In the beautiful scenery at the western end of the island of Flores, ASEAN leaders debated for two days the main challenges the region faces. The ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo was a good reminder of ASEAN’s ability to come together and craft common regional policies that are noted well outside Southeast Asia. ASEAN is not only the geographic heart of the Indo-Pacific but also the centre of an Indo-Pacific institutional architecture that contributes to the stability and prosperity of the entire continent and beyond.
Another important event will draw attention: The second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum. In Sweden’s capital Stockholm, foreign ministers from some 50 Indo-Pacific and EU countries will discuss one year after the first successful Forum in Paris ways to enhance partnerships and cooperation, promote peace, stability and shared prosperity between the EU and the Indo-Pacific.
Stockholm may be geographically distant from Labuan Bajo, yet Europe’s ties with the Indo-Pacific are strong and longstanding. The Indo-Pacific is the second largest destination of EU exports and home to four out of 10 of the EU’s largest trading partners. The EU also has a major stake in the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and in the respect for a rules-based international order. Unsurprisingly, our partnership with ASEAN will be prominent at the Stockholm Indo-Pacific Forum, building on the strong momentum in the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership. Last December, leaders from both sides met in Brussels for a historic Summit, taking the relationship between the two most successful regional organisations worldwide to new levels.
The EU committed to invest 10 billion euro (US$10.90 billion) in sustainable infrastructure in Southeast Asia under the EU’s Global Gateway. The two sides signed the EU-ASEAN Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement, a treaty that will lead to more flight options and to more competitive prices, opening new routes and increasing connectivity. A new Green Team Europe Initiative supports the green transition and climate change mitigation and adaptation in ASEAN, while the Sustainable Connectivity Team Europe Initiative will strengthen economic, transport, energy, digital, and most importantly people-to-people links.
The EU and ASEAN not only share strong bilateral ties but also have a similar outlook on the Indo-Pacific: an inclusive, transparent, rules-based, and open region where countries engage on the basis of international law and protection of fundamental freedoms. ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the EU’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific have very similar priorities, such as how to ensure high quality sustainable connectivity, ensure maritime security, as well as advance collaboration on research, innovation and digitalization. Indonesia has long been the main driver of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. This year, as the ASEAN chair, Indonesia has set out to deepen Indo-Pacific engagement and will organize the flagship event of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum in early September.
In this light, the Stockholm Forum provides a major opportunity to partner and make the difference in promoting green growth, sustainable connectivity, free and fair trade and much more. Today’s world is marked by geopolitical tension and systematic attacks on the rules-based international order. In this volatile era, the EU and ASEAN will continue to be anchors for stability, multilateralism and a cooperative international order. We look forward to welcoming all in Stockholm.
*** Igor Driesmans is the EU ambassador to ASEAN. Vincent Piket is the EU ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. Marina Berg is the Swedish ambassador Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN.
Source: thejakartapost