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.