Applying established theories to concrete phenomena, Asian-European Relations provides a comprehensive understanding of inter-regionalism and how co-operation between Asia and Europe should be fashioned in the new millennium. It contributes to the most recent developments in research by providing impressively rich studies to test existing theoretical frameworks

This edited volume examines contemporary relations between Europe and Asia through the prism of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). ASEM is an informal forum for dialogue and cooperation between 53 partners from both regions. Having started in 1996, ASEM aims to enhance political dialogue, strengthen economic cooperation, and promote socio-cultural exchange. The book provides insights into past achievements, current challenges, and possible new directions for ASEM as a dialogue forum. The chapters focus on institutional design, the security agenda, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange and civil society outreach through the Asia-Europe Foundation. They also zoom in on ASEM’s Parliamentary Partnership, and the ongoing challenge of public awareness and visibility. Furthermore, they critically examine the implications of the widening process, the attempts to reinvigorate the forum, and the varied perspectives on ASEM’s value for both regions. Appealing to policy-makers, researchers, and students, this volume provides an in-depth analysis of a wide range of issues relating to the role of ASEM in contemporary international relations.

The Handbook provides a comprehensive range of contributions on the relations between the EU and Asia - two regions undergoing significant changes internally yet also developing stronger relations in the context of an emerging multi-polar world. It collates some 40 contributions from various disciplines by contributors from throughout the world.

This book examines the interregional relations of the European Union with East Asia through the prism of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). ASEM currently brings together 16 Asian countries, the 27 member states of the European Union, as well as the ASEAN Secretariat and the European Commission. ASEM's ten-year anniversary and the Sixth Summit in Helsinki prompted reflection on the forum's accomplishments in three dimensions of interaction, its working methods, democratic involvement, public awareness and global strategic potential. The volume provides an in-depth evaluation of ASEM's first decade from a European perspective, including the achievements of the ASEM6 Summit and its implications for the future of the process. It also analyzes the role of interregional interaction as a tool for EU foreign policy.

Europe and Asia are two major centres for the development of multi-polar and multi-lateral relations. This volume explores the substance and manner in which the member countries of the EU and their Asian counterparts interact at bilateral, multi-lateral and inter-regional levels.

Following the Lisbon Treaty, the powers of the European Parliament in external relations have gradually expanded and it is increasingly influencing the foreign policy of the European Union. This book analyses the role of the European Parliament as an international actor and presents a new debate about its role outside the EU territory. It explores different policy areas including human rights, international aid, trade, crisis management and the environment to provide a systematic analysis of the modern global role of the European Parliament. The book also considers the European Parliament’s regional interactions with Africa, Latin America, the United States, Asia and the Middle East. With a common analytical framework and research covering the lifespan of the European Parliament from its first direct elections in 1979 to the present day, this comprehensive volume presents an unparalleled analysis of one of the most important institutions in the European Union. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of European Union politics and institutions, European policy, government, international relations and European history.

This title was first published in 2000: When the second Asia-Europe meeting took place in London in April 1998, the EU's economic motivation of building strong links with Asia was challenged by the ongoing Asian economic crises that broke out in mid-1997. The political and social turmoil that ensued in many East Asian economies not only urges the re-examination of the East Asian economic miracle, but also reprioritizes the regional agenda and thus embarks on a new environment for Asia-Europe co-operation. The impact of this Asian turbulence on the establishment of the long-term Asia-Europe equal partnership in general and the ASEM process in particular are addressed in this book, based on the conclusions of the 1998 Asia-Europe Co-operation Forum. The aim of this book is to examine the background causes, responses, prospects and lessons of the first wave of financial crisis in Southeast Asia, and to then move on to an analysis of developments in Asia-Europe co-operative relations after the onset of the crisis. It examines the importance of continued interregional economic co-operation between ASEAN and the EU, looks at the economic impact of the 1997/98 East Asian financial crisis on the EU and analyzes the economic fabric of ASEM. In the final chapter, the book explores how the ASEM process has furthered the development of interregionalism in world affairs and discusses how the crisis has led to uncertainty for the organization's future development.

The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) is an interregional forum for political dialogue, education and culture, security and business, aimed at enhancing relations between Asia and Europe to achieve a better interregional balance in the spheres of politics, economics and culture. Its members are the seven ASEAN countries and the 15 EU countries. This book addresses three questions of central importance to the ASEM process and to the involvement of the private sector: What role can Europe and Asia play in managing an integrated global economy? What will be the role of the private sector in boosting the ASEM process? And how can the full potential of ASEM be realised? The contributors to the volume are Asian and European academics, politicians and businessmen who have been involved in the process from the very beginning.

Since the 1950s, Japan-Europe relations have been characterised by a mutual coldness in terms of diplomatic dialogue, punctuated by a number of trade disputes. This book analyses the development of the political and diplomatic relationship between Japan and Europe, and shows that – especially during the Cold War years – whilst they share a wide range of political values and goals, the quality of diplomatic relations has often been sacrificed to both overcome trade issues and as a result of systemic factors. Focusing on the institutionalization of relations between Japan and the EU, this book examines both the historical-diplomatic dimension and political-strategic discourse. It traces the historical development of the relationship from the post-war years, to the signing of the Japan-EU action plan in 2001, which marked a key turning point in the relationship. It goes on to examine the achievements and criticisms of ASEM, the Asia-Europe Meeting, which whilst meeting successfully for the past sixteen years, has also been condemned as little more than a talking shop. Crucially, Oliviero Frattolillo’s analysis clearly demonstrates how the interaction between Japan and the EU has been constructed on the basis of their perceptions of each other, thus underlining the inherent impact of different political identities, cultures and values on international relations. Providing a keen insight into Japan-EU relations, this book will appeal to students and scholars of Japanese and European history and politics, as well as those interested in the history of international relations and security studies.

This unique book provides both Asian and European perspectives on a diversity of topics concerning the relationship between Asia and Europe. There are in-depth analyses of the most crucial issues including historical and cultural links, political aspects and linkages, and economic partnerships.