ASIAN AFFAIRS ON ASEM Goh Chok Tong - Prime Minister of Singapore The Past The post-Cold War landscape is complex. There are many centres of growth and influence. North America, with the US at its centre, is a key region. But there are other regions, such as Europe and Asia, which are also important players in the global economic and political order. The fundamental dynamic is a triangular one, between North America, Europe and Asia. When the Cold War ended, one side of this triangle was already well developed. The transatlantic alliance between the US and the EU is built on strong historical, cultural, political, economic and security links. Relations between Asia and North America are more recent but have been developing rapidly under the framework of APEC, particularly since the institutionalisation of the annual APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. The weakest side of the triangle is the relationship between Asia and Europe. Before 1996, there was no framework for Asia and Europe to engage one another. It was against this backdrop that Singapore mooted the idea of ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting). The idea was for a process to bring the two regions closer. In March 1996 in Bangkok, for the first time, the fifteen leaders of the European Union and ten leaders from Asia met in a single venue and engaged in a candid dialogue on challenges facing the two regions. They agreed that the ASEM process would be founded on three pillars: political dialogue, economic co-operation and people-to-people links. ASEM Leaders have since met a second time in London to deepen the nascent partnership. As we look forward to a third gathering in Seoul in October, it is appropriate to reflect on ASEM’s achievements, and on its future. The key objective of ASEM is to provide a platform for greater dialogue between Asia and Europe. Towards this end, I believe we have come far. ASEM has increased and regularised the contact between the two sides. The dialogue has expanded beyond the Leaders Summit, to include meetings at the level of Foreign, Economic, Finance and Science and Technology Ministers and officials. At the people-to-people level, the Asia-Europe Foundation, set up in Singapore in 1996 by the ASEM leaders, has promoted contact among a wide spectrum of Asian and European societies. There is a perception that political dialogue is lagging behind the other two ASEM pillars of economic cooperation and people-to-people links. It is natural, however, that political dialogue will move at a slower pace because of the sensitivities of discussing controversial issues in an open forum. But I believe we can make headway on this matter if we approach it with the correct mindset. The objective of political dialogue within ASEM should not be to resolve our differences and reach a common position, but to build mutual understanding of our respective positions. Asian countries are committed to having a political dialogue, but it is also important to build confidence and mutual trust first. In the long term, this will provide the foundation for a robust dialogue between the two regions. On the economic front too, due to the Asian economic crisis and European economic restructuring, some ideas that have been launched have not had the maximum impact. But overall, I am confident that the groundwork that has been laid in the last four years will eventually yield fruit, especially since Asia is now firmly on the road to recovery from the regional financial crisis. The Future The forthcoming ASEM in Seoul in October 2000 presents an important window of opportunity for Asia and Europe to take their partnership to a higher plane. The strategic rationale for strengthening the third leg of the North America-Europe-Asia triangle remains valid today. If anything, it has been reinforced by globalisation and information technology. Increasingly, geography is becoming irrelevant in today’s world. The futures and fortunes of all regions, including Europe and Asia, are inextricably linked. An enhanced linkage between Asia and Europe would also contribute to a more stable world by building a multipolar world. Working together, Asia and Europe can become more effective players on the global stage. The timing of the Seoul Summit is propitious as the economies of the Asian members are growing robustly again. Opportunities for mutually beneficial economic cooperation are abundant. In the light of this, what goals should Asia and Europe work towards in Seoul? I believe there should be four main objectives. First, there should be a reaffirmation of the strategic importance and relevance of ASEM for both Asia and Europe. The Asian financial crisis is now behind us. Both sides should see how they can work together to meet the challenges of the new century. Second, in Seoul, we can make a modest start to engage each other in political dialogue, not to find faults but to foster greater understanding and better appreciation of each other’s concerns. One way to do this is for each ASEM member to share with other countries its own preoccupations and concerns. The dialogue will then be an exercise in sharing experiences, not to criticise, or dictate or impose views on others. Third, economics must remain the backbone of Asia-Europe relations. The Seoul meeting should come out with a strong statement supporting the multilateral trading system and the launch of a New Round of trade negotiations. Together, the economies of ASEM members make up more than 50% of world GDP. A unified stand by ASEM members can give a strong push to current efforts to launch a New Round. The Leaders should also come out with concrete initiatives on how Europe and Asia can work together to create the knowledge-based economies of the future. We should also explore ways to consolidate and advance Asia-Europe economic relations through existing ASEM mechanisms such as the Investment Promotion Action Plan (IPAP), Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP), and the Asia-Europe Business Forum (AEBF). We should work to ensure that they do not become routine and mechanical exercises. They must be used as a basis for Asian and European countries to open their markets to each other, and also to reach common positions on issues relevant to global trade liberalisation. ASEM III should also consider initiatives on expanding cooperation in IT, especially e-commerce, between Asia and Europe. E-commerce will define the global economic environment of the new century. Asia and Europe, as two key regions, should cooperate in this exciting field and consider the idea of working towards an e-ASEM, a unified environment that would facilitate e-commerce between the two regions. We are not starting from cold here as the EU already has its own plan for an e-Europe. Asian countries too have their own initiatives, such as e-ASEAN. The potential for cooperation is tremendous. Fourth, ASEM III in Seoul must further strengthen people-to-people exchange between Asia and Europe. This is an important pillar that provides the foundation for all other cooperation. Within this pillar, education cooperation is most critical, as it is an investment in the young people who will soon carry and further build this partnership between our two regions. Singapore has launched the ASEM Education Hubs initiative. Under this scheme, Asian and European students will have the chance to spend a semester or two in a prestigious educational institution in Europe or Asia. Our key objective is to encourage and provide opportunities for the future leaders of Asia and Europe to interact with and learn from each other. Conclusion ASEM has begun a process of engagement and exchange between the people and leaders of two very important regions in the world. We can make a difference and improve the lives of our people, by working together to build mutual understanding and enhancing cooperation. ASEM merits the active support of the governments and peoples of Asia and Europe. Autumn 2000 | |||
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