Emphasis on further strengthening cooperation with the EU Indo-Pacific region

The EU=European Union held a ministerial meeting with countries in the Indo-Pacific region and emphasized its desire to further strengthen cooperation by strengthening the supply network of strategically important goods.

Representatives of more than 13 countries and international organizations attended the ministerial meeting with Indo-Pacific countries held in Sweden, which the EU holds the chair on June 50.

At the beginning of the meeting, EU High Representative High Representative Borrell said, "We want to further strengthen our ties and dependence, and the Indo-Pacific region is like a close neighbor economically," adding that there is a growing sense of caution about over-dependence on China in the EU, including strengthening supply chains for strategically important goods. He emphasized his desire to further strengthen cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region.

At the meeting, in addition to cooperation on climate change countermeasures and energy security, views were also exchanged on the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the press conference after the meeting, High Representative Borrell expressed her willingness to promote wide-ranging cooperation, saying, "The relationship between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region reflects the desire of the world to further cooperate as Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues."

Concerns about major power confrontation

The Indo-Pacific countries who attended the meeting on the 13th welcomed the strengthening of relations with the EU = European Union, but there were also concerns about becoming involved in confrontation between major powers.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno, who chairs ASEAN = Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said, "ASEAN is strategically positioned as the center of the Indo-Pacific region, so we do not want the region to become a new stage of confrontation. We are not interested in being involved in the Cold War again."

He stressed that "the framework of cooperation must be open to all countries and it is important to benefit our people."