Following official correspondence carried out between H.E. Ambassador (p) Gheorghe Savuica, President and Founder of the Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies (IRSEA) and Mr. Choi Shing Kwok, Director and Chief Executive Officer of ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, the two leaders agreed to start an informal, non-binding, cooperation partnership between their two respective think-tanks.

The two leaders also agreed that their respective teams would work together to explore, analyse and implement pragmatic means of mutually beneficial cooperation based on their research interest and common will to make Asia better known to Europeans and showcase Europe’s will to further strengthen its interaction with Asia. In fact, the two respective teams have already agreed to showcase relevant research work by their counterparts and to frequently exchange views about the scope and venues of their cooperation partnership.

With regard to the future scope of IRSEA-ISEAS cooperation, both leaders manifested their great appreciation and high expectations for a fruitful cooperation agenda between the two institutions.

The ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS), formerly known asInstitute of Southeast Asian Studies is a Singaporean autonomous organization established by an Act of Parliament in 1968. It was renamed ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in August 2015. ISEAS' primary objectives are: To be a leading research centre dedicated to the study of socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment; To stimulate research and debate within scholarly circles, enhance public awareness of the region, and facilitate the search for viable solutions to the varied problems confronting the region; To nurture a community of scholars interested in the region and to engage in research on the multi-faceted dimensions and issues of stability and security, economic development, and political, social and cultural change.

The Institute conducts a range of research programmes; holds conferences, workshops, lectures and seminars; publishes briefs, research journals and books; and provides a range of research support facilities, including a large library collection.