Asia, Europe alliance can fight terror

Chris Patten, European Commission Commissioner for External Relations, The Straits Times, Asia News Network, Singapore

It's more than 10 years since a twist of political fate sent me to Hong Kong. At the time, Asia seemed distant and exotic -- a world away from my British home and my European culture. I learnt a lot during my stay. I returned with a fascination for Asia's cultural diversity and economic dynamism, for the entrepreneurial talent of its people, and for the richness and variety of its political discourse.

My fascination with Asia is undimmed -- but the region seems, perhaps, less remote. The whole world, indeed, has shrunk over the last decade. On both our continents, the dark side of globalization, failing states, the relentless rise of international organized crime and the drugs trade pollute the ordinary lives of people. Terrorist groups spread their tentacles across borders and their attacks know no boundaries.

This month, I will attend the Asia Europe meeting in Bali, only a short drive from the scene of last year's bombing, which killed not only Asians but also Australians and more than 40 Europeans.

Europe is developing a new strategic concept to define a response to modern threats: The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, failing states bred of poverty and bad governance, and organized crime. The threats are not of the classic military variety, and neither are the solutions.

The European Union (EU) believes that by bringing together all the instruments at its disposal -- from diplomacy, development funding and technical assistance, to increased cooperation and trade relations -- it can tackle the root causes of instability and the new threats which face us.

This philosophy underpins the European Commission's latest thinking on Europe's relationship with Southeast Asia, which was adopted in Brussels this week and which I shall present at the Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bali from July 23 to 24.

Regional stability is at the heart of our strategy. We believe that a strong ASEAN is the best guarantee of peace in the region. After all, regional integration in the EU has brought stability to a continent that for centuries has been more accustomed to war than peace, and our experience may hold lessons for others.

The EU will continue to assist any country that needs help tackling terrorism, as well as supporting conflict prevention and settlement. The EU is also determined that migration, people- trafficking, money laundering, organized crime and drug smuggling should be incorporated into all our dialogues, at regional and bilateral level. We will provide technical assistance in these areas, if our Asian partners want it.

The poverty that leaves people vulnerable to these and other illegal activities will remain Europe's development priority in Asia: both for the 700 million euros we contribute directly each year, and in the new aid programs we want to develop with richer countries in the region.

Poverty, crime and the risk of failing states form a vicious circle. Together with its Asian partners, the EU must do what it can to break it.

The EU is ASEAN's third-largest trading partner. Both sides would benefit from the Trans-regional EU-ASEAN Trade Initiative we are proposing. This would remove some of the remaining barriers to trade between us, and within the region.

If it is successful, we could begin to give serious consideration to a free trade agreement, once Doha Development Agenda negotiations are complete. It is a plan which could boost prosperity and help overcome some of the wealth disparities that can undermine stability.

The entrenchment of democracy and human rights is central to our approach. In Asia, you have your own champions. Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi sets an example to the world. Her treatment at the hands of the junta is an international outrage.

We are encouraged by the bold stance ASEAN has taken on this issue. Human rights concern us all. The EU therefore wants to make these issues essential elements in all new agreements that we may sign in the future.

Europe has cut ties with Myanmar, and the EU has imposed sanctions. But we must not let this curb development of our relationship with the region.

We have a new offer. The EU will negotiate new bilateral relationships with any regional state that so wishes, to make possible deeper cooperation.

At the same time, we should aim to get more mileage out of existing regional forums. We should be clearer about what we want to do together in Asia Europe meetings and the ASEAN Regional Forum to ensure their work does not overlap, and that international conferences bring real results.

Life entails risk. We can never hope to eradicate all threats to our security. But we can attempt to make the world a safer and a happier place. Together, Asia and Europe can make a difference.

The writer is former British governor of Hong Kong.