THE world’s center of gravity is moving toward the Indo-Pacific region, in geoeconomic and geopolitical terms.
Recently the decision by Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States to deepen their security and defense ties (the so-called “AUKUS” group) has certainly triggered a lot of debate on the underlying dynamics in the region, and how partners can best respond.
As the European Union, we have a big stake in the future of the region and, we believe, a big contribution to make as well. That is why we published our own Indo-Pacific strategy in September. Its central message is that the EU is ready to step up its engagement in and with the region, working on issues where we have long cooperated, such as trade and investment, while also expanding this to areas where there is scope to do more; for example: collaborating on shared global challenges like climate action and the digital transition, or on common security challenges like cyber and maritime security.
Why is the EU adopting a new Indo-Pacific strategy now? Amid the latter’s economic dynamism, we see that the regional order is increasingly challenged, due to growing geopolitical competition. We can observe the consequences around the world, but most sharply in this region. As the EU, we have a vital interest that the regional order remains open and rules-based. To that end, we want to enhance cooperation with all Indo-Pacific partners who share our goals.
What do we have in mind? Concretely, we have identified several priority areas where we seek to deepen cooperation in practical terms.
Take connectivity. The EU is and remains a connectivity superpower in terms of setting standards that are globally relevant and in terms of mobilizing finance. We want to build links, not dependencies, and that is why we favor a sustainable and rules-based approach to connectivity.
Climate change challenge
A BIG priority will be our linkages on global challenges. Climate change is on everyone’s mind. It is urgent, so we need to join forces to fight, mitigate and adapt to climate change by increasing the level of ambition of our climate action ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26, in Glasgow.
At the same time we should address broader environmental degradation—including plastic pollution and biodiversity loss. We welcome the Philippines’s commitment to take ambitious steps on climate action in particular addressing plastic litter and accelerating the clean-energy agenda. The EU will work hand-in-hand with the country in those areas.
Under the strategy, we have stressed that we want to boost digital partnerships —including by working closely together on setting the standards that will shape our digital lives. We also want to deepen our security engagement—including cyber security and counterterrorism, seeking to make that cooperation as concrete as possible.
Under the strategy, we commit to an open and rules-based regional-security architecture—including secure sea lines of communication, capacity-building and enhanced naval presence by EU member-states. In the Philippines, we are working with the Navy and the Coast Guard, providing assistance in maritime-awareness.
Inclusive strategy
FURTHERMORE, the EU will seek to conduct more joint exercises and port calls with Indo-Pacific partners—including multilateral exercises—to fight piracy and protect freedom of navigation in the region. The EU will also support Indo-Pacific partners’ capacity to tackle cyber crimes.
In terms of who we want to partner with, the EU’s strategy is inclusive of all our partners wishing to tie-up. Certainly, Asean and the Philippines lie at the heart of this crucially important region. Indeed, this region is a strategic partner for the EU. Naturally it has a prominent and privileged place in our Indo-Pacific strategy.
We also include China in our Indo-Pacific plans. In many areas such as climate and biodiversity, for instance, the Asian superpower’s cooperation is essential. Also, we want to deepen our links with democratic, like-minded partners.
In short, the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy is about scaling up and diversifying our political and economic partnerships across the region with one overall motto: “Cooperate whenever possible; protect whenever necessary.”