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In a changing world, Asia and Europe need to deepen ties
Almost no-one foresaw threats like climate change, today’s brand of violent extremism, hybrid war or cybercrime. Yet the maturing ASEAN-EU relationship can now be used as a tool to help us tackle such challenges together.
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The maturing ASEAN-EU relationship can now be used as a tool to help us tackle such challenges together. (Shutterstock/File)
I
n the end, it is simple. Europe needs Asia, and Asia needs Europe. Not only as trading partners, but as friends and allies in a world where the geo-political realities are changing fast, and where global threats and challenges endanger Asians and Europeans alike.
This is what is on my mind as I prepare for the European UnionASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Manila.
After Britain’s referendum last year, rumors of the demise of the EU were greatly exaggerated. Paradoxically, EU public approval ratings have sharply increased since. Brexit shows the benefits of EU membership more clearly than any public relations campaign ever could.
The EU27 are conducting exit negotiations in a unified and well-organized manner, in a spirit of fairness towards Britain.
Whatever the outcome, the EU economy will continue expanding strongly, as it already is. A raft of ambitious new trade deals are being concluded with key partners, including with Singapore, Vietnam and Japan.
In December, EU countries will cross the Rubicon in defense with a major new initiative on capabilities, security research and force projection.
And we already have brought under control a migration crisis far greater in scale than the Vietnamese Boat Crisis over 30 years ago. The EU now looks outward and to the future with a renewed sense of confidence and optimism.
