IFAIR Young Initiative on Foreign Affairs and International Relations (IFAIR) Unlocking the Potential of Interregionalism Mutual Perceptions and Interests in EU-ASEAN Relations IFAIR Impact Group “EU-ASEAN Perspectives” Policy Paper Authors: Katharina L. Meissner, Imke Pente, Nelly Stratieva, Boonwara Sumano Abstract While the EU has pursued a proactive strategy towards the Asian giants China and India, it has remained reactive vis-à-vis Southeast Asia. This is remarkable, considering that ASEAN is the most ambitious regional integration project outside of Europe and may therefore be seen as a natural partner of the EU. This report analyzes the mutual perceptions and interests of the two groupings and identifies avenues for future cooperation that allow European stakeholders to tap the full potential of EU-ASEAN relations. Three issue areas stand out as particularly pro- mising: regional economic cooperation, human rights and democracy, and soft security.