Just one day after the US, UK and Australia announced a joint security pact, called AUKUS, for the Asia Pacific region, the European Union Thursday unveiled its own "Strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific." "The world's center of gravity is moving towards the Indo Pacific, both in geo-economic and geo-political terms. The futures of the EU and the Indo-Pacific are interlinked," EU High Representative Josep Borrell told a press conference in Brussels presenting the strategy. "The EU is already the top investor, the leading development cooperation partner and one of the biggest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region," he said, adding, "Our strategy is for cooperation and not confrontation." Asked by a reporter on his reaction to AUKUS, Borrell replied, "It renders this (the EU's) strategy more important because they show the significance of the region and the need for a different engagement in that region." The EU strategy says that the Indo-Pacific region is increasing in strategic importance for Europe. Its growing economic, demographic, and political weight makes it a key player in shaping the rules-based international order and in addressing global challenges. The EU aims to contribute to the region's stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development, in line with the principles of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law, it said. — KUNA
