Brussels, 03/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission should adopt a Communication defining Europe's new strategy in Asia. Updating the line defined in 1994, the new strategy provides for a general regional framework, while recognising Asia's diversity through different forms of partnership. For the first time, Australasia (Australia, New Zealand and the other Asia/Pacific countries) is included in the context of cooperation between Europe and Asia.
The communication will propose that cooperation should focus on six priorities: 1) peace and security; 2) trade and investment; 3) the fight against poverty; 4) human rights, democracy and the rule of law; 5) building a "partnership and alliance on global stakes" (environment and climate change, combating organised crime, etc.); 6) promotion of knowledge and mutual understanding (programme of cultural and university exchanges, development of EU delegations on site …).