At the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday 1 June, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, spoke of the importance the European Union attaches to security in the Indo-Pacific region, which has become the “beating heart” of the global economy.
“We are 15% of the world trade. The Indo-Pacific accounts for 45%. Altogether, combined, we are about two-thirds of the world trade. Security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are increasingly interlinked.”, he said.
He spoke of geopolitical tensions and mentioned the partnership between China and Russia, as well as the military support provided by North Korea to Russia in the war in Ukraine, which has implications for European security.
In addition, this dialogue comes a week after China organised military exercises around the island of Taiwan, following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te (see EUROPE 13415/20). China has also made it very clear that it will act “with determination and force” to prevent the island’s independence, in the words of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun on 2 June.
In this context, Mr Borrell pointed out that “40% of our trade passes through the South China Sea. That’s why avoiding tension in the South China Sea or the Taiwan Strait is of the utmost importance for us”.
He also stressed that the EU could offer “a unique contribution” to the region’s security, drawing on its extensive experience in conflict and crisis management and its know-how in non-traditional security areas, notably cybernetics, the fight against disinformation and foreign interference, and the maritime domain.
Finally, he reiterated the EU’s strong commitment to security based on international law and the United Nations Charter. (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)