Yogyakarta, May 21st 2024─In order to maintain security stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region, the European Union continues to strengthen its cooperation framework with countries in the region. One example is the concrete action of the European Union initiated in 2021 through a map of cooperation in seven priority sectors of cooperation by the European Union, which includes aspects of welfare, green energy transition, maritime governance, digital governance and partnerships, connectivity, security and defense, and human security. In line with the direction of cooperation policy from the European Union, the European Union Studies Association (EUSA) in collaboration with a number of partners, including the Indonesian Community for European Studies (KIKE) and the Institute of International Studies Universitas Gadjah Mada (IIS UGM), organized the EUSAAP 2024 Conference. This conference is expected to be a strategic forum for academics to exchange knowledge about innovations, conditions, and even observations related to the changing foreign policy landscape of the European Union and countries in the Asia Pacific region from an interdisciplinary perspective.
The EUSAAP 2024 Conference began with an opening session in the Senate Hall room of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). This session contained remarks from Mr. Muhadi Sugiono as the host of the conference, Prof. Martin Holland as the Secretary General of EUSAAP, and Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro as the Vice Chancellor of UGM. The keynote speech and presentation was delivered by the Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. The opening session was then closed with a roundtable discussion that discussed in more depth the big theme of the conference, namely Revisiting EU-Asia Pacific Relations guided by Dr. Luqman Nul Hakim.
According to Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro, the Vice Chancellor of UGM for Education and Teaching, the EUSAAP 2024 conference is an important platform to review the relationship between the European Union and the Asia Pacific in relation to today’s pressing interests. Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro further explained that it is not only about finding new strategies in partnership, but it is also important to continuously review the readiness and dedication in building a strong partnership between the European Union and the Asia Pacific.
Reflecting on this urgency, Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro sees the EUSAAP 2024 Conference as an important forum for producing inclusive knowledge for reshaping the global governance order. “As academics, we are crucial in providing nuances and perspectives on global governance. We are the beacon to produce inclusive knowledge that will be used for shaping or reshaping global governance. Hence, your participation in this conference would be highly appreciated,” explained Prof. Dr. Wening Udasmoro.
In a brief interview with the President of EUSAAP, Mr. Muhadi Sugiono underlined the dynamics of the relationship between the European Union and the Asia Pacific. On the one hand, the relationship between the two sides is considered quite promising due to common interests. But on the other hand, the challenge is reflected in how to unite the differences in conditions between the European Union and countries in the Asia Pacific region which are multicultural. Therefore, efforts to improve the EU’s relations with the Asia Pacific are crucial in order to create security stability and encourage positive growth. “We need to build better communication and understanding that will create better relations. Hence, the real partnership can be achieved meaningfully,” added Mr. Muhadi Sugiono.
The significance of the EUSAAP 2024 Conference to the relationship between the European Union and the Asia Pacific was also conveyed by Professor Martin Holland as Secretary General of EUSAAP. The conference is the right first step to maintain cooperative relations between the European Union and countries in the Asia Pacific region as the world geopolitical transition occurs. It was interesting to see how experts, diplomats, and young postgraduates had in-depth discussions on their research topics. Indonesia’s rise as a global economic and cultural hub has prompted the EU to recognize the diversity of the Asia Pacific region. In this regard, the EU has been trying to change its approach towards the Asia Pacific region to create a better political-economic policy.
In line with Professor Holland’s statement, the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, Stéphane Mechati, emphasized the importance of a forum that is able to bring together two points of view with various interests, both Indonesia and the European Union. Not just propaganda from one side, but the European Union also wants to build dialog and reciprocal relations that are mutually beneficial between the European Union and the Asia Pacific region.
After the end of the opening session of the EUSAAP 2024 Conference, the conference continued with a panel presentation and discussion session which took place in the FISIPOL UGM area. The panel presentation session was filled by around 40 academics and researchers from various countries, both who have taken undergraduate and postgraduate studies. In addition to presenting research findings, a number of academics also had the opportunity to exchange opinions and input on their research on issues in EU and Asia Pacific relations.