A tugboat accompanies the French naval ship Vendemiaire (F734), a surveillance frigate of the Floreal class light of the French Marine National, on its arrival for a five-day benevolence visit to a port in Metro Manila, Philippines, 12 March 2018. REUTERS / Romeo Ranoco / file photo
The European Union on Monday decided to step up its influence in the Indo-Pacific region by using areas of security to health to protect its interests and counter China’s rising power, although the bloc insists its strategy does not against Beijing is not.
Led by France, Germany and the Netherlands, which have first outlined ways to deepen ties with countries such as India, Japan and Australia, the 27-member bloc wants to use the emerging plan to show Beijing that it opposes the spread of authoritarianism. is.
The bloc “believes that the EU needs to strengthen its strategic focus, presence and action in the Indian Pacific … based on the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and international law,” the EU ministers said. foreign affairs said in a statement. Diplomats said the plan was not ‘anti-China’.
The ten-page document will now be followed in September by a more detailed strategy, foreign ministers agreed at a video conference, saying they want to work with ‘like-minded partners’ on basic rights in the Indo-Pacific region to maintain.
The plan could mean a higher EU diplomatic profile on Indo-Pacific issues, more EU staff and investment in the region and possibly a greater security presence, such as sending ships through the South China Sea, or getting Europeans in Australian patrols, although all details have yet to be agreed.
Although China is not mentioned in detail, the language in the EU declaration is a code for the support of the United States under President Joe Biden in his approach to China, amid concerns that Beijing is pursuing technological and military modernization that West and its trading partners threatened. Asia.
EU diplomats say Indo-Pacific countries want the EU to be active in the region to keep trade open and ensure they do not face a choice between Beijing and Washington, whose relations are .
The EU statement, which follows similar plans by former EU member Britain, comes as European stance on China hardens over its security action in Hong Kong, the treatment of Uighur Muslims and the COVID-19 pandemic, which China has been identified.
“The EU will further develop partnerships and strengthen synergies with equal partners and relevant security and defense organizations,” the EU statement said.
“This will include responding to international security challenges, including maritime security.”
It is unclear how far the EU is prepared to go with security. The bloc is hungry for new trade and sees the Indo-Pacific as a potential.
It calls for a commitment to free trade agreements with Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has warned that the EU is failing after China and other Asia-Pacific economies signed the world’s largest free trade agreement from 2022.
The EU document also said that the bloc wants to sign an investment treaty with China that both parties agreed in principle in late 2020.
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