Unpacked: The European Union in the Indo-Pacific

3 questions, 3 answers, 3 minutes:

FES brings together thought leaders from Asia and Europe to discuss the role of the European Union in the Indo-Pacific.

The Indo-Pacific is widely considered to be the most important geopolitical theatre of the 21st century. It is where the future international order, security, trade and the global economy will be decisively shaped. The launch of Indo-Pacific strategies and guidelines by France, Germany and the Netherlands and the publication of a joint EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific speak to the strategic relevance of this vast space stretching from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific Island states. Our FES experts and partners review the EU’s engagement in the region and share their understanding of the nuances.

21 - Japan: Sayo Saruta

Japan and many Asian countries could be the theatre of conflict in the event of an accident or mishap in the context of the intensifying geopolitical tensions in the region. Sayo Saruta, Director of the New Diplomacy... More

20 - Indonesia: Dr Shafiah Muhibat

The EU and Indonesia have a history of engagement and cooperation covering a wide range of development and economic cooperation. Dr Shafiah Muhibat, Head of the Department of International Relations at CSIS Indonesia,... More

19 - USA: Lisa Curtis

The United States and the European Union have increasingly focused their strategic attention on the Indo-Pacific and continue to foster dialogue and coordination as transatlantic partners. Lisa Curtis, Director of the... More

18 - South Korea: Prof Jae-Seung Lee

South Korea walks on a geopolitical tightrope, positioned between the United States, its long-standing ally, and China, its most important trade partner. And it deals with a restive neighbour in the north. Professor... More

17 - Sharon Seah, ASEAN Studies Centre

As a predominantly archipelagic region, Southeast Asia is disproportionately threatened by the potential consequences of climate change. Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore,... More

16 - Vietnam: Prof Dr Pham Quang Minh

Vietnam plays a key role in the evolving geopolitics of Asia. Professor Pham Quang Minh, former dean of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, discusses the role of the EU in the... More

15 - Dr Janka Oertel, European Council on Foreign Relations

The European Union needs to take its own agency seriously to be able to effectively handle the new geopolitical challenges that are emerging in Asia. Janka Oertel, Asia Programme director at the European Council on... More

14 - China: Prof Dingding Chen

Scholars in China largely view the Indo-Pacific as a concept of the United States and its allies, with a preponderance of the geopolitical aspect. It is also becoming central to US-China relations, particularly in the... More

13 - Myanmar: Min Zin

The EU has been a strong development partner for Myanmar. In the aftermath of the military coup, Min Zin, Executive Director, Institute for Strategy and Policy in Yangon, stresses the importance of continued support for... More

12 - Bernd Lange, Member of the European Parliament

The EU’s policy in the Indo-Pacific is guided by trade and economic considerations and must put the emphasis on sustainability, workers’ rights and shared values. Bernd Lange, Member of the European Parliament and Chair... More

11 - Mongolia: Dr Mendee Jargalsaikhan

Situated between two great powers, China and Russia, and sharing many of the EU’s fundamental values, Mongolia appears to be a natural partner for Brussels. Dr Mendee Jargalsaikhan, Director of the Institute of Defense... More

10 - Philippines: Dr Charmaine Willoughby

The Philippines are caught in the midst of the US-China rivalry. To navigate through it, Dr Charmaine Willoughby, Associate Professor of International Studies at De La Salle University, stresses the importance of the... More

09 - Nepal: Dr Pramod Jaiswal

The EU has been a valuable development partner of Nepal and has contributed to several development projects along with promoting bilateral trade. Dr Pramod Jaiswal, Research Director at NIICE, Kathmandu, shares his... More

08 - Dr Steven Blockmans, CEPS, Brussels

“What happens in the Indo-Pacific does not stay in the Indo-Pacific”, stresses Dr Steven Blockmans, Research Director at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels. Whether it is maritime security, freedom of... More

07 - Australia: Hervé Lemahieu

“Australia needs allies and partners if it hopes to revitalize and strengthen the international rules-based order. That is where Europe offers the greatest value and acquires much greater importance for Canberra”, says... More

06 - Bangladesh: Dr M Abu Eusuf

“In the aftermath of COVID, we may also see the rise of new leaders in supply chains”, says Dr M Abu Eusuf, Professor at the University of Dhaka and Executive Director of Research and Policy Integration for Development... More

05 - Singapore: Dr Yeo Lay Hwee

Singapore and the EU enjoy a strong partnership on several fronts, including on the economic front as well as in promoting multilateralism. Dr Yeo Lay Hwee, Director of the European Union Centre in Singapore, shares her... More

04 - Thailand: Dr Thitinan Pongsudhirak

The ASEAN region is in the spotlight of the evolving US-China rivalry. What role does the EU play in the region and Thailand in particular? Dr Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Professor and Director of the Institute of Security... More

03 - Malaysia: Liew Chin Tong

Why is Malaysia wary of the term Indo-Pacific? Liew Chin Tong, Malaysian Senator and former Deputy Defence Minister, gives us a glimpse of what the EU’s presence in the Indo-Pacific mean for Malaysia and what they hope... More

02 - India: Prof C Raja Mohan

“The EU has a big role in structuring a new, more secure and more stable order in the Indo-Pacific”, says Prof C Raja Mohan, Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. He... More

01 - EU Ambassador Barbara Plinkert, Singapore

In our first episode, Ambassador Barbara Plinkert, Head of the EU Delegation to Singapore, shares her perspectives on why the European Union needs a strategy for the region and tells us how it intends to work with... More

Vlog launch

In April 2021, the European Council adopted its conclusions on the Indo-Pacific. It is expected that a fully-fledged EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific will be presented by September. In the months leading... More

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Marc Saxer
Director, FES Office for Regional Cooperation in Asia

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Dinkim Sailo
Senior Programme Manager

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Phatsurang Dechabuddharungsi
Regional Communications Coordinator

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The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is a non-profit German foundation funded by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, and headquartered in Bonn and Berlin. It was founded in 1925 and is named after Germany's first democratically elected President, Friedrich Ebert. FES is committed to the advancement of both socio-political and economic development in the spirit of social democracy, through civic education, research, and international cooperation. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is the oldest political foundation in Germany.