EU-ASEAN Relations in the 21st Century: In Search for Common Values to Forge a Partnership

Abstract

In the last 25 years, Asia has been going through dramatic changes and has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing region. The rise of Asia as a new global player is no longer in doubt, and will continue in the next decade to transform the world’s geopolitical landscape. The region has indeed demonstrated a remarkable resilience during the 2008–2009 world economic and financial crisis — despite smaller growth rates, most Asian economies have continued to expand and through the crisis have reinforced their position on the world stage. Asia could be a major contributor to global economic growth in the coming years (co-chair’s statement of the 18th ASEAN-EU ministerial meeting, 26 May 2010).¹ For now, growth is generating wealth, respect and freedom of action. Confident in its economic power and relying on the sheer size of its population, Asia is naturally claiming a new position on the world scene. But will Asia’s growing economic power translate into political and military power? While the global power shift will certainly lead to a multipolar world in the economic sphere, Pax Americana in the region is likely to remain unchallenged for the foreseeable future, despite noises about the decline of American power.² During the transition period conflict between states could arise, and regionalization may offer a better way of governance.