Exploring Interregionalism of EU-ASEAN: A New Phenomenon
Introduction
There is a growing institutionalised relations between world regions today. There are ASEM, FEALAC, EU-LAC and many more. Those similar acronyms cannot be denied to have become a trend in today's international relations. Compared to multilateralism, which is also happening in the global stage with the emergence of MIKTA and BRICS, for example; interregionalism stems from a regional perspective, that 'region' is a significant layer in building or understanding the global governance.
Region itself understood as 'a geographical area consisting of independent states which pursue shared economic, social and political values and objectives' (Hȁnggi et al. 2006, 4). Regions, therefore, is dynamic. It is full with the interaction process of nation states responding to both internal and external factors which constitute their interests toward regional cooperation.
Region is not only political, but also social in the way they function differently and so make it different one another. Here the identity issues are expressed very well: is an organisation of nation states in the region formed for security purposes, economic cooperation, or anything else? The membership might not be the same states for each function and purpose. However, globalisation encouraged by massive development of technology and sciences has blurred such identity boundaries due to increased interaction and communication among states. Regional organisation is now able to develop its external relations and create a new “entity”.
European Union (EU) is one of the strongest regime-building institutions in the world. It was aspired to be a supranational institution and is successful. It is originated from the deepening and widening of older regional organisation in the Europe region, the European Communities. The study of interregionalism was first developed through describing this organisation's actorness. Though the actor-centered framework is often criticised because of its lack in explaining the emerging multiple dialogue hubs or network in the current international stage, explanation about how the EU define and translate interregionalism into its relations with the other regional actors is undoubtedly still relevant to learn, especially for ASEAN countries.
Last year, EU and ASEAN celebrated their 40 years of relations. In addition to being an important trading partner for ASEAN countries, EU and ASEAN has just held the second ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights in November 2017. The EU and ASEAN agreed to continue cooperation and identified specific areas where they would work more closely together, including trafficking in persons, business and human rights as well as women's and children's rights and the rights of migrant workers, and the right to development. The options and opportunities for further institutionalised relations between both regional istitutions are still very wide open. (my)
Objectives
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To describe the new phenomenon in international relations, i.e. interregionalism between two regions in the world;
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To know some international organisations associated with interregionalism; and
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To develop understanding on Europe-Southeast Asia interregionalism through EU-ASEAN relations today.
Activities
Public Lecture, Questions and Answers.
References
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Hȁnggi, Heiner, Ralf Roloff and Jürgen Rüland. 2006. “Interregionalism: A new phenomenon in international relations.” In Interregionalism and International Relations, edited by Heiner Hȁnggi, Ralf Roloff and Jürgen Rüland, 3-14. New York: Routledge.
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Doidge, Mathew. 2014. “Interregionalism and the EU: Conceptualising Group-toGroup Relations.” In Intersecting Interregionalism, edited by F. Baert, T. Scaramagli, F. Söderbaum, 37-54. London: Springer.
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