event

Europe and the Asia-Pacific

Fri. June 13th, 2014
Brussels

Europe has huge interests, but little influence, in the Asia-Pacific. The EU must decide what economic and political role it can play in the region—especially vis-à-vis Europe’s potential partners and strategic priorities.

Carnegie Europe convened a day-long roundtable focused on Europe’s role in the Asia-Pacific. Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, Steven Everts, counselor for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at the European External Action Service, and David Camroux, senior lecturer in Asian studies at Sciences Po, led the discussions.

The following questions were addressed:

Session 1: European Interests in the Asia-Pacific

  • Is there a role for Europe in keeping China’s rise peaceful?
  • How can Europe secure and expand trade relations with Asia?
  • Will Europe’s relations with the region go beyond trade?

Session 2: Europe’s Partners in the Region

  • Who are Europe’s best partners in the region?
  • Could India become a real strategic ally?
  • Should Europe work more or less with the United States than it does currently?

Session 3: Strategic Priorities and Policies

  • How can Europe stay united vis-à-vis China?
  • Can trade and investment agreements be used more strategically?
  • In the future, is there a military role for Europe in Asia?
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.