ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the strategic impetuses behind the expansion of Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union (ASEAN-EU) interregional organisational ties toward a comprehensive Asia-Europe interregional relationship. It summarises the development of bilateral interregionalism in ASEAN-EC/EU relations before the initiation of the EU's new Asia strategy. The chapter discusses the progress in securing the respective strategic gains of ASEAN and the EU after adopting the new interregional strategy. It explores the likely impacts that possible changes in ASEAN after the 1997/1998 Asian turbulence may have on ties between Asia and Europe. The chapter concludes by raising additional variables that will likely affect Asia-Europe relations in the future. The lack of coherent ASEAN policy to cope with the contagious effects of economic disaster led individual countries to fight for their own economic difficulties. The collective measures would first require adjustments to the doctrine of non-interference in the domestic affairs of member states.
