Increasing the East Asia Summit's visibility

While providing a lucid and realistic analysis of current events in the Asia-Pacific area, Simon Tay and Jonathan Tan have strong reasons to suggest that the East Asia Summit (EAS), which is insufficiently publicised by the media, should be given special attention.

In their important November 2011 declaration of EAS principles for “mutually beneficial relations”, the 10 members of Asean plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US reiterated a commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the UN, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and other recognised principles of international law.

All 18 participants said they were willing to create a peaceful environment to enhance cooperation and strengthen existing bonds of friendship. In conformity with the principles of equality, partnership, consultation and mutual respect, all will contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

The principles enumerated in the declaration include the renunciation of the threat of use of force or use of force against another state and settlement of differences and disputes by peaceful means.

The EAS brings together the right countries with the right mandate to address the range of political, economic and security challenges facing the region. Giving full tangibility to this mandate and increasing its visibility is crucial in order to avoid damaging strategic miscalculations in the Asia-Pacific zone. From this perspective, the EAS meeting this October in Brunei will have a significant diplomatic and practical relevance for all 18 participants, which are expected to be represented at the highest political level.

Ioan Voicu

Bangkok