Apec summit in Bangkok: Emmanuel Macron pleads for a "third way" and France's Indo-Pacific strategy

The French president was invited to the Apec summit being held in Bangkok.

France is not part of this economic forum created in 1989 and which brings together 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, or 28% of the planet's population.

But trade with this region represents a quarter of France's foreign trade.

REUTERS - POOL

Text by: RFI Follow

4 mins

After the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Phnom Penh and the G20 in Bali, Thailand welcomes the members of APEC, the vast economic association of Asia -Peaceful.

The summit opens on Friday and guests include Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Crown Prince, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

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This is the first time that a European country has been invited to this forum, which brings together 21 countries from the region, including the United States and China.

And before talking to his counterparts, the French president first spoke, in English, in front of an audience of big bosses.

Emmanuel Macron sometimes handled humor, sometimes gravity, reports our special correspondent,

.

The humor when he launched in front of a full house: "

he launched to applause ,

The seriousness, when he spoke of the war in Ukraine, which is not just a European war, but a systemic conflict whose consequences spare no region of the world.

The President then defended France's Indo-Pacific strategy, "

he said,

", the famous third way which does not impose choose between a model, whether American or Chinese.

That of respect for sovereignties, of free movement, which would make it possible to develop economic but also technological and cultural exchanges without imposing a hegemonic model 

And to mark the spirits, Emmanuel Macron has again chosen humor: "

he launched,

“A very dynamic half-hour speech, but fifteen minutes to leave the room, everyone wanting their selfie with the French president.

►

: concerning the Indo-Pacific strategy, France "has a historical heritage in this region"

France is not part of Apec, this economic forum created in 1989 and which brings together 28% of the planet's population.

A region that has become the center of gravity of the world economy in recent years.

With its major maritime routes for international trade, it will contribute around 60% of world GDP by 2030. Above all, this area has become a place of confrontation between the two leading economic powers, the United States and China.

Trade between France and the countries of the region reached 264 billion euros last year, or 24% of France's world trade, according to the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

And the investment opportunities are plentiful.

North Korea invites itself to the summit

A first day of summit to which North Korea was invited alone.

Following a

that fell a few hours ago in Japanese waters, an emergency APEC meeting between the United States, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada was organized.

►

 The Apec summit intends to demonstrate the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific zone

Environment and economic crisis on the menu of Apec

The energy crisis and inflation will be at the heart of discussions between leaders during this summit, recalls our correspondent in Bangkok,

.

The Thai government hopes to succeed where the

, ie to reach a meaningful joint declaration on these issues and on the conflict in Ukraine… without however having much chance of succeeding.

A free trade agreement on the Asia-Pacific zone will also be submitted to the heads of state concerned this Friday, a Japanese initiative supported by several regional leaders.

The text is a local attempt to counterbalance several agreements initiated by the United States in the region.

The Japanese Prime Minister also

and the two Asian powers reaffirmed their “friendship”.

Above all, the Thai government intends to submit to the participants a text entitled the "Bangkok Goals", described as an "implementation of the Paris agreements" for sustainable development, including legislative and investment commitments, the signing of which would make it possible to ensure that the Apec summit is seen as a success.

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• France

• Emmanuel Macron

• Thailand