On 16 June 2009, the Embassy, together with The Hague University of Applied Sciences, jointly organised a seminar on ‘Asia-Europe Relations: Bridging the Gap’.
The seminar was held in conjunction with a book launch by Professor Dr Corrado G.M. Letta, a Senior Fellow at the University of Malaya with his book entitled ‘Malaysia-Europe: Strategic Partnerships for the Pacific Century’.
The seminar started with welcoming remarks by Mr. Pim Breebart, the President of The Hague University, followed by an opening address by Mr. Thomazs Kozlowski, Advisor for the Directorate Responsible for Asia and Latin America for the European Commission.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Roel van der Veen, Academic Advisor at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Professor International Relations at the University of Amsterdam. This was followed by a panel of discussion consisting of H.E. Ambassador Dr Fauziah Mohamad Taib, Professor Dr Letta, Mr. Kozlowski and Mr. van der Veen. A journalist from the Dutch financial newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad, Ms. Marleen Janssen Groesbeek, acted as a moderator for the discussion.
During the discussion, the panelists discussed about the perception gap that exist between Asia and Europe. They agreed that Europe needs a new strategy in dealing with a rising Asia and to move beyond relations based on trade and investment to common interests relating to political, security and global agenda. Europe should also embark on a new kind of diplomacy when dealing with Asia, beyond ‘preaching’, for a more effective approach to the region. The panelists concluded that the two regions need to do more to understand each other better and to move the relations to a higher level and to bridge the perception gaps that exist between Asia and Europe.
The seminar was attended by about 70 participants from various academic institutions, embassies, trade organizations and NGOs.
