The forum has an important role to play in advancing closer regional integration and cooperation.
For the first time, the Russian Foreign Minister and the US Secretary of State attended the EAS, as guests of the ASEAN chair. When the two countries become full members of that body next year, the EAS will be the primary Asia-Pacific body for strategic consultations. It will involve all the powers that shape the region’s strategic configuration.
The meeting on Oct 12 of ASEAN defence ministers with their counterparts from eight other countries was to some extent a precursor to the 18-member EAS. In its own way, the ASEAN Regional Forum, set up by ASEAN in 1995, is also an important forum to discuss issues in the region. However, with 27 members – including such states as Papua New Guinea, Mongolia and North Korea – the size of the forum limits its effectiveness. But it is useful precisely because of its inclusiveness.
On the other hand, the EAS could quickly develop into a forum for reconciling divergent interests. The effectiveness of the EAS in maintaining peace, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific will depend on how China, the US and other powers use it, and how well ASEAN manages the process.
Foremost among these potentially clashing interests are those of China and the US. It seems, for now, both the US and China are willing to use the EAS to thrash out tensions.
Hillary Clinton declared in Hanoi: ‘The East Asia Summit, where you bring other countries in addition to the core ASEAN countries together to discuss political and security matters, is a very important forum for the US to be part of. Where issues of a political, economic, and security consequence are being discussed in the region, the US wants to be there.’
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said: ‘The summit had stuck to its orientation and launched fruitful dialogue and cooperation in finance, energy, education, bird flu control and disaster relief. China would like to discuss with all partners the proposals for economic integration in East Asia and jointly promote regional peace, stability and development.’ Premier Wen welcomed the participation of Russia and the US in the EAS.
A prosperous and secure Asia Pacific requires cooperation between all the major powers involved in the region. The EAS can – hopefully – provide the necessary dialogue to negotiate solutions to regional problems and mitigate incipient tensions.
Rodolfo C. Severino is former ASEAN secretary-general and is head of the ASEAN Studies Centre, Institute of South East Asian Studies, Singapore.
The original version of this article appeared here in The Straits Times.