Regional Integration Through ASEAN
Keynote address by Rodolfo C. Severino,
Head, ASEAN Studies Centre,
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies,
at the Asian-German Dialogue
Singapore, 23 June 2011
Meaning of Regional Integration• Broader meaning:
– Political cohesion– Economic integration– Regional cooperation
• Inter-related• Work in progress (2015?), esp. pol/sec
and socio-cultural• Will take time; never-ending• External relations
Political Cohesion• Vietnam into Cambodia
– Resistance– Political settlement
• Philippines• Myanmar• Human rights• South China Sea• Cambodia-Thailand skirmishes• Blueprint for APSC full of words like encourage, promote, etc.,
but aim is clear – no fighting between members and keeping SE Asia uninvolved in quarrels of major power; inclusive, non-adversarial
Economic Integration
• AFTA– Tariff-cutting on track– NTBs
• AICO working• Other agreements in place:
– Services– Investments– Customs– Standards and conformance– Transport, communications
• Problem: implementation, effectiveness• But commitments
Regional Cooperation
• SARS, other communicable diseases
• Haze
• Drugs
• Terrorism, TNC
• Environment
Obstacles to Integration: ASEAN
• Diversity– Political, economic, social systems– Historic alliances and orientations– Disparities in economic levels– Differences in institutional strength
• Mutual suspicion• Legacy of antagonism• Different values placed on regionalism
Obstacles to Integration: East Asia
• Rivalry among NE Asians
• ASEAN default hub and convenor
• Disparities:– Political– Economic– Social
• Mutual suspicion
External Relations
• Dialogue partnerships
• ARF
• ASEAN+3
• ASEM
• ASEAN+1s
• EAS
• ASEAN-UN
External Relations• FTA: CEP or CEC (mainly political, except
probably ANZ)• China• Japan• ROK• India• ANZ• US?• EU?
ASEAN+3
• CMI:– Surveillance– Swap arrangements– Training and research
• Multilateralization
• Enlargement
• Other areas of cooperation
EAS
• ASEAN+3+Australia, India, NZ• Promoted by Japan, Singapore, Indonesia• Leaders-led• ERIA• Now Russia, US• EAFTA vs CEPEA?• Issues that may arise from US entry:
– CEPEA: ROK FTA experience, TPP, FTAAP– US agenda
What can EU and others do?
• Support for IAI:– Infrastructure– HRD– Reforms
• Do not let Myanmar politics hamper relations with ASEAN
• Rule of law in SCS• AICO
