Author Description

'At a time when both the EU and Asian regional groups are facing significant pressures from the global power shift, this remarkable collection of essays offers both cutting edge analysis and suggests pathways for their mutual interaction and advancement. A valuable read for scholars and policy-makers alike.' Amitav Acharya, Distinguished Professor of International Relations, American University, Washington, D.C. 'This welcome volume is well organised, brings together a strong set of expert contributors and benefits from a strong set of common themes and questions. It raises and explores a range of highly significant ideas about the EU's capacity to become a strategic actor in East and Southeast Asia, and analyses them from both a European and an Asia-Pacific perspective.' Michael Smith, Professor in European Politics, University of Warwick 'It is high time for the EU to rethink its strategic priorities in the Asia-Pacific region. This volume does full justice to this aim, in terms of both coverage and depth. A first-rate account.' Pascal Vennesson, Professor of Political Science, S. Rajaratnam School of International Relations, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Since the mid-1990s, the European Union (EU) has defined the Asia-Pacific region as a key strategic target on its ambitious road towards being a global power. In light of internal challenges within the EU and new developments in world politics, the EU is being compelled to redefine its interests and roles, and rethink its strategies and policies towards the ever more important and dynamic Asia-Pacific region. This volume is the first to examine the EU's foreign policy towards the region in such comprehensive detail, covering security policy, economy and trade, public diplomacy and human security.