On 30 March 2012 in Hanoi, Vietnam a workshop on “post-crisis landscape in Europe and prospect of the relations between Europe and Southeast Asia” took place. Because of the extensive agenda, insightful expertise and knowledge, a total of 140 national and international delegates participated at the one-day workshop, including Dr. Ngo Duc Manh, Vice President of the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly and Hans Bühler, Head of Department of South/Southeast Asia of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. Vice Foreign Minister Bui Than Son attended the opening ceremony and delivered the opening speech. Objective of the event, which was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, was to discuss recommendations for Vietnam’s foreign policy with the focus on foreign economic relations and their contribution to national poverty reduction.

One of the focal points were the significant changes in the political and economic landscape in Europe in the aftermath of the global financial crisis. As a consequence of the global financial crisis and the ongoing debt crisis in several EU Member States economic growth in Europe slowed down, followed by institutional and economic restructuring in various European countries. In this context, trade has been identified as part of the solution to escape from crisis. That is why Vietnam is likely to have a good starting position in future negotiations on a free trade agreement with the EU. Therefor it was mentioned that Vietnam should early conclude the strategy of FTA negotiation and carefully prepare methods of starting and participating into the negotiation rounds.

The importance of the EU-ASEAN relationship was underlined. This not only as a trading partner, but also for possible support in security matters or in multilateral negotiations. However there was the perception that the external political relations between the EU and ASEAN from both sides were not given priority in the past. As a recommendation for ASEAN and Vietnam to improve relations with the EU the commencement of specific cooperation programs at the regional level was suggested, particularly in the sectors of research, science, technology and education. The meaningfulness of Vietnam as a linkage between Europe and Southeast Asia was highlighted, just as the need for a common voice in ASEAN network to expand cooperation with the EU.

The workshop provided a platform for the exchange of insightful perspectives and suggestions to foster relations between Europe and Southeast Asia. Mr. Hans Bühler highly appreciated the event and confirmed the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation for similar events in the future.