ABSTRACT
The introduction presents this book as an empirical case study, explains its aim and the overall argument, and the questions that addresses while contributing to the literature on European foreign policy and its relations to Southeast Asia. It clarifies that, while the various chapters are engaged with exploring the answers to the book’s crucial questions, the conclusion attempts to provide an outlook concerning the future evolution of European foreign policy in the region and suggests recommendations. It explains that this book complements rather than competes with other books, and indicates why this book’s goal is important, thus highlighting the relevance of this research focus. Further to presenting the structure and summary of the book’s seven contributing chapters, this introduction places emphasis on the methodological positions in the debate on the EU as a global actor, and explains why foreign policy analysis is useful to accomplish this investigation.
