Indo-Pacific

What’s Next for EU-Japan Security Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific?

December 2022 was a historic month for Japan’s foreign affairs. By targeting an increase of defence spending from 1% of its annual budget to 2% over the next 5 years and publishing new defence and security strategies, Japan is reacting to Asia’s new regional security environment. With new defence capabilities and a growing willingness to cooperate with “like-minded countries”, it is thereby making headway to become a stronger security actor in the region.

The Significance of EU-Indonesia Trade Relations in the Indo-Pacific

While the European Union (EU)’s trade relations with Indonesia have strengthened over the years, they have also seemingly come to a standstill. 11 rounds of negotiations for the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) have so far taken place without significant progress due to sticking issues, including trade disputes in palm oil and nickel exports.

Thailand’s “Green Transition”: Implications of the EU Green Deal and improving EU-Thailand Trade Relations

Thailand could be a leader in ASEAN in terms of « Green Transition ». If Bangkok successfully transitions towards a greener economy and comply with the EU Green Deal’s legislation, the EU and Thailand could resume the signing of the 2013 EU-Thailand Partnership Cooperation Agreement and negotiations around a Free-Trade Agreement.

Past Webinar/Hybrid Event “The European Union Global Gateway: Approaching the Indo-Pacific Differently -Taiwan as an example”

Join us on 31 May 2022 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 CEST for the Webinar/Hybrid Event on the EU’s Global Gateway in the Indo-Pacific, taking a closer look at the case of Taiwan as an example.

The French EU Presidency and Upcoming Elections in a Fragile International Context

France has assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU since 1 January 2022, following Slovenia’s term. In a speech delivered on 9 December 2020, French President Emmanuel Macron underlined the necessity for a “European response” in facing both health and economic challenges, the rise of aggressive powers, climate change and global warming.

South Korea’s 20th presidential election: Finding a Korean balance between the US and China in the Indo-Pacific region

South Korea’s presidential election is scheduled to be held on 9 March 2022. The two major parties, the ruling liberal Democratic Party (DP) and the conservative People Power Party (PPP), nominated their presidential candidates, both of whom have no legislative experience in the National Assembly. The former Gyeonggi Province Governor, Lee Jae-Myung, was nominated by the DP to succeed incumbent President Moon Jae-In, and the former Prosecutor-General, Yoon Suk-Yeol, was nominated by the PPP (opposition camp) to rebrand the party following the 2017 impeachment of former President Park Geun-Hye.

The Indo-Pacific Forum and the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy: Engaging with the new International Order

The EU is redefining their position in the international world order through their Indo-Pacific Plan. In this respect, on 22 February 2022, European and Indo-Pacific representatives for foreign affairs and security policy are set to meet in Paris for the Indo-Pacific Forum.

The EU Connectivity Strategy: Putting Words into Action

The EU is stepping up its global connectivity efforts, also seeking to offer countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America viable alternatives to China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’. But how can the EU Connectivity Strategy be successfully implemented?

The Quad Spirit: Shifting Power Politics in the Indo-Pacific?

The virtual meeting between the leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) that took place on the 12th of March