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Dialogue,
Sanction, Incentive?
Coordinating
an Asia-Europe Response to Troubled States
4-5
September 2008
Singapore
Please
click on the links below to download relevant meeting documents
CONCEPT
Asia
and Europe have on occasion taken dissonant approaches towards
governments that have been labeled uncooperative or 'recalcitrant'
by the international community. These troubled states can
be characterised by authoritarian leaderships, a record of
human rights violations, ethnic or religious conflict, and/or
potentially threatening nuclear intentions. This Asia-Europe
divide is most evident in the question of whether, when and
how to intervene in internal conflicts. While the EU as a
regional bloc has expressed its belief in humanitarian intervention
and the responsibility to protect, most Asian countries are
averse to interventionist policies and defend the ideas of
absolute sovereignty and territorial integrity. Another facet
of the divide can be drawn along political objectives: while
the EU continues to push for regime change in what it perceives
as undemocratic states, many Asian countries prefer the more
growth-friendly option of maintaining regime stability for
economic growth.
To
effectively manage internal conflicts in developing countries
that threaten international security or cooperation, Asia
and Europe need to arrive at a coordinated strategy that acknowledges
the interests and perspectives of the key countries involved.
How and where can the two regions find common ground? What
could be the form and methodology of an Asia-Europe approach
to troubled states?
The
12th Talks on the Hill will examine the range of diplomatic
tools that are used to influence the behaviour and policies
of international governments. As alternatives to military
action, they include political dialogue, sanctions, incentives
and development assistance, usually implemented together or
in combination as an overall strategy. The effectiveness of
these tools varies widely, but is most curtailed when the
measures are directed at the troubled states in question.
Unfortunately, these cases are precisely where international
influence and assistance are most needed.
This
meeting is designed to analyse the regional approaches and
diplomatic tools that are used in conflict resolution within
troubled states. How realistic are principles and policies
-- both interventionist and non-interventionist -- when tested
by implementation and long-term sustainability? Which tools
are effective and under what circumstances? How do they square
with the interests of international actors? Discussants from
the two regions will be encouraged to critically examine their
national and regional approaches, the underlying rationales
and interests, and debate possible scenarios to reach international
consensus for the way forward.
EXPECTED
OUTCOMES
The
12th Talks on the Hill aims to create a meaningful dialogue
between Asian and European interlocutors on the challenges
of coordinating an international response to internal conflicts
in developing countries, especially within ASEM. The final
report will be tailored towards policy recommendations to
governments of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and other relevant
institutions, including the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Regional
Forum, the European Parliament, the International Crisis Group,
and the ASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies
(ASEAN ISIS). The outcomes of the meeting would also contribute
to existing ASEF projects in conflict management, notably
the Asia-Europe Roundtable and the Asia-Europe Education Hub
(AEH) Thematic Network on Peace and Conflict Studies.
The
findings of the meeting would also be in time for dissemination
to ASEM governments prior to the ASEM Summit in October 2008.
Keywords: troubled state, failed state, military state, recalcitrant state, foreign policy, conflict, regional security, humanitarian intervention
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