Are region-to-region relations between the EU and ASEAN possible?

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Other States, grade: 1,3, King`s College London, language: English, abstract: The relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian

Nations (ASEAN) is perceived as having a unique importance (Camroux 2009: 4). The first formal

meeting between ASEAN and the European Economic Community (EEC) took place in June 1972

(Lim 2012: 47) and was the first of its kind between the precursor to the EU and another regional

entity. Nowadays, the relationship is widely considered as a model for interregional relations

(Camroux 2009: 4). However, there are many obstacles impeding a further institutionalisation of the

region-to-region relations. Negotiations about the enhancement of the cooperation often have stalled

during the past decades and the progress of interregional convergence proceeds slowly.

The following essay will answer the question whether region-to-region relations between the

EU and ASEAN are possible and analyse their degree of the institutionalisation. In order to draw a

picture of the development towards interregional cooperation, the essay will summarise the

historical emergence of the relationship and identify the obstacles within the current state of

interactions. The author will present the argument that region-to-region relations are possible and

already exist. However, he will point out that, because of ASEAN's lacking capacities, the

interregional relations continue to be limited to certain fields and agreements in the economical and

political domain remain mostly bi- and multilateral. The essay will explain the structures of the

already existing interregional cooperation and stress how an enhanced relationship would be

beneficial for both organisations. Finally, it will summarise its findings and provide an outlook for

the years to come.