Welcome
Statement by Minister of State Lindner before traveling to Brussels for the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and the EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
Prior to his departure for Brussels, Minister of State Lindner issued the following statement today (2 February):
The Indo-Pacific is a key region for Europe – in terms of security policy, economic policy and the fight against climate change.
We face common challenges such as ensuring the security of shipping routes, something on which our prosperity depends, protecting ourselves from cyberattacks and shaping the green transition. We have strong partners in the Indo-Pacific, with whom we want to tackle these issues.
I hope to use my trip to Brussels to enhance Germany’s relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific, and with ASEAN in particular.
Background information
Minister of State Tobias Lindner travels to Brussels on 2 February for the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum and the EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting. These meetings will centre on dialogue between EU states and Indo‑Pacific partners on security, economic and climate-related challenges.
The EU has adopted a Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and is pursuing the objective of deepening and diversifying its relations with the region. The German Government is also fostering relations with the Indo-Pacific region on the basis of its policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific, and publishes annual progress reports. Within the EU, Germany supports further sustainable free trade agreements with Indo-Pacific countries and investment in high-quality infrastructure under the EU connectivity initiative Global Gateway.