Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- 1 Introduction — The Eurasian Space: Far More Than Two Continents
- 2 ASEM: Value-Added to International Relations and to the Asia-Europe Relationship
- 3 Collective Identity-Building through Trans-regionalism: ASEM and East Asian Regional Identity
- 4 Inter-regionalism and Regional Actors: The EU-ASEAN Example
- 5 ASEM's Extra-regionalism: Converging Europe's and East Asia's External Projections toward Other Regions
- 6 ASEM — A Catalyst for Dialogue and Co-operation: The Case of FEALAC
- 7 ASEM's Security Agenda Revisited
- 8 The Euro and East Asian Monetary Co-operation
- 9 China and ASEM: Strengthening Multilateralism through Inter-regionalism
- 10 Japan and ASEM
- 11 Korea and ASEM
- Abbreviations
- References
- Contributors
2 - ASEM: Value-Added to International Relations and to the Asia-Europe Relationship
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 October 2015
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- 1 Introduction — The Eurasian Space: Far More Than Two Continents
- 2 ASEM: Value-Added to International Relations and to the Asia-Europe Relationship
- 3 Collective Identity-Building through Trans-regionalism: ASEM and East Asian Regional Identity
- 4 Inter-regionalism and Regional Actors: The EU-ASEAN Example
- 5 ASEM's Extra-regionalism: Converging Europe's and East Asia's External Projections toward Other Regions
- 6 ASEM — A Catalyst for Dialogue and Co-operation: The Case of FEALAC
- 7 ASEM's Security Agenda Revisited
- 8 The Euro and East Asian Monetary Co-operation
- 9 China and ASEM: Strengthening Multilateralism through Inter-regionalism
- 10 Japan and ASEM
- 11 Korea and ASEM
- Abbreviations
- References
- Contributors
Summary
In the run up to the fifth Summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hanoi in October 2004, the issue of ASEM enlargement is taking centre stage. While the Asian ASEM partners insist on a simultaneous enlargement, admitting the three missing ASEAN members, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, at the same time as ten new Member States join the European Union, the Union is prepared to accept unconditionally only Cambodia and Laos but not Myanmar because the EU's Common Position on this country contains sanctions, in particular on the military members of the government.
This problem, which has turned into a question of principle and pride, brings again the question of the nature of ASEM and its role in international relations to the fore. What is ASEM all about, and what functions can it fulfil? ASEM was set up originally to provide a much needed platform for heads of state or government from parts of Asia and Europe to meet and get acquainted during the period of the (East) Asian economic boom. However, ASEM has gradually changed its nature and function in reaction to changes in the international environment.
This chapter attempts to take a fresh look at the role and function that ASEM can usefully play as an inter-regional process in the wider Asia-Europe relationship. Conceptually we can say that ASEM has contributed to multi-level governance in international politics through: Encouraging inter-regional co-operation; promoting intra-regional co-operation and regional identity-building; enhancing or promoting multilateralism.
Concretely, ASEM process has contributed to world governance through: EU acting as a balancing and stabilizing power in East Asia; enhancing the visibility and role of the EU; encouraging multi-dimensional dialogue and co-operation; regime building in specific issue areas; overcoming narrow nationalism; and furthering cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect.
Inter- and Intra-regional Co-operation and Regional Identity Building
It seems natural that the EU should be the champion of inter-regionalism as it has reached the deepest degree of regional integration worldwide.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Eurasian SpaceFar More Than Two Continents, pp. 9 - 22Publisher: ISEAS–Yusof Ishak InstitutePrint publication year: 2004