Germany and Southeast Asia: The challenge of partnership

Germany and Southeast Asia: The challenge of partnership

Bantarto Bandoro, Editor, 'The Indonesian Quarterly',
Centre For Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta,
bandoro@csis.or.id

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is visiting the Southeast
Asian region. His visit to several Southeast Asia countries is
aimed at reinforcing Germany's Asia policy which aims at forging
closer links with Asia, particularly the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations or ASEAN (The Jakarta Post, May 12). In its
conclusion on the Commission's Asian Strategy, the Council of the
European Union underlined, in December 2002, the need for
regional dialog to tackle global issues. Thus, Schroeder's visit
must not be seen from a bilateral perspective only. Germany,
together with the European Union, are ready to work in
partnership with Asian countries, which can be an engine for
global security as well as sustainable global prosperity.

The chancellor's visit is significant both for Southeast
Asia's regional development and stability as well as for securing
long-term German interests in the region. For Germany, their
"Asian policy" does not necessarily mean that they view Asia as a
single homogeneous area which fits into a uniform plan.

Germany views the region not only as the most populous and
diverse in terms of culture, politics and religion, but also as
one of the world's most dangerous hot spots. Here in Asia, we
find conflicts in the Korean Peninsula, the Taiwan Straits and
South China Sea.

Asia is the scene of regional arms races, right up to the
nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan. In East and
Southeast Asia, capable trade partners and attractive investment
locations have already emerged for German business. Thus, German
and European interest in Asia stretches far beyond purely
economic interests. Germany and in particular Southeast Asia
could, in a spirit of partnership, work out solutions to the
problems both have in the region.

The visit of the German Chancellor also reflects the reality
of an interdependent world, meaning that challenges emanating
from within and outside the region, which may have an immediate
policy impact on both sides would have to be tackled together.
Both Germany and Southeast Asia have learned that Sept. 11 has
also brought with it the globalization of terrorism and of
injustice.

Things like globalized terrorism and the erosion of government
control all demand a fresh, creative and joint response from
Germany and countries in Southeast Asia.

It is not a political coincidence that most ASEAN member
countries and Germany are in favor of multilateralism. Such a
common stand on certain international issues would help both
sides to better coordinate their policies. A continued
partnership would raise their role in regional and global
security and politics.

Thus, it is not an exaggeration to state that Germany and
Southeast Asia both have a commitment to build a peaceful world.
But new joint policies in that regard would be considered
ineffective, unless anchored in a multilateral structure of the
United Nations. Indonesia and Germany have long supported a
restructuring of the Security Council to include a permanent and
non permanent seat for Asia.

ASEAN should not miss the opportunity offered by the visit of
the German chancellor. His Southeast Asia diplomacy is
significant for the country and the region for several reasons.

First, the visit takes place at a time when we are
experiencing a real democratic process in our political life, and
thus we can convince the chancellor of our sincere commitment to
create a truly democratic state.

Second, we have the opportunity to demonstrate to Germany
ASEAN's achievement in strengthening regional cooperation and
collaboration through joint development. ASEAN wishes to be seen
by Germany, and the European Union, as the engine of conflict
prevention, regional conflict settlement and the fight against
terrorism.

Third, we can also explore the possibility of securing
Germany's technological assistance so that Indonesia and other
ASEAN members can keep abreast of the rapid developments in
information and communication technology. Four, the visit will
open opportunities for Indonesia and Germany to explore fresh
ways to handle the issue of terrorism. This should be seen as
part of a joint plan drawn up by the German Crime Fighting Agency
when they visited Jakarta on April 30.

Schroeder's visit to Southeast Asia will be a new landmark in
German-Southeast Asian relations as the visit takes place during
turbulent times. The visit will add a new dimension to the
partnership, because Germany and countries in Southeast Asia face
momentous challenges which no one could have foreseen a few years
ago.