The Parliamentary elections in June 2011 were won by the party of former (now exiled) Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawartra. New head of government is his sister Yingluck Shinawartra who is the Thailand’s first female Prime Minister. The domestic political situation is still dominated by the antagonism between “Red Shirts” (followers of Thaksin Shinawartra) and “Yellow Shirts” The most important tasks are national reconciliation, peace process and economic comeback.
The first free elections in Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge Regime took place in 1993. In the first case of the court jointly established in 2006 by the UN and Cambodiato prosecute crimes committed by the Red Khmer, on 24 July, followinglengthy negotiations, a verdict was delivered on defendant Khank Khek Leu(Duch), the former Head of the infamous S-21 security prison.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) deals with the Preah Vihear conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. In an ICJ ruling of 1962, Cambodia was granted the temple, but some square kilometres – that are now basis for conflict - were not touched by the verdict. The temple is part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage.
Landlocked Laos seeks good relations to neighbouring countries, especially Thailand with whom it shares ethnical and historical ties. Laos is one of the least developed countries, but has great potential thanks to plenty of resources.
Recent positive developments in Burma/Myanmar include dialogue between the government and Aung San Suu Kyi, changes in the law that allow her party NLD (National League for Democracy) to register for the by-elections, initial releases of political prisoners and moves towards a greater media freedom. The EU acknowledges these developments and stands ready to take according steps to support Burma/Myanmar in its democratic process. Nevertheless, the human rights situation especially in regard to ethnic minorities is still reason for concern. The Parliamentary and Regional elections of November 2010 were not considered free and fair internationally. The 2008 constitution established the great military influence on Parliament.
The Doi Moi Reform policy of 1986 helped Vietnam to achieve important economic and social goals. 70% of the population were considered poor in 1992, a value that has been reduced to 12% in the meantime. In 2009 the World bank already considered Vietnam a Middle Income Country.
Malaysia is heavily engaged in South-South-Cooperation and aims at becoming an industrialized country by 2020.
The main focus of Singapore’s foreign policy is economy. Important issues are free trade, regional cooperation (ASEAN) and good bilateral relations to all nations, especially neighbouring countries. Singapore’s importance comes from its status as major centre for finance (after London, New York and Hong Kong).
The sultanate Brunei Darussalam, independent since 1984, with its head of state and government sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the richest countries worldwide, due to plenty of resources. ASEAN is the focus of foreign policy.
Nationwide presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 10 May on the Philippines. The presidential elections were won by a clear margin by former Senator Benigno S. Aquino III, son of former President Corazon and Benigno Aquino II, the hero of the Phillipine democracy movement killed in 1983. Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo suffered a heavy defeat. Regarding the country’s internal conflicts President Aquino stressed his readiness for rapprochements with the Muslim population and to find a peaceful solution to all armed conflicts, first of all in Mindanao. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fights for independence in the southern province of Mindanao with its predominate Muslim population. New violence sparked again in October 2011. The conflict caused an estimated 120.000 deaths and 2 million displaced persons.
Since the end of the authoritarian regime of long-term President Suharto in 1998 democracy in Indonesia managed to consolidate and entrench with media freedom being exemplary in the regional context. The conflict in the province of Aceh was peacefully resolved in 2005. The civil observation mission ended in 2006. Indonesia was ASEAN-chair in 2011.
Timor-Leste - thanks to the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)established since 2006 and with the Australian-New Zealand international peace keeping force – has seen further consolidation. The local police are gradually assuming security tasks in the country. The next elections will take place in 2012. Timor-Leste is an observing country in ASEAN and has applied for full membership in 2011.
China, Taiwan, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand claim various territories in the South China Sea. The importance of the region comes from its rich resources, shipping straits and fishing grounds. The ASEAN members support a peaceful conflict solution on the basis of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). China and the ten ASEAN nations agreed on eight non-binding guidelines in 2011 that serve de-escalation purposes.
Austria and the EU have strengthened their ties to the region. President Heinz Fischer visited Malaysia and Indonesia in November 2010 and Singapore in February 2011. State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner visited South Korea and Indonesia in November 2011. In Jakarta he opened Austria’s first green embassy worldwide. The region is economically very important for Austria – trade amounts to approximately € 1.4 billion.
The EU seeks partnership- and cooperation agreements in the region. The EU is the third most important trade partner after China and Japan. Trade with the region amounts to almost € 160 billion per year. The EU is furthermore an important investor and partner in foreign aid.