A sea of troubles: addressing the EU’s incoherence on the Indo-Pacific

Summary:

In 2021, the EU adopted an Indo-Pacific strategy, designed to promote an open and rules-based regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region. In the strategy, the EU also outlined its efforts to step up its presence there. Implementation of the strategy, however, largely depends on the member-states. France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Lithuania have each published Indo-Pacific strategies or guidelines. While the member-states understand that Europe’s security is influenced by what happens in the region, they have different ideas on how to contribute to its stability and what to do if a crisis erupts. They need to develop a more unified approach.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council: The EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, 2021 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=celex:52021JC0024

EU External Action Service: 30.01.2024 : EU-Indo Pacific Strategy https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-indo-pacific-strategy_en#:~:text=The%20European%20Union%20and%20Indo,responsible%20cooperation%20in%20international%20relations.

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