ASEM, TAC., Introduction Over the years diplomacy has gradually taken on a more multilateral character and few nation-states handle their relations with other countries and/or groups of countries outside a multilateral framework. [...]
- Published
- 2007