With this vision to enhance Asean-EU cooperation, one would expect to see the start of an Asean-EU free-trade agreement in the near future. After all, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita Ferrero-Walder pledged that the EU would assist Asean in regional integration because the EU itself has led the way in past decades in exploring the possibilities and advantages in regional cooperation. What better way to achieve this objective than the opening up of each other's markets? Currently Asean as a whole has the bigger population with 550 million, while the EU has only 480 million people. But their combined economies have limitless potential.

Beyond economic cooperation, the EU's decision to accede to the Asean Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) marked a new beginning in its approach to security issues in the region. France had taken the lead by signing the TAC in January and set the ball rolling within the EU. Now, the United Kingdom also wants to do so. For decades the EU has taken part in dialogue on political and security issues with Asean, including the Cambodian conflict and the Burmese and Korean Peninsula crises, but it has not signed the regional code of conduct.

For Asean, the EU's accession to the TAC helps to boost the grouping's confidence in dealing with Europe and puts their future relations on the right track. Asean leaders are very happy that now almost all major powers have acceded to the TAC. The US remains the only world power that has nothing to do with the treaty.

The second excellent outcome of the Asean-EU has to do with Thailand's relations with Europe, which reached their lowest point following the September 19 coup. Squabbling over alleged corruption in the use of donated funds to assist tsunami victims a few months later further dampened the state of bilateral relations. Unlike Asia, Europe has taken a hard line against the coup in Thailand. Europe condemned the military takeover and called for an immediate restoration of democratic institutions and elections. For months EU diplomats refused to meet with Thai officials. France has been the most flexible, with the exchange of official visits between both capitals.

In this regard, the Asean-EU meeting provided an excellent opportunity for Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram to have much-needed meetings and exchanges of views with individual EU members. So far, Thailand's post-coup diplomacy has been confined to Asia. Nitya's next move will be the US, which is still showing reluctance to hold a meeting.

The EU as a whole has given Thailand a vote of confidence that everything is on track with the drafting of its new constitution and the subsequent referendum and for the holding of elections by the end of the year. Although there are still some subtle differences among EU members over the September 19 coup, especially between the Nordic and central European members, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke on behalf of the EU in saying that Thailand had set up a consistent plan to fully restore democracy.

Europe is an important global player, both as a political shaker and economic mover. It helps to balance a self-centred US, a rising China and India and a more assertive Japan. Healthy relations between Europe and Southeast Asia will certainly strengthen the foundations of peace and stability in this part of the world.