On Monday 28 May, EU foreign affairs ministers meeting in Council called for enhanced EU security cooperation with Asia.
The conclusions adopted state “there are important possibilities to deepen EU security cooperation with its Asian strategic partners” (China, India, Japan and South Korea), as well as with other partners.
“In each case, the emphasis should be on achieving tangible results in addressing shared security challenges, both in Asia and elsewhere (notably Africa and the Middle East), including on the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, making cooperation a two-way street”, ministers say.
They consider the in-depth dialogue should be on maritime security, cyber security, counter-terrorism, hybrid threats, conflict prevention, the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons (CBRN), and the development of regional cooperative orders. The EU underlines the “need for security cooperation in and with Asian partners to become more operational”, going on to point out that closer coordination of all security-related activities by the EU and member states would enhance visibility and collective impact.
Ministers also highlight a number of “immediate priorities” that should be developed by the EU as part of cooperation. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)