ASEAN – EIAS

From Landlocked to Landlinked: Transport Connectivity Development in Lao PDR

In December 2021, after five years of construction work, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) inaugurated its first major high–speed railway line. A feat of technology in a landlocked, mountainous country, the Laos-China railway links the capital Vientiane to the Chinese border in less than three hours. A year and a half later, in April 2022, the section was extended by almost 1,000 km to connect the Laotian capital with Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in southern China. Designed to open up the country economically to its partners in Southeast Asia, this railway line is shaping the future of Laos as a country at the confluence of many regional and international influences.

Thailand–EU FTA Negotiations: Hidden Hurdles and Easy Wins

Despite confidence from leaders, both parties are walking a tightrope between their international interests and domestic anxieties.

Building Peace Amid Turmoil: What Role Can The EU Play in Myanmar’s Fragile Path to Stability?

The security environment in Myanmar has been at a critical point for the past few years. Since the 2021 military coup under General Min Aung Hlang, security challenges have reached critical levels both internally and regionally, also spreading beyond Myanmar’s borders. Moreover, Refugee inflows, especially into Bangladesh and Thailand, have added to the already existing challenge of the Rohingya Crisis.

Protecting the Invisible Workforce: The EU’s Support in Safeguarding Migrant Workers in Southeast Asia

Following the European Union’s pledge of financial support for the UN’s ‘PROTECT’ Project, how can the EU deepen its strategic alliance in the Indo-Pacific through initiatives addressing labour migration, human rights, and sustainable economic development? How can these non-security efforts complement its strategic partnerships in the region?

Forging Ahead: Restoring EU-Philippines FTA Negotiations

In the complex geopolitical context shaping international dynamics — characterised by a plethora of (in)security dynamics, encompassing shifting alliances and global tensions — the significance of a solid partnership based on economic resilience and an increase of sustainable development has never been more relevant.

Bamboo Diplomacy Meets 5G: Europe’s High-Stakes Bid on Vietnam’s Telecommunications Transformation

In January 2024, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved Vietnam’s sweeping Information And Communication (IC) Infrastructure Plan For The Period Of 2021 – 2030, With A Vision To 2050. With ambitious goals such as connecting 100% of households to fibre optic cable by 2025 and for “5G mobile broadband coverage to reach 99% of the population” by 2030, Vietnam has gone all-in on overhauling its domestic economic policy to become a technologically integrated, highly developed state with full sovereignty over its data within the next 30 years.

Discussion on EU-ASEAN Economic Relations

EIAS had the pleasure of hosting a delegation of high-ranking decision-makers and academics from six Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) invited to Brussels and Berlin by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. At EIAS they were welcomed for a discussion on EU-ASEAN Economic Diversification Strategies and Enhanced Partnership Opportunities amid Great Power Dynamics on 23 April 2024.

Balancing Environmental and Socioeconomic Priorities: EU-ASEAN Relations and the Deforestation Regulation

On 2 February 2024, the 2nd meeting of the Ad Hoc Joint Task Force (JTF) on the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), between the EU Commission, Malaysia, and Indonesia took place in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The gathering was organised by the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and followed the initial meeting held on 4 August, 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Attended by official representatives and stakeholders from key industries affected by the EUDR, such as palm oil, rubber, cocoa, timber, and coffee, the JTF aims to address concerns raised by ASEAN members, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia, regarding the EU’s deforestation regulation. The establishment of the JTF reflects efforts to enhance communication and mitigate tensions between the EU and ASEAN nations.

EIAS contribution to the Scholars Programme on EU-ASEAN Relations (SPEAR)

On 28 February 2024 EIAS Director Lin Goethals contributed as a speaker to the “Scholars Programme on EU-ASEAN Relations (SPEAR)” organised by the Delegation of the European Union to ASEAN for researchers from the different countries in Southeast Asia. This Fourth Session of the Scholars Programme discussed the EU Strategy on the Indo-Pacific: A Regional Initiative to Complement ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).