EU - Asia relations

EU policy is embodied in a set of recommendations intended to stimulate a more coordinated, proactive strategy, published by the Commission under the title "Towards a New Asia Policy" and endorsed by the European Council at Essen in December 1994.

Priorities are to:

• strengthen Europe's economic presence in the Asian market, assist former state-trading Asian countries to embark on economic reforms, and promote scientific cooperation,
• generate political dialogue to bring the Asian countries into the international community, control the proliferation of nuclear and chemical weapons, and promote respect for human rights and,
• combat poverty and improve primary education, health care, and the environment.

The first 25-nation summit between EU and Asian leaders was held in Bangkok in 1996 to help implement the new strategy and broaden economic and political relations. Two other summits were held in London in 1998 and in the Republic of Korea in 2000.

The EU was at the forefront of international efforts to resolve the Asian financial crisis, and Europe's role has increased since the launch of the euro in 1999.

China: The EU's China strategy is laid out in Building a Comprehensive Partnership with China, a Commission proposal endorsed by the EU's fifteen governments in June 1998. It emphasizes the importance of engaging China further, through an upgraded political dialogue, and advocates the gradual integration of China into the world economy together with the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

ASEAN: The EU is ASEAN's second largest export market and third largest trading partner after Japan and the US. Through the ASEAN Regional Forum established in 1994, the EU and other dialogue partners join the 10 members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations in constructive dialogue on political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region.