EU to increase presence in Indo-Pacific under new strategy

European Council adopted document covering areas ranging from trade to climate change and maritime supply routes

It is widely seen as Brussels heeding Washington’s call for allies to boost engagement in the region to counter Beijing

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The European Union will continue to develop partnerships in security and defence, including to tackle maritime security, disinformation and terrorism, under the strategy. Photo: dpa

Published: 12:05am, 20 Apr 2021Updated: 2:31am, 20 Apr 2021

The EU is poised to boost its presence in the Indo-Pacific after the European Council adopted a strategy on Monday to reinforce its focus and actions in the region.

The new European Union strategy comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and is widely seen as Brussels heeding Washington’s call for allies to increase engagement in the region to counter China under its “free and open Indo-Pacific” policy.

A broad range of areas are covered in the 10-page strategy document, including trade and investment, climate change, and free and open maritime supply routes that comply with international law.

The EU will also continue to develop partnerships in security and defence, including to address maritime security, disinformation, terrorism and organised crime, according to a statement which did not specifically mention China or concerns that have been raised over its aggressive maritime actions in the region.

Thomas Gnocchi, head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macau, said the bloc had “strong stakes in the region”. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

The bloc will also cooperate with regional partners to mitigate the economic and human effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and work towards ensuring an inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic recovery, it said.

Thomas Gnocchi, head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macau, said the overall aim of the strategy was to increase Europe’s strategic focus, presence and actions in the Indo-Pacific, “because we have strong stakes in the region”.

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