Regional diplomacy the specific case of asean

1

Eliana Silva Pereira
Legal and Development Consultant [e-mail] REGIONAL DIPLOMACY:
THE SPECIFIC CASE OF ASEAN

1) Introduction
The world is changing and with it diplomacy. The classic type of diplomacy practiced by resident missions and bilateral relations is now walking side-by-side to other complex forms of diplomacy and other ways of interaction in international scene.1 2 3
Globalization,

interdependence

between

countries,

media

pressure,

internationalization of domestic affairs, independence of new nations, and technology developments are factors which have contributed to generate new channels of diplomacy, such as regional diplomacy, challenging the perception of traditional diplomacy, and foster the role that regional integration plays nowadays.4

1

Jean-Robert Leguey-Feilleux, The Dynamics of Diplomacy,(Lynne Rienner Publishers, Boulder London), 185

2

G.R. Berridge, Emeritus Professor of International Politics, University of Leicester, Diplomacy Theory and Practice, (Palgrave, 2nd Edition), 146

3

4

R.P. Barston, Modern Diplomacy, ( Pearson Longman, 3rd Edition, 2006), 1

Lord Triesman, London Economic School, Public Diplomacy: steps to the future, 23 of April, http://www2.lse.ac.uk/publicEvents/events/2007/20070328t1042z001.aspx, (Assessed March, 26, 2011), 3

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As far as the growth of regional cooperation, new forms of integration and relations between countries have been established, challenging the traditional concept of national sovereignty and broaden the diplomatic relations.
Recognizing that proximity more than being a factor of competition should be seen as an advantage in terms of political, economic, cultural and social integration, nations are working together creating regional blocks that, definitely, influence the way their states make diplomacy.
For this particular paper, after giving an overview about regional cooperation, I will analyze the impact