What is the News?
The European Union has released a new Indo-Pacific strategy for boosting economic, political and defence ties in the Indo-Pacific.
Why an EU Strategy for the Indo-Pacific?
The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly becoming strategically important for the EU. The EU is already the top investor, the leading development cooperation partner and one of the biggest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
Together, the Indo-Pacific and Europe hold over 70% of the global trade in goods and services, as well as over 60% of foreign direct investment flows.
What is the aim of the Indo-Pacific Strategy?
The aim of the strategy is:
To strengthen and expand economic relations
To reinforce the respect of international trade rules
To help partners fight and adapt to climate change and biodiversity loss
To boost cooperation on health care so least-developed countries can better prepare for crises like the coronavirus pandemic.
What does the strategy say on Security and Defence in the Indo-Pacific?
As part of the strategy, the EU will promote an open and rules-based regional security architecture, including secure sea lines of communication, capacity-building and enhanced naval presence by the EU Member States in the Indo-Pacific.
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 intensify its dialogues with partners on counter-terrorism and cybersecurity.
Source: This post is based on the article “EU unveils Indo-Pacific strategy” published in PIB on 17th September 2021.
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