# CE2004078EN.01036801.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/368 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/368

---

(2004/C 78 E/0388)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1418/03

by Maria Carrilho (PSE) to the Commission

(23 April 2003)

Subject:   Revision of the Europe-Asia strategic framework

Subject:

It is a well-known fact that the deepening of relations between the European Union and Asia is of major importance to both parties. These relations have been stepped up, especially since the mid-1990s, through structures and fora, such as ASEAN-EC/EU meetings (which began in 70s), ASEM, the EU's participation in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as well as the EU-China, EU-India, EU-Japan and, more recently, EU-Korea summits. To give European action more coherence, the Commission published a communication in 1994, entitled ‘Towards a new strategy for Asia’. This framework was reviewed in 2001, even before the events of 11 September, resulting in the Commission communication on ‘Europe and Asia: A strategic framework for enhanced partnerships’ (1). The European Parliament, for its part, adopted a resolution on 5 September 2002, endorsing much of the Commission communication, whose broad lines continued to be adequate.

1

However, following major events such as those of 11 September 2001 and the war in Iraq, with all their implications, would the Commission not consider it appropriate to bring the revision scheduled for 2004 forward to the second half of 2003?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 2003)

(4 June 2003)

The Commission shares the view expressed by the Honourable Member on the importance of deepening relations between the Union and Asia. Accordingly, it has contributed to enhancing these relations through various exchanges and fora as stated by the Honourable Member.

The Commission likewise acknowledges the changes resulting from the events of 11 September 2001 that happened only a few days after the publication of the Communication ‘Europe and Asia: A Strategic Framework for Enhanced Partnerships’.

However, the six general principles set out in this Communication on the Asia Strategy which were endorsed in the Council Decision of 27 December 2001 (2), remain valid and have also covered the priority subsequently given by the Union to Afghanistan. Furthermore, the Resolution of Parliament of 5 September 2002 welcomed the Commission's Asia Strategy and the consistent emphasis it attached to the Union's relations with Asia. This is also reflected in the Commission's current work in co-operation with its delegations in the region in monitoring the results of the actions proposed in the strategy paper. First indications from this exercise suggest positive results.

2

In addition to this monitoring of the Asia Strategy of 2001, the Commission is now in the process of preparing a Communication on a Strategy for Southeast Asia, which will certainly take account of recent developments. The cross-fertilisation of the monitoring and the work on the new Southeast Asia Strategy will then greatly contribute to the review of the overall Asia Strategy and allow the Commission to maintain its calendar for a thorough preparation of its update in 2004.

---

(1)  COM(2001)469.

1

(2)  OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

2

---