FOCUS ASIA | IRSEA

General Considerations

Built on a think-tank system, IRSEA's aim is to bring its contribution for promoting the values of Europe in Asia and those of Asia in Europe, being a strong believer in the reciprocal benefits of a consolidated relation between the two continents. Since its founding, IRSEA has been working for a more robust interaction between Europe and Asia, knowing that the most important factor to create and develop friendly relations it is the reciprocal knowledge of each other. Our FOCUS-ASIA section is meant to promote this very purpose, particularly throughout the young generation.

Regional Developments - South-East Asia

As far as Southeast Asia is concerned, one could identify several important developments. The first reference goes to the process of regional integration, launched in 2015, known as ASEAN COMMUNITY, which is based on three pillars: political and security, economic and social and cultural, under the motto – one vision, one identity, one community. It represents a great achievement for ASEAN as regional organization of economic cooperation. In fact, ASEAN has become the driving force in the region's political, strategic, economic, social and cultural architecture as a strong chain of dialogue has been established between its partners.

In the Chairman’s Statement of the 32^nd ASEAN Summit, held in Singapore, on April 29 2018 it is stated: “We reaffirmed the importance of maintaining ASEAN Centrality and unity in our Community-building efforts and engagement of external partners. We welcomed initiatives that reinforce an ASEAN-centric regional architecture that is open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based. These initiatives will build upon ASEAN-led mechanisms including the ASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three (APT), East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). We look forward to further discussion on recent initiatives, including the Indo-Pacific concept” (full statement available here).

The rapprochement between ASEAN and the EU is a very significant development with a long and standing substance, as it has served as the basis for the creation of Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), in 1996, which to this day remains the main platform for dialogue between the two continents.

PRESIDENT OF IRSEA

Former Ambassador Gheorghe SAVUICA

ASEAN – EUROPEAN UNION

ASEAN- European Union Dialogue Relations

Overview

ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2018-2022)

Bandar Seri Begawan Plan of Action to Strengthen the ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership (2013-2017)

Plan of Action to Implement the Nuremberg Declaration on an EU-ASEAN Enhanced Partnership (2007-2012)

ASEAN, EU launch flagship programmes on policy dialogue and economic integration

2nd ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights - 29 November 2017

Phidel Vineles, Managing Labour Mobility: Stronger ASEAN Integration?, 14 March 2018

http://asean.org/asean/external-relations/european-union/

Relaţiile UE-ASEAN – interviu cu ministrul afacerilor externe, Teodor Meleşcanu, pentru “Agenda Globală”, Radio România Actualităţi

Enhancing human rights protection and promoting democracy

Bridging the Eu and ASEAN 40 years of cooperation and prosperity

ASEAN COMMUNITY

The Asean community – Emerging region in the global community of nations

Comunistatea Asean- Regiune emergenta in comunitatea globala a natiunilor

2010 - The year for ASEAN Free Trade Arias (FTAs), a catalyst for the ASEAN Community by 2015

Is Romania ready for Asean community?

THE MOST CHALLENGING EVENT FOR ASEAN IS COMING SOON

INTRODUCTION: Under the current world developments, which created strong fears and uncertainties in South East Asia and, equally, everywhere else on our planet,

Great Power Competition in Technology: Implications for ASEAN

INTRODUCTION: Amid great power tensions, Elina Noor suggests measures that ASEAN can take to proactively shape its technological future, highlighting the importance of a people-centred approach.

Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship 2025: Strengthening regionalism, inter-regionalism and Global South mobilisation

INTRODUCTION: Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship comes at a critical juncture, as it seeks to strengthen regionalism, inter-regional ties, and Global South cooperation

Placing ASEAN amidst a growing US-China competition

INTRODUCTION: ASEAN must reinforce its unity and centrality, leveraging strategic partnerships like India to navigate shifting geopolitics.

Myanmar shows ASEAN centrality is weakening

INTRODUCTION: ASEAN remains divided on the Myanmar crisis, with internal rifts undermining efforts to implement its Five-Point Consensus.

The ADMM-Plus at 15

INTRODUCTION: The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus marks its 15th anniversary this year.

ADMM-Plus Observership: Managing Inclusivity and Openness Amid Geopolitical Rivalry

INTRODUCTION: The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus continues to draw attention from Western countries seeking to participate in the forum.

Malaysia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN: Between Continuation and Adaptation of the Myanmar Crisis

INTRODUCTION: The ongoing civil strife in Myanmar has escalated into a humanitarian crisis and is one of ASEAN’s pressing challenges.

ASEAN adapts and advances as global politics shift

INTRODUCTION: ASEAN, now under Malaysian leadership, is well-equipped to manage international challenges in 2025 due to its vibrant economy

New ASEAN Power Grid Agreement Must Reflect New Needs

INTRODUCTION: It’s time to incorporate new key priorities into the pact to better address current realities of energy interconnection and serve future needs.