Prof. Hidetoshi Nishimura, Executive Director of ERIA, visited the Institut Fran�ais des Relations Internationales (IFRI) on May 5, 2014 to discuss the history of ASEAN integration and its process.
Dr. Fran�oise Nicolas, Senior Economist, Director, Center for Asian Studies of IFRI along with invited guests, attended the two-hour session.
Prof. Nishimura reviewed the process of policy development of ASEAN since its establishment and analyzed how vividly ASEAN has quickly responded to cope with the challenges brought about by the development of neighbouring countries such as China, India, Japan. He also touched the rationale and history of the establishment of ASEAN and its evolution as an association to being an ASEAN Community.
Both sides exchanged views on the evolution of regional economic integration including the ongoing effort to conclude the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (RCEP).
"Cooperation with ERIA will expand the network of IFRI in East Asia, which is the center of global economic growth," said Dr. Nicolas.
ERIA and IFRI will collaborate in future research and joint seminars on issues related to East Asia and European Community.