The EU and ASEM: gesture politics or fruitful dialogue?

The forthcoming ASEM summit is seen as an important link in the chain of Asia-Europe relations, but what practical benefits does the process have for interregional cooperation? Over the past decade, it has strengthened dialogue between the two sides, but has also been criticised as a ‘talking shop’. This Policy Brief by Jonas Knops argues that if the process is to remain significant, Europeans needs to devote more time and effort to it.