The European Union (EU) is seeking to boost its presence and influence in the Indo-Pacific region, offering closer political and investment ties to around 20 countries. This move comes as the bloc aims to reduce its reliance on imports from China and increase its footprint in the region, despite the growing ambitions of both China and the US. The EU's Global Gateway program, which aims to develop lasting, quality infrastructure projects that don't create dependence, was touted at a recent forum that gathered foreign ministers from the EU and the Indo-Pacific region. The EU is looking to pursue 20 Global Gateway projects in the Indo-Pacific, ranging from investment in hydropower and solar energy plants to transportation infrastructure such as railways, ports, and airports.
The EU's dependence on China was laid bare during the Covid-19 pandemic when countries and companies struggled to source masks and other equipment. This has led the EU to seek to decrease its reliance on imports from China, including on raw materials needed for the bloc's green transition. Additionally, tensions between the West and China have been heightened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with pressure mounting on Beijing to distance itself from Moscow.
The EU first adopted a common strategy on the Indo-Pacific in 2021, pushed by France, which has overseas territories in the area. Paris hosted an EU summit to discuss cooperation with the region last year, shortly before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. France also recently had a submarine contract cancelled by Australia as Canberra entered a defense alliance with the US and the UK.
The EU's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, stated that the EU wants to "step up our engagement to deliver more concrete results on the ground" and that the bloc will pursue the development of infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific. While France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna did not mention China directly, she stated that the Global Gateway strategy was aimed at promoting "lasting, quality infrastructure projects that don't put countries in a situation of dependence," including in the digital sector. She also noted that French frigates would patrol the region more frequently.
The EU has repeatedly stressed the challenge it faces in persuading partners to side with Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joined the recent debate to make a plea for Indo-Pacific countries to support Kyiv. However, there are differences among the countries on the issue, with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar stating that each country addresses the issue in its own way.
Overall, the EU's efforts to increase its presence and influence in the Indo-Pacific region come as it seeks to reduce its reliance on China and boost its footprint in the region. The EU's Global Gateway program is seen as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, with the EU seeking to develop lasting infrastructure projects that do not create dependence.