(Analysis) Assessing the Added Value of European Engagement with Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia locates at the core of the wider Indo-Pacific region and embraces one of the globe’s most crucial bodies of water for maritime trade, the South China Sea. Being also home to vibrantly growing economies, the region holds great strategic importance for most global players. This includes the European Union (EU), whose interests in such a faraway area are of vital importance and include both economic relationships and regional security.

The Palm Oil Havoc in Indonesia

Indonesian forests have been destroyed at a significant rate to create plantations for the palm oil industry. Behind the environmental impacts to forests, rivers, and air, there is a serious human impact, with threats to the life of entire indigenous communities. All this with poor account to the responsible, being companies and government actors.