ASEM

Finnish-Japanese study claims ASEM process fails in its goals

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The Europe Asia Meeting, which was established ten years ago, has not achieved the goals that had been set for it, says a study published in March this year by the Network of European Studies of the University of Helsinki and the Japan Center For International Exchange.
      The study, ASEM in its Tenth Year, concludes that the discussion forum has not completely met the expectations placed in it, and that its full potential has not been utilised.
     
One of the original aims of ASEM was to a large degree to give the EU an economically stronger foothold in Asia. ASEM also aims at strengthening the role of the EU and deepening its relations with Asian countries.
      Trade between the EU and Asia has, in fact, grown tremendously. Between 1995 and 2004 exports by the European Union to the ASEM countries have increased by 56 percent and imports by 137 percent.
      However, ASEM’s role in easing trade is questionable.
      "Concrete results, however, are generally deemed insufficient", the study observes, noting that the lack of binding tools to back initiatives reduces the importance of background work linked with trade and investments. "Cooperation has not been efficient, and only a few working groups have been productive", the study states.
      The authors do not feel that cooperation within ASEM has been reflected in trade relations between the EU and China.
     
Europeans are annoyed that the Chinese are not sufficiently willing to open their markets to Europeans, although China is a member of the World Trade Organisation.
      At the same time, cheap Chinese products have posed a threat to the European home market. Imports of Chinese goods to Europe have grown by as much as 382 percent in the 1995-2004 period.
      One of the problems of ASEM is its heterogenous nature.
      The 25 member states of the European Union are able to speak in one voice in ASEM, but the Asian member states have sharp differences on many questions.
      Politically the EU has tried to promote human rights in ASEM. For instance, the EU is sharply opposed to the death penalty in all situations, whereas executions are in common use in Asia.
     
Human rights violations in Myanmar are a constant topic of dispute. Two years ago Myanmar was invited to the ASEM negotiating table, but the Europeans demanded that the country respect human rights. In spite of the EU demands, the situation has not improved.
      "The EU is disappointed in the lack of democracy and human rights reform in Myanmar. No progress has occurred in this", said Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja in September.
      Human rights in Myanmar will be discussed in Helsinki at the ASEM summit, which Myanmar’s Foreign Minister is expected to attend.
      ASEM is also expected to accept new member states. The Europeans want EU membership applicants Romania and Bulgaria to join, while the Asians are putting forward India and Pakistan.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Asian countries bring their old grudges to ASEM in Helsinki (7.9.2006)

Links:
  ASEM in its Tenth Year (PDF file)

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