The EU's role in developing security cooperation with Myanmar at the ASEAN Regional Forum: 2004–2008

Abstract

), social mechanisms (Checkel 1999(Checkel , 2005 and observations derived from interviews (Southeast Asia and Brussels) can explain ASEAN and Myanmar's reactions and, also, the EU's behaviour in relation to the Myanmar-Nargis event. The EU's role is explored through the cochair's summary reports of the meetings that the EU co-chaired with ASEAN. The article shows that, at ARF, the EU promoted the multilateral aspects of its policy in the field of security, and attempted to mobilise the different strengths, values and capacities of its partners, i.e. ASEAN and Myanmar. It uncovers the EU's efforts to encourage both ASEAN to take up responsibilities and Myanmar to accept multilateral security options. The article argues that, as the EU tried to inspire Myanmar to connect with cooperation, 'Myanmar hit by Cyclone Nargis' encouraged the EU Council to include the 'responsibility to protect' as a new goal of the European foreign and security policy of December 2008.