Institutional Deficiencies and Choices for Asia European Cooperation: Issues, Modes and Directions

　　Abstract: The institutional deficiencies of the AsiaEurope Meeting are rooted in the configuration’s lack of a strong member state that can guide and institutionalize the initiative. The three primary limitations to AsiaEurope cooperation are the rise of mutual threats, changes in the distribution of power and the entry of new member states. As the need for crossregional cooperation increases between Asia and Europe, the difficulty of achieving cooperation continues to rise. In order to maintain inertia for continued cooperation, Asia and Europe need to update the agenda for cooperation, and find new modes of and directions for cooperation. To effectively cooperate within a context of imperfect institutions, following a weak mode of cooperation involving liberal and voluntary frameworks is most suitable for Asia and Europe. At the same time, it will be critical for Asia and Europe to enhance their ability to guide cooperative processes and to advance multilateral coordination, and develop cooperation pragmatically in the field of “low politics”.

　　Author: Sun Suyuan is an Assistant Research Professor in the Institute of International Relations and Regional Development of East China Normal University