AB ve ASEAN: Benzersizlikle desteklenen asimetriler

This study examines the EU-ASEAN relations within an eclectic theoretical framework. Firstly, due to the evolution and current developments of these relations, the study used the liberal institutionalist theory as the preliminary framework. Yet the inter-regional nature of these two institutions' relations is required to merge inter-regionalism into liberal institutionalism. This eclecticism aided to explain the reasons why EU-ASEAN relations have been developing regardless of the obvious differences between these two regional schemes in various realms. The EU has been the pioneer of these relations since it has clearer institutional expectations and aims than ASEAN. The liberal economic focus of the EU grasped ASEAN members' attention to increase their inter-regional trade profits. Yet what the latter could provide to the former has been asymmetrical. The inter-regionalist liberal institutionalism steps in right here to explain that this asymmetry is not a real hindrance to the development of these relations. Accordingly, this study argues that although these two institutions are imbalanced regarding their institutionalization and economic development level, they could still continuously cooperate. Moreover, this cooperation could spill over to other realms and continue deepening.