EU and Asia?

The emergence of Asia is of global significance. Getting EU relations right with this diverse and dynamic region is one of the major challenges facing Europe. We are deepening our strategic partnerships with China, India, Japan and negotiations are well underway on new partnership and free trade agreements with South Korea and with south-east Asian countries. Regular and wide-ranging dialogue takes place, leading increasingly to cooperation and convergence on global issues, regional security questions as well as regulatory policy and other economic issues. Many agreements in fields ranging from tourism to nuclear research are either in place or under discussion. Asia comprises high-income industrialised partners and dynamic emerging economies but is also home to two thirds of the world's poor. Development cooperation therefore remains high on the EU's agenda with Asia, and more than five billion euros have been allocated to Asia by the EU for the period 2007-2013 . Policies are being put in place jointly to address common challenges, such as climate change, sustainable development, security and stability, governance and human rights, as well as the prevention of, and response to natural and human disasters. The EU is stepping up its support to regional integration through the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and intensifying cooperation with the Association of South-East Asia Nations (ASEAN), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Source:Asia, europa.eu