Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)

AUSTRALIA IN THE ASIA EUROPE MEETING: WHAT MIGHT WE EXPECT?

by Philomena Murray*
Jean Monnet Chair ad personam, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Melbourne (pictured below left)

The Australian Prime Minister is expected to attend the 8th ASEM Summit in Brussels on 4-5 October 2010. I have had the pleasure of participating in conferences and presentations on this issue recently in Brussels, Singapore and Melbourne and there is considerable interest in the role that Australia will play. I suggest that Australia can be expected to punch above its weight and to play a distinctive role in Asia-Europe dialogues, given its affinity with the countries of Asia and its common values with the EU. ASEM provides an opportunity for Australia to interact in a single forum with key partners in each region, and to influence agendas and deepen relations with both sets of interlocutors. Yet this engagement is not without its challenges. The challenges are to seek to influence agendas that are central to Australia 's interests in both regions and to seek to influence ASEM members who also participate in groups such as the G20 and other multilateral fora. It is also important to draw on commonalities of norms and values where appropriate with partners in ASEM, and to recognize significant divergences in this regard.

The informal nature of ASEM is an advantage for socialization and discussion. Yet some institutional adaptation by government will be required, as Australia participates in ASEM with all the complexities of having an EU as a skilled negotiator while at the same time with ASEAN and other Asian powers with different informal approaches and no distinctive Asian narrative.

Australia could develop issue-based leadership within ASEM, taking the lead on some issues in which it has a special interest, for example, with a small number of other members of ASEM to drive an issue. It will be important to play a key role in ASEM's Asia Europe Foundation, given its extensive linkages with Asian and European educational establishments and cultural traditions.

Australia could build on its reputation as a mediator, bringing together broad coalitions. There are some challenges for Australia 's persuasive diplomacy. Australia has different values and society from many of its neighbours in Asia. It is therefore important to emphasise the importance of trust and regularity of meetings, building confidence in interlocutors. There are many opportunities and challenges and it seems to me that shared values and a commitment to resolve key transnational challenges will be at the basis of the Australian approach. Australia's role in ASEM, then, will be that of activism, persuasive diplomacy and taking advantage of its unique relationship with both the EU and the Asia Pacific region.

paper: Murray, P. 2010, Australia in ASEM - Engagement and Expectations, in Yeo, LH and Hofmeister, W, eds. The Asia-Europe Meeting: Engagement, Enlargement and Expectations. ( Singapore : EU Centre and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung) 

Professor Murray also presented on ASEM and Australia's role at the Joint Committee on European Affairs of the two houses of Parliament (Oireachtas) in Dublin :

P. Murray, EU-Asia Relations and EU-Australia Relations: an Overview, presentation to the Joint Committee on European Affairs, Houses of the Oireachtas, Dublin, 21 July 2010 - transcript at http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=EUJ20100721.xml&Ex=All

*This article represents the views of the author.

updated September 30, 2010