How the EU is seen in Asia: and what to do about it

Abstract

In Asia, Europe is no longer seen as a dominant world player and is, in some cases, seen to exemplify the management of decline. More often than not, Europe and the EU are seen to be unstrategic actors in Asia that are preoccupied with relations with China. European states do not act in solidarity in Asia, signalling to Asian states that they are dealing with individual countries and not ‘Europe’ and many Asian observers question whether Europe is clinging to an obsolete world order. However, the opportunity for Europe to rehabilitate its image does exist. The Lisbon Treaty has allowed the EU a greater scope for external action. Treating Asia as an integrated strategic space rather than through the lens of EU-China relations could also do much for Europe’s battered image. Despite increasing negative perceptions of Europe, it still plays an important role in Asia and is seen, with its economic might, to complement the military-strategic role played by the United States in the region.