Regional cooperation
Asia is a crucial partner for the EU, politically, economically, and culturally. The region accounts for more than half of the world’s population, a quarter of the economic wealth created every year, and is home to four of the ten largest economies in the world (Japan, China, India and Korea) yet countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Burma/Myanmar remain among the poorest. Many parts of the region are prone to natural disasters, and several countries are dealing with internal conflict which is often coupled with generally weak civil societies, making them more vulnerable and open to human rights abuses.
Therefore, the EU-Asia regional strategy identifies three regional priorities:
1. Support to regional integration – through ASEM, SAARC and ASEAN.
2. Policy and know-how-based cooperation – including environment, energy and climate change, higher education and support to research institutes, and cross-border cooperation in animal and human health.
3. Support to uprooted people – in particular supporting the reconstruction and rehabilitation faced by people displaced by crises.
With the Strategy Document for EU-Asia Co-operation (2007-2013), a total of €775 million (16% of the overall funding for Asia) has been specifically allocated for assistance at a regional level. The Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the first four years has been allocated €400 million while the MIP for the final three years has been allocated €375 million.
Cross-cutting issues, such as the promotion of human rights and democracy, gender equality, good governance, the rights of the child and indigenous peoples' rights, environmental sustainability and combating HIV/AIDS, supporting civil society and promoting dialogue, participation, and institution-building, are being addressed by thematic programmes and/or through this regional programme.
