On May 13th, the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum will take place in Stockholm, co-chaired by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström and EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The forum is part of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU and aims to strengthen the partnership between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region. Around 60 foreign ministers from the Indo-Pacific region and the EU will attend, as well as representatives from regional organizations and other partners.
Discussions during the meeting will focus on common challenges related to security, trade, global value chains, digitalization, the green transition, and energy security. The Indo-Pacific region accounts for 70% of global trade and two-thirds of global growth, making it a region of great geopolitical and economic importance. This forum is intended to deepen partnerships and political dialogues with the Indo-Pacific region.
The EU adopted a strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in 2021, with the goal of increasing engagement and building partnerships that strengthen the rules-based world order. The EU’s approach is characterized by openness and inclusiveness, and is based on the rule of law, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and international law and agreements like the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement on climate change.
HRVP Josep Borrell emphasized the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, saying “in many ways, the Indo-Pacific region is where the future of our planet and of history will be decided. How the region develops is of direct interest to us. We have a stake in each other’s security and a shared interest in upholding the rules-based international order.”