EU - ASEAN: Challenges Ahead

Eingehende Analyse 08-12-2014

The EU and ASEAN are both regional organisations created to manage countries' interdependence and answer regional security challenges. While the two have different histories and integration processes, they correlate as natural partners, with cooperation on integration the core of their relationship. The EU supports ASEAN not only financially but also through exchanges and projects aimed at sharing experiences and expertise. In light of the global shift towards Asia, relations with ASEAN are particularly important for the EU. The Union is seeking to increase dialogue and cooperation with ASEAN, as well as to pursue closer coordination on regional and international issues. The European Parliament can play a role in this by deepening the inter-parliamentary aspect of the relationship and scrutinising EU agreements negotiated with countries in the region.