This presentation represents only the views of the lecturer.

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Do we need an EU strategy towards

Asia?Alain Ruche, Asia Directorate, European CommissionExternal Relations

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 21 April 2010

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Conceptual framework:

making visible what we already know

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1. Common playing field between domestic and

foreign policies

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2. We are in a knowledge society and economy

The social brain

The wisdom of the crowd

Co-creative process

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Is Google making us stupid?

Is technology turning us into hermits?

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"... or hermits?"

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but…

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The EU anticipated well

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But how far did it deliver?

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13creativity is an asset

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3. We are in an interpolar world

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4. We live in a complex system

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Let’s take risks!

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EU-ASIA relations in brief

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EU-Asia: today

Asia is important to the EU

We are everywhere in Asia

We do everything in Asia

Added value of the EU in

Asia

EU smart power in Asia

What Asians think of us

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Why we need a new EU strategy towards Asia

Some political convergence in Asia

Asia will growingly matter to the EU

Others have one Asian strategy

The influence of Asian partners

We need to connect Central Asia with Asia

A flexible ‘regional approach’

Coherent mix of EU interests,

responsibilities and values

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Strong demand for Europe in Asia which calls for a global answer towards the region!

Will the EU ever speak with one voice?

Defending the interests of EU citizens outside

Mutual understanding needs a broad playing field

A strategy with a built-in flexibility

and differentiation at national/sub-

regional level

Good basis to manage public goods with

Asia in a multilateral context

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Floating ideas for a new EU strategy towards Asia

Western model should not be taken

for granted

The XXIst century will not be Asian

neither

Mutual understanding most

matters

Shared goals and vision between

equal partners

A differentiated, flexible and

connecting strategy

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Pivotal role for regional blocks

Equilibrated approach of ‘strategic partners’

Clearly define EU interests

Concentrate … and abandon

Strategic relevance of knowledge

The EU: a postmodern actor in a global world?

Let’s give room for black swans!

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Questions matter more than answers

How to promote people-to-people diplomacy (students, researchers, academics) between Europe and Asia?

How to use EU assets in a knowledge society?

What is the right proportion of soft and hard power in EU’s smart power?

How to win the race between political and natural tipping points?

How can we think and act so that our grandchildren will tell of us : ‘they had vision!’?

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How to leave space to How to leave space to black swansblack swans

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Another pair of glasses

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The path matters more than destination

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The context is the starting point

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We need shared vision with our Asian partners

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Defining our interests

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With flexibility

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Equal partners

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Mutual understanding most matters

This presentation represents only the views of the lecturer.

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Thank you!