Date: 19 March 2007
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Venue: TPIC-Bancom, Asian Institute of Management
Lessons and Reflections on Regionalization: Asian and European Perspectives
About 200 years ago, the great Napoleon declared his dream of a “European system, a European code of laws, a European judiciary—one people in Europe.” In 1946, renowned British leader, Sir Winston Churchill expressed the same sentiment of a “United States of Europe,” making it inconceivable to take up arms against each other again.
Born out of the ruins of the second world war, the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the European Economic Community founded by six pioneering members- France, Germany, Italy, and the BENELUX countries, have been integrated into a new structure in 1992 under the Maastricht Treaty as one pillar along with two other pillars: Justice and Home Affairs and Common Foreign and Security Policy as the EUROPEAN UNION. In half a century, it achieved the highest economic integration with a single market and currency— the euro. Now, the alliance of twenty-seven countries, representing the world’s largest trading bloc, is a symbol of lasting peace and economic prosperity.
2007 is an eventful year as it marks the 50th anniversary of the European Union and the 10th Anniversary of the Asia-Europe Foundation. In commemoration, the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, the Asia Society Philippine Foundation, and the celebrant, the Asia-Europe Foundation, presented “Lessons and Reflections on Regionalization: Asian and European Perspectives” featuring the former Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Amb. Rodolfo Severino, and the former Deputy Secretary-General of the European Commission, Amb. Bernhard Zepter.
Amb. Rodolfo Severino’s Asian perspective stressed the growing regionalization of east Asia driven by the appreciation of the yen, the opening of China, and paradoxically the antagonisms, mutual suspicions and rivalries between China, Japan and Korea. Intra-regional trade in the locale at approximately 58% has surpassed that of NAFTA and is now close to the European Union’s figures. However, the ambassador points out that although both the ASEAN + 3 and the EU share common goals, their processes differ. In East Asia, market compulsions and the implicit concern over potential for conflict are almost unconscious. While in Europe, regional institutions and the region-wide law are formalized via treaties. Lastly, Amb. Severino shares Dr. Mahathir’s vision, which is the closest to an East Asian integration. However, ASEAN was not responsive of this, proving that the diverse beliefs still dominate and that reaching the level of the European Union is yet to be awaited.
The European Union, on the other hand, is now composed of 493 million European citizens, from 27 countries, with 23 recognized official languages. It produces 30% of the world’s GNP and 19% of world trade. As a German, Amb. Bernhard Zepter is delighted that the Presidency of his country at the Council of the European Union coincided with the timely anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, the baby steps towards what the continent has achieved today. What started as independent nation-states surrendered a degree of sovereignty to a higher goal that is the Union. Amb. Zepter mentions that regionalization and multilateralism have transformed traditional diplomacy. The EU indeed has become a benchmark for interstate relation in the era of globalization. He describes this new form of statehood as sui generis, meaning altogether unique. It is a mix of integration and various levels of cooperation. The fundamental principles of the European Union are as follows: (1) democracy and the rule of law; (2) a new division of power segregating the role of the Council, the Commission, democratic control on the European Parliament, plus specific voting procedures; (3) solidarity; (4) subsidiary and proportionality to ensure the welfare of the smaller and less developed members; (5) the federal nature of the EU and the most important, (6) the development and the definition of a European identity. Amb. Zepter also tackles the key issues of the single market and the euro as incentives to groups other than theirs as well. These establishments are also meaningful to Asia in particular.
After 50 years, what challenges lie ahead for the European Union? Amb. Zepter mentions the future of the European Constitution whose proposal was rejected by France and the Netherlands; and the end of its enlargement— how and when will the EU know where to stop with a line up of pending applications and negotiations.
In the end, both ambassadors agreed that the ASEAN and the European Union must compare notes and demonstrate the clear added value of integration to members and each other. Amb. Zepter traced Asia-Europe interaction back to Greek mythology when the continent acquired the name “Europa,” who is a princess from Asia Minor. Dr. Federico Macaranas, Executive Director of the Policy Center, during his synthesis mentioned that the Philippines obtained its name from a Spanish royalty. He imparted lasting remarks on the two lectures saying that with the complexity of the world, patterns are emerging to bring order. Learning is a two-way partnership and it is not a question of who copies whom. For the European Union, founded during the industrial age, they banked on their coal and steel industries. For Asia at this post-industrial world, perhaps information and communications technology or ICT is the answer. Lastly, he marvels at the butterfly effect, that a single action may create a tsunami over areas beyond the horizon. Therefore, learning is not limited in between the two regions, but between each nation of this rapidly shrinking world.
The programme was participated by other distinguished guests: Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta, Former Deputy Secretary- General of ASEAN and now an Adviser to the AIM President who imparted the Welcome Remarks; Dr. Axel Weishaupt, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Philippines who imparted a congratulatory message for the European Union; Mr. Theo Arnold, Executive Director of the Asia Society Philippine foundation who introduced the two honorable speakers; for the perspectives, Hon. Rodolfo Vicerra, Director-General of the Congressional Planning and Budget Office of the House of Representatives and Hon. Ramon Kabigting, Director IV of the Bureau of International Trade Relations of the Department of Trade and Industry.
The Policy Center acknowledges Mr. Klaus Preschle, Country Representative to the Philippines of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Konrad Adenauer being West Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and its first Chancellor responsible for the establishment of a stable democracy for the war-devastated Germany, a lasting reconciliation with neighbor, France, and an actor in the unification of France and Germany’s coal and steel industries which later on became the European Coal and Steel Community. The Stiftung (Foundation), guided by the principles of the Christian Democratic Movement, which Adenauer headed, promotes international understanding and development policy cooperation and has been an institutional partner of the Policy Center for years.
Lessons and Reflections on Regionalization: Asian Perspective (.pdf)
H.E. Rodolfo Severino
Former Secretary General, ASEAN
Lessons and Reflections on Regionalization: European Perspective (.pdf)
H.E. Bernhard Zepter
Former Deputy Secretary General, European Commission