Next issue to spotlight ASEAN

July 9th, 2008 | ewdialogue

What’s on offer for ASEAN-U.S. cooperation under ASEAN’s Blueprint for an ASEAN Economic Community?

In the next issue of the East-West Dialogue, How (and Why) the United States Should Help to Build the ASEAN Economic Community, Michael Plummer (EWC and Johns Hopkins University) calls for ambitious new initiatives, leading to a U.S.-ASEAN Economic Space and a U.S.-ASEAN Partnership Fund to deepen civic and cultural ties. These ideas are expanded in commentaries by Surin Pitsuwan (Secretary General of ASEAN), Scot Marciel (U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN), Kishore Mahbubani (former Singapore ambassador to the UN) , and Chalongphob Sussangkorn (former Thai Minister of Finance).

Plummer argues that ASEAN is so important to US economic diplomacy that it deserves special attention. A successful ASEAN economy of 585 million people will strengthen, balance, and stabilize the economic architecture of the Asia Pacific region. The commentators agree the relationship is vital. They offer further suggestions and confirm that gains from a deeper partnership are mutual and that the region is receptive to US initiatives.

Update 12 Aug 2008 - Surin Pitsuwan was unfortunately not able to contribute commentary to this issue.

Entry Filed under: General