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Policy papers

Keeping up with ASEAN: the UK’s role in the Indo-Pacific

19 July 2022

The UK faces significant opportunities and challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is at the height of its geopolitical importance, but this potential belies a fragile and uncertain region. It is imperative for the UK and ASEAN to come together on areas where both can benefit and to manage expectations on the limits and freedoms of both.

This policy paper attempts to map out the present areas of cooperation between ASEAN and UK on a variety of aspects including international cooperation, economic prosperity, and regional security. It focuses on the UK’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region, specifically in the context of its post-Brexit engagement as an entity separate from the European Union. The paper argues that ASEAN stands to benefit from the UK’s ‘tilt to the Indo-Pacific’, referenced in recent official documents such as the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. In the context of an ever-evolving region, the briefing will develop added areas of cooperation to undertake in the coming years.

Now operating as a separate political entity from the EU, the UK will require additional legwork in its engagement with ASEAN. Firstly, the UK must focus on being a force multiplier of international law and norms. Secondly, the UK must deepen economic ties with ASEAN – whether with the group as a whole or with its individual member states – and maximise the momentum towards post-pandemic recovery. Thirdly, the UK must strengthen and bolster security linkages in the region and be ambitious in its role as a strategic actor in the region. The Indo-Pacific region houses a variety of security partnerships and alliances that has helped maintain the peace and security in the region, despite traversing a tumultuous period.

The UK must build upon its previous engagement with the region to develop an independent Indo-Pacific policy centred around ASEAN and aiming to establish itself as a reliable and ambitious security partner.

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Protecting and promoting partnership: an EU-UK joint parliamentary assembly

26 April 2021

The UK’s departure from the European Union poses ongoing challenges to both polities. Lots of attention has, understandably, been paid to ways of facilitating continued free trade and allowing Britain and the EU to work together on issues of mutual importance. With the focus on these more practical, technical policy matters, little thought has been given to maintaining the strong diplomatic and political relations that are just as vital for pursuing shared goals.

This policy paper addresses this gap by making the case for an EU-UK joint parliamentary assembly. It notes the legal basis and political desire for such a body on both sides of the Channel. Specific recommendations for a joint parliamentary assembly – including its remit, membership, format, and establishment – are made, informed by an assessment of working precedents as well as interviews with parliamentarians. As such, the paper shows that this form of structured political engagement is both possible and desirable.

Finally, although it is ultimately for members of the two parliaments to decide amongst themselves how to engage with one another, it is essential that the UK government and leaders of the European institutions offer their unmitigated support for any such initiative, without delay, in the interests of all.

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