A tugboat escorts the French naval vessel Vendemiaire (F734), a Floreal-class light surveillance frigate of the French Marine Nationale, on arrival for a five-day goodwill visit at a port in Metro Manila, Philippines, March 12, 2018. REUTERS / Romeo Ranoco / File Photo
The European Union decided on Monday to increase its influence in the Indo-Pacific region and use areas from safety to health to protect its interests and counter China’s emerging power, although the bloc insists its strategy is not against Beijing. is.
Led by France, Germany and the Netherlands, who first mapped out ways to deepen ties with countries like India, Japan and Australia, the 27-member bloc wants to use the burgeoning plan to show Beijing that it is against the spread of authoritarianism .
The bloc “believes that the EU should strengthen its strategic focus, presence and actions in the Indo-Pacific … on the basis of the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and international law,” said the foreign ministers. the EU in a statement. Diplomats said the plan was not “anti-China”.
The 10-page document will now be followed by a more detailed strategy in September, foreign ministers agreed in a video conference, saying they would try to work with “like-minded partners” to promote basic rights in the Indo-world. Pacific region.
The plan could mean a higher diplomatic profile of the EU on Indo-Pacific issues, more EU staff and investment in the region, and potentially a greater security presence, such as sending ships through the South China Sea or putting Europeans on patrols in Australia. to be agreed.
While not mentioning China in detail, the language in the EU statement is a code of support from the United States under President Joe Biden in his approach to China, amid concerns that Beijing is pursuing technological and military modernization affecting the West and its trading partners in Asia.
EU diplomats say countries in the Indo-Pacific want the EU to be active in the region to keep trade open and ensure they are not faced with a choice between Beijing and Washington, whose relations are becoming confrontational.
The EU statement, following similar plans by ex-EU member Britain, comes as European stance on China hardens over Hong Kong’s security crackdown, treatment of Uyghur Muslims and the COVID-19 pandemic , which was first identified in China.
“The EU will further develop partnerships and strengthen synergies with like-minded partners and relevant security and defense organizations,” said the EU statement.
“This includes responding to international security challenges, including maritime security.”
It is unclear how far the EU wants to go in the field of security. The block is craving new trade and sees the Indo-Pacific as potential.
It mentioned a commitment to negotiate free trade agreements with Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has warned against missing the EU after China and other economies in Asia and the Pacific signed what could become the world’s largest free trade agreement from 2022.
The EU document also said the bloc wanted to sign an investment treaty with China that both parties agreed in principle at the end of 2020.
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