Lecture: The Importance of Asia in the EU’s Global Strategy

ABOUT THE LECTURE
The role and relevance of the European Union (EU) in the Asia-Pacific region is influenced by a rising China and its relations with the US, ASEAN’s efforts to assert its centrality in the region, and Japan’s eagerness to regain the stronger role it once held. As the largest economy in the world on aggregate, the EU collectively is expected to play a commensurate role in international politics and master the serious challenges faced.

Based on the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU has developed a policy framework for Asia which is constantly updated and further developed. Featuring a ‘comprehensive’ approach, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission has strived to integrate foreign, trade and development policies, engage in crisis management, and resolve the ever-evolving area of non-traditional security threats. The lecture will outline EU’s objectives in Asia in the bilateral (free trade and political framework agreements) and multilateral contexts (ASEAN, ARF, ASEM), and emphasis the interdependence of Asia and Europe as important stakeholders in each other’s security.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Professor Michael Reiterer is the Principal Advisor at the Asia-Pacific   Department of the European External Action Service (EEAS), former EU ambassador to Switzerland, Minister/Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Japan, ASEM Counsellor. His previous assignments include Austrian Deputy Trade Commissioner to Japan (Tokyo) 1985-1989 and to Western Africa (Abidjan, Côte d’ Ivoire) 1982-1985; research assistant at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva (1981).

REGISTRATION
For registration, please fill in this form and email to ascevents@iseas.edu.sg by 25 February 2016.