ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the ways in which the European Union (EU) responds to the dynamics of the wider region, specifically by consolidating its relationship with the Asia-Pacific and providing a comprehensive approach to Asia. It discusses the extent to which the perspectives for EU engagement would be limited if its allies and partners see it as primarily an economic competitor. Hence, the chapter argues that, though trade and economics are crucial, ‘trade-only’ is no longer an option because the EU would miss today’s reality owing to the uncontrolled conflict and crisis in the area that have a systemic global impact. The chapter analyses the political and security interests that the EU and its member states share with the countries in the region. Also, it argues that the EU has a profound interest in seeing that the Asia-Pacific follows a path of democratisation, regional cooperation and peace, and that Myanmar also follows these processes. The political and security elements of the EU’s policy towards the region lead the chapter inevitably to focus on the re-emergence of China and its competition with the United States (US) concerning the strengthening of their contending influence, and how the EU should more confidently consolidate its presence there.
