The European Union’s Strategic Interests in East Asia
17 November, 2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speakers: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, EIAS
Dr. Sebastian Bersick, Research Fellow, EIAS
Chair: Mr. Dick Gupwell, Secretary General, EIAS

Download the Executive Summary of the report:
Executive Summary (pdf)

Photo Gallery

The European Union’s Strategic Interests in East Asia
17 November, 2005, EIAS, Brussels

Speakers: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, EIAS
Dr. Sebastian Bersick, Research Fellow, EIAS
Chair: Mr. Dick Gupwell, Secretary General, EIAS

The relationship between the EU and East Asia has evolved in the past decade with both continents undergoing major economic, political and social changes. With China leading the region’s fast economic growth and with political collaboration within the region intensifying, East Asian cooperation has major economic, political and security implications for the world, generating both opportunities and challenges for the EU.

The European Institute for Asian Studies, in collaboration with its consortium partner Nomisma, has recently completed a comprehensive review for the EU entitled “The European Union’s Strategic Interests in East Asia”. The study was commissioned by the EU Commission as a guide to reassessing Europe's strategic interests in East Asia by providing information on the region’s likely development in economic, political, security and socio-cultural terms, with a special focus on intra-regional co-operation - in particular China’s role.

In particular the study aimed to:

• Analyse the current factual situation in the region, and in particular China, including relations with major global powers like the USA, Russia, India and the EU;
• Identify long-term shaping factors that affect/determine co-operation within East Asia and with the EU;
• Undertake a strategic analysis of the major world players in the region;
  Examine the existing EU policies and strategies towards the region and China;
• Analyse the challenges posed by the major powers in the region (Russia, China, USA, India);
Elaborate alternative scenarios, new options and recommendations for EU policies.

Download the Executive Summary of the report:
Executive Summary (pdf)

Photo Gallery