T H E O L O G O S - Prešovská univerzita v Prešove

Bożena Drzewicka
2 A new dimension and new challenges for the international
dialogue
The relations between civilizations, with a due stress laid on differences,
became especially important in the 1990s. That increased interest was
caused by a number of factors which will not be taken into consideration
in this analysis. The global and regional international organizations soon
participated in the transnational dialogue. Conferences as well as special
programmes and projects were initiated by UN agencies, including UNE-
SCO, and the year 2001 was proclaimed the year of dialogue between
Civilizations and Cultures. 25 Mutual contacts between the EU and ASEAN
became more dynamic, which was facilitated by the termination of the
“cold war”. In the 1990s, the EU’s new closeness to Asia had resulted in a
co-operation and in the acceptance of Asia’s equality. Certain new projects
had been initiated by the EU and many an agreement between ministers
of foreign affairs from the two regions of the world had been reacted. The
contacts are now much easier due to a rapid development of Southeast
Asia within the ASEAN organization but also due to the creation of a free
trade zone and the elimination of many commercials and legal barriers.
Newly established organs are co-operation committees; a “New Strategy
for Asia” was also agreed upon. The other party suggested a wider forum
for the Europe-East Asia dialogue and co-operation. 26 An obvious success
was the (first) 1996 Bangkok summit in which the EU and ASEAN +3 (i.e.
Japan, China and the Republic of Korea) took part. Representatives of the
European Commission are now participants of a new forum, called Asia-
Europe Meeting (ASEM). 27
Consultations of business and self-government representatives are
organized every two years in order to discuss different sectors of economy.
In addition to that, there are contacts aimed at solving crucial problems,
including the war against terrorism or the fighting of drug pushing. Bi- and
multilateral co-operation and exchange, the latter in the fields of science
and culture, have become permanent. Mutual presentation of achievements
and experience take place. A variety of issues are discussed in the
course of the meetings, e.g. environment protection, functioning of prisons,
infrastructure or cultural identity, defence against Americanization. 28
25
The 1987 programme called „The Silk Road: A Road to Mutual Understanding” is a
significant confirmation.
26
Electronic source: http//www.asean.or.id/historyk/overview.htm, www. Asean.or.id/
polities/ov.psc.htm.
27
Y. L. Hwee, The Bangkok ASEM and the future of Asia – Europe relations, “Southeast
Asian Affairs” 1997, p. 40-44.
28
For a detailed discussion see: M. S. McDougal, H. D. Lasswell & L. Chen, op.cit. p. 270-
280.
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