NVDB005_-_CH_4.004._ASEAN-UK_Dialogue_Partnership_-_Sambath_and_Ousa-2

85 — DP Vol. 05

Regional Security Dilemma: Trends, Directions, and Illusion

Chhuon Vanndasambath, is a general coordinator of the ASEAN-UK Young Leaders and Initiative (ASEANUK-YLI). He is also currently a Research Fellow and Personal Assistant to the Executive Director at the Cambodian Institute of Cooperation and Peace (CICP).

Cheng Ousa, is a co-founder and trainer of the Khemara English Debate Society (KEDS), and Research Intern at the Cambodian Institute of Cooperation and Peace (CICP).

Introduction

August 2nd, 2021 marked a historical milestone between ASEAN and the United Kingdom (UK), as ASEAN officially conferred the status of “Dialogue Partner” to the UK. Perhaps best summed up by the phrase “old wine in a new bottle”, this status marks a new stage in bringing an old friend into closer and comprehensive engagement after 45 years of cooper- ation through EU Partnership. The ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership promotes in-depth cooperation between both partners under three main pillars. This new stage also reflects the consolidation of ASEAN development and the UK’s “Global Britain” ambition following Brexit.

ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership in Current Progress

Political and Security Cooperation

Prior to this new status change, the UK committed to send a permanent Ambassador to ASEAN through the UK mission to ASEAN in November 2019. The UK had always positioned itself in a unique position as a good friend with embassies and high commissions in all 10 ASEAN countries. With the initiation of the ASEAN-UK Dialogue Partnership, the UK has taken a pivotal step towards Southeast Asia in a timely and apt manner. The presence of the UK as ASEAN’s Dialogue Partner has provided another mechanism through which to develop ASEAN credentials, as the UK is a key member of G7, G20, UNSC, and other top-level inter- national institutions. Moreover, the UK is currently in the process of fulfilling its ambition in the Indo-pacific region to be a key regional player.

ASEAN and the UK are currently drafting a concrete Plan of Action (PoA) for the ASEAN-UK Partnership over the course of the next 5 years from 2022 to 2026 at the first-ever ASEAN-UK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. In addition, the on-going affairs between the UK and ASEAN has demonstrated active relations and cooper- ation, not only in multilateralism, but also in bilateral relations. The UK also has strategic partnership agree- ments with several ASEAN countries. Noticeably, relations between ASEAN Member States and the

UK have improved and become more prosperous following the ASEAN-UK Partnership. Meanwhile, several senior officials from the UK have visited the region and are looking forward to discussing further cooperation with the bloc.

In terms of security, the new partnership seeks to put its cooperation to the test in resolving regional insta- bility and humanitarian crises. The ASEAN Member States (AMS) and UK’s security interests stretch beyond mere practical cooperation, also encom- passing long-term strategic policy. The UK also seeks to project its influence in the region on the aspects of maritime issues. The ASEAN-UK partnership focuses on defense, transnational crime, and cybersecurity by sharing techniques and ensuring the mutual protection of regional peace with the respect of ASEAN centrality. At present, ASEAN is also considering the UK’s proposal to be part of the ASEAN Defense Minister Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) 1, which would allow it to take further cooperative steps on the consolidation of defense strategies with AMS, as well as completing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense cooperation.

Economic Cooperation

Total annual bilateral trade between ASEAN and the UK for goods and services amounted to over £35.2 billion by 2021 2. The trade and economic relation- ships between both partners have experienced signif- icant growth, with the UK becoming one of the top 10 largest investors in the region. Besides its effort to engage closely with the region, the UK has sought to strengthen its economic cooperation with states

1 Ian Storey and Hoang Thi Ha “‘Global Britain’ and Southeast Asia: Progress and Prospects”,2021/130, Yusof Ishak Institute, https:// www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2021- 130-global-britain-and-southeast-asia-progress-and-prospects- by-ian-storey-and-hoang-thi-ha/

2 Natalie Black and Jon Lambe, “Opportunities for the UK- ASEAN Partnership in 2021”, The ASEAN Magazine Issue 21 (2021), ASEAN Organization, https://asean.org/wp-content/ uploads/2022/05/The-ASEAN-Magazine-Issue-21-2022-Informal- Economy.pdf