The EU way

The EU way

With little fanfare, Indonesia today hosts the 15th regular
meeting of foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) and
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EU's standing
compared to high-profile, and often controversial, ASEAN affairs
related to the United States, Japan or China, remains just
slightly out of the spotlight.

That is not to say that the ASEAN-EU relationship is of
secondary importance. On the contrary, what it lacks in terms of
the limelight, is made up for by its credible substance and
consistent stances that it maintains with southeast Asian
countries.

As an entity that has neither a physical boundary with
southeast Asia nor a portentous military presence, the EU has
placed itself as a strategic partner, which is perceived with
little suspicion.

One can truly say that the EU is a dialog partner with
political ambitions that are rarely suspect.

That is not to say that the EU does not express discontent
about developments within ASEAN states when there is a problem or
controversy. The EU has remained consistent in expressing
apprehension about developments that it believes impinge upon
democratic progress. However, they have generally avoided the
kind of megaphone diplomacy and open chastising, which
characterize the behavior of certain ASEAN dialog partners.

The EU's firm yet discreet lobbying -- talking rather than
shouting -- is a welcome approach, which helps diplomats focus on
the important substance at hand rather than allowing the debate
to be side-tracked by an insensitive delivery.

We welcome the EU's security focus in tackling the roots of
regional instability and terrorist threats -- poverty, economic
disparity, lack of education, weak democracy and human rights
abuses -- instead of judging a country based solely on the number
of arrests and convictions of terrorists it has made.

ASEAN itself should welcome criticism, reflect on it, and
possibly, make corrections. This is a new era for ASEAN. One that
is more honest and forthcoming about the wrongs that persist
within the region.

ASEAN members must respect each other's sovereignty and right
to resolve domestic issues. But mutual respect is not a license
to ignore incidents of blatant suppression that brings suffering
to people.

Aside from the conventions of diplomacy, Europe's presence in
this region is undeniable. Companies that come from EU countries
are the biggest investors in ASEAN, and the EU is the third
largest trading partner.

Even more encouraging is the people-to-people relationship
between nations in the two regions, which has developed earnestly
beyond just diplomatic circles.

There is much to learn from the EU. The historical, political
and social circumstances differ from southeast Asia, nevertheless
this European community of nations is the best example of what an
ASEAN community may eventually look like. Their experience
provides ASEAN with an outline of the challenges, pitfalls and
opportunities that lie ahead.

Despite the long history of cooperation, there is still much
unfulfilled potential in the ASEAN-EU relationship. It is hoped
that the meeting in Jakarta will provide further impetus in
realizing that potential.