Malaysia-Europe: Strategic Partnerships for the Pacific Century

Description

THIS WORK is an exhaustive endeavour in projecting Malaysia's foreign policy architecture within the international and regional context. Prof. Dr Corrado G.M. Letta's new book Malaysia-Europe Strategic Relations for the Pacitic Century is a timely publication worthy of composite focus and highlight. It is also in my viewa labour of love as well as a contribution to scholarship and research. This is a book that not only captivates those in the diplomatic service but also awakens the prospective reader into a knowledge-tilled world of Malaysia's strategic relations with Europe. It is an essential presentation for all the stakeholders in Malaysia and Europe relations. This work propels interest both for Malaysians as well as European citizens who try to understand the ASEAN and European regions within the geopolitical context of today. The author has succeeded in presenting a work that could well be in years to come a major reference on Malaysia-Europe relations. Under its cover are the myriad world of diplomacy and foreign policies that link both countries. Practitioners of Malaysia-Europe relations should feel highly motivated, especially on account of the impressive facts and narrative it presents. The fact that Malaysia and Europe are linked to a trade figure of about $37 billion - superseded only by the trade performance of ASEAN countries and the United States, speaks volumes about Malaysia-Europe relations and testifies the real terms of international survival. Prof. Dr Corrado G.M. Letta in the first part of this book develops a presentation of the main stakeholders - Malaysia and the European Union. From there he proceeds to analyse the regional relationship between the EU and ASEAN. His in-depth analysis of the 18 European countries that have mission relationship with Malaysia is most rewarding. The scope of his analysis is deep and wide, encompassing the multifarious bilateral relations Malaysia weaves with these European countries. The author himself asks key questions such as: where should Malaysia be in the geopolitical theatre of nations? What role should it play? How should it relate to a changing geopolitical landscape? Does Malaysia need to re-profile itself? Does it need to re-brand itself? It so, why? Searching answers for these very questions is the appropriate approach because they have a direct impact on Europeans behaviour and, therefore, on the nature, quality and quantity of the bilateral/regional relationship.