The EU and ASEAN could view disruptions as opportunities to collaborate and strengthen ties. Dr Alica Kizekova said this at a seminar on 4 September organised by the Centre for Multilateralism Studies (CMS). She emphasised that they should not try to be role models for each other, given their fundamental differences – the EU is a supranational entity, while ASEAN is an intergovernmental organisation.
Dr Kizekova, a lecturer at Curtin University’s Faculty of Humanities in Perth, Australia examined the EU Indo-Pacific Strategy and ASEAN’s Outlook, highlighting areas of complementarity like infrastructure, climate efforts, maritime security, and norm-setting in multilateral groups. Examples of successful cooperation include the EU-ASEAN Air Transport Agreement. Challenges include limited institutional overlap and uneven implementation due to diverse priorities. She called for empowering small and medium-sized states as bridge builders between the North and South, East and West, fostering inclusive governance to ensure stability, and leading coalitions on climate change and digital economy issues.
Dr Kizekova analysed EU dynamics, noting that policymaking is dominated by Western European countries like Germany and France. She said the EU must collaborate more with diverse nations and regional groups, including non-“like-minded” partners, and consider the interests of central and eastern European countries for better policies. She stressed that small and middle powers should play a role in fostering partnerships.
Assistant Professor Sarah Teo, who was a discussant at the seminar, suggested that, with a more contested international order, we might need to rethink how we evaluate institutional effectiveness, as ASEAN and the EU face similar issues that could blur distinctions. She also wondered what small and middle powers can do to protect their autonomy. Dr Kizekova agreed, adding that the EU should adopt a less ideological and more pragmatic approach in diplomacy, similar to Singapore’s, focusing on building diverse partnerships beyond just “like-minded” states. This will enable the EU to address multiple global issues and improve the lives of its citizens.
