Geschichte
DASE: The Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and ASEAN
The European Parliament's Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of the Southeast Nations (ASEAN) was established in 1979 to develop links which currently is the eleven member states of ASEAN (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam) and with Association of Southeast Asian Nations - the ASEAN organisation itself.
The main objective of the Delegation (DASE) is to establish, channel and promote parliamentary dialogue between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of the countries and with the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). AIPA is the parliamentary assembly of the ASEAN member state parliaments. The European Parliament was the first official observer to AIPA and is now a contributing observer to AIPA with an annual financial contribution to AIPA.
Parliament resolutions in the past have stressed that cooperation could be strengthened to address global challenges such as climate change, international crime and terrorism, border management, maritime security, financial sector development, transparency and macroeconomic policies. Members have also emphasised the pursuit of a high level of EU-ASEAN cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the UN and WTO. Parliament has called for the EU to upgrade and intensify its diplomatic efforts with ASEAN in order to contribute to greater stability and security in conflict areas with renewed tensions. On human rights Parliament has made a number of urgency resolutions. Parliament has been concerned about the regression of democracy, violations of human rights and minorities.
In January 2021 Parliament adopted resolution on Connectivity and EU-Asia relations. Parliament advocated the establishment of an EU-ASEAN connectivity partnership in order to link with ASEAN's existing master plan on connectivity and project pipeline, among other objectives and for a regional EU-ASEAN free trade agreement.
Parliament resolutions
In July 2022 Parliament adopted a resolution on Indo-Pacific strategy in the area of trade and investment. Parliament called for further engagement with ASEAN and its member states and for the development and promotion of the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership. It also called for a new strategic approach towards the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-pacific partnership as a core element of the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy which aims to secure a level playing field and a rules-based trade environment. More recently there was a debate in the Parliament in December 2022 on "ASEAN relations ahead of the EU-ASEAN summit".
EU has concluded free trade agreements with three ASEAN countries Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia. The agreements with Singapore and Vietnam have been promoting particularly strong trade relations with these countries. Negotiations are ongoing with Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.
2023 - present
In 2023 and after the election year in 2025 the Delegation represented the Parliament in six incoming and outgoing Inter-Parliamentary meetings with ASEAN member state parliaments and two AIPA General Assemblies, where all ASEAN parliaments were met. Parliament also hosted an Inter-Regional EP-AIPA Dialogue Meeting in Strasbourg in 2023. Members visited Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
During the European Parliament's last legislative term (2024-2029), the ASEAN region has continued it slow progress in cooperation and regional integration. The EU supports ASEAN regional integration, as a strong and prosperous ASEAN region serves the Union's interests. EU stresses ASEAN centrality in ASEAN decision making.
The main objective of the Delegation (DASE) is to establish, channel and promote parliamentary dialogue between the European Parliament and the national parliaments of the countries and with the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). AIPA is the parliamentary assembly of the ASEAN member state parliaments. The European Parliament was the first official observer to AIPA and is now a contributing observer to AIPA with an annual financial contribution to AIPA.
Parliament resolutions in the past have stressed that cooperation could be strengthened to address global challenges such as climate change, international crime and terrorism, border management, maritime security, financial sector development, transparency and macroeconomic policies. Members have also emphasised the pursuit of a high level of EU-ASEAN cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the UN and WTO. Parliament has called for the EU to upgrade and intensify its diplomatic efforts with ASEAN in order to contribute to greater stability and security in conflict areas with renewed tensions. On human rights Parliament has made a number of urgency resolutions. Parliament has been concerned about the regression of democracy, violations of human rights and minorities.
In January 2021 Parliament adopted resolution on Connectivity and EU-Asia relations. Parliament advocated the establishment of an EU-ASEAN connectivity partnership in order to link with ASEAN's existing master plan on connectivity and project pipeline, among other objectives and for a regional EU-ASEAN free trade agreement.
Parliament resolutions
In July 2022 Parliament adopted a resolution on Indo-Pacific strategy in the area of trade and investment. Parliament called for further engagement with ASEAN and its member states and for the development and promotion of the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership. It also called for a new strategic approach towards the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-pacific partnership as a core element of the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy which aims to secure a level playing field and a rules-based trade environment. More recently there was a debate in the Parliament in December 2022 on "ASEAN relations ahead of the EU-ASEAN summit".
EU has concluded free trade agreements with three ASEAN countries Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia. The agreements with Singapore and Vietnam have been promoting particularly strong trade relations with these countries. Negotiations are ongoing with Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.
2023 - present
In 2023 and after the election year in 2025 the Delegation represented the Parliament in six incoming and outgoing Inter-Parliamentary meetings with ASEAN member state parliaments and two AIPA General Assemblies, where all ASEAN parliaments were met. Parliament also hosted an Inter-Regional EP-AIPA Dialogue Meeting in Strasbourg in 2023. Members visited Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
During the European Parliament's last legislative term (2024-2029), the ASEAN region has continued it slow progress in cooperation and regional integration. The EU supports ASEAN regional integration, as a strong and prosperous ASEAN region serves the Union's interests. EU stresses ASEAN centrality in ASEAN decision making.