Page 26 - EU_ASEN Relations: Perspectives From Malaysia

regularly since 2013 exploring maritime security, inter-agency coordination,

investigation of incidents, and port security.

The EU and ASEAN have also agreed to promote disarmament and the non-

proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. With this strategy, both regional
organisations pursue their traditional security policies, although the

international environment (a rising and military dominant China for ASEAN,
unclear future of NATO, and tensions with Russia for the EU) does not

encourage such pacifistic policies. Nevertheless, ASEAN and the EU speak

out in favour of the promotion of peace-oriented values and are set on strategies
of dialogue and cooperation instead of using military and diplomatic threats.

Finally, both sides agree to promote cooperation on human rights and good
governance. With regard to the different levels of democracy in both regions

and the tensions from the 1990s, the EU is quite diplomatic when it offers to
promote capacity-building and support ASEAN's efforts in strengthening

democracy, good governance, rule of law, and judiciary systems through the
sharing of experiences and best practices.

Political Cooperation between the EU and Malaysia

The relationship between the EU and Malaysia is based on a well-developed

mutual trade or, more specifically, the mutual cooperation in trade and
economic issues is the driving force for closer ties between the EU and

Malaysia.

In political terms, the EU supports a variety of cooperation projects with

Malaysia in areas such as higher education, human rights, the environment,

and sustainable economic development. Since the opening of an office for the
EU Commission in Kuala Lumpur, bilateral ties between Malaysia and the EU

have been significantly strengthened through political dialogue and a variety
of cooperation activities in many areas. The EU sponsors a significant number

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