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