The European Parliament is preparing an own-initiative report following the presentation in September of the new EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific region (see EUROPE 12792/1). In the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, the majority of political groups called, on Monday 29 November, for stronger investment, which extends beyond trade issues.
For the EPP, there is a clear need to conclude the ongoing trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand and then to look at India and Indonesia. MEP Daniel Caspary (EPP, Germany) also said that the resumption of negotiations with Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand would be welcome.
The S&D and Renew Europe groups did not elaborate on the details of the partner countries to be favoured. However, they emphasised the need to engage the region in ways that support respect for human rights, labour rights and the environment.
“The threats of authoritarian regimes, the principles of democracy must be taken into account in our future development and cooperation work with the Indo-Pacific”, insisted Margarida Marques (S&D, Portugal). Like many of her colleagues, she also wants to keep in mind the objectives of the Green Deal for these partnerships: “For the success of decarbonisation and digitalisation, we need this region on our side”, she added.
Furthermore, Renew Europe recalled the importance it attaches to engaging with global partners that share European values, which includes Taiwan.
Rapporteur Jan Zahradil (ECR, Czech Republic) wants to prepare a “strategic and forward-looking report, which could be adopted during the Czech Presidency of the EU Council”, that will take place in the second half of 2022.
See the EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific region presented in September: https://bit.ly/3nD5bs8 (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)