In the second stage of a major summit-level effort in Asia, the EU sought to consolidate relations with both rising powers in the region, when it agreed to a bilateral action plan with India on September 6-7th to give substance to their decision to become strategic partners.

The EU’s emerging new role in crisis management and prevention has been active in seeking to resolve one of Asia’s most stubborn conflicts and could be widened further to involve a major mission should talks between the Indonesian Government and Achenese rebels produce a settlement as early as in July.

Relations between Europe and Burma, as well as its Southeast Asian neighbours, remained as troublesome as ever in early 2005 and close observers were regarding the coming months as a crucial for the future of the country.

One of the world's most remarkable monarchs and political figures for the past fifty years left the scene in Asia in October when Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk carried out long-threatened intentions to retire and abdicate his throne, clearing the way for a special national crown council to select former United Nations cultural envoy Prince Norodom Sihamoni to succeed him in a smooth transition.