EU: alliance between China and Russia challenges the multilateral order

The European High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, warned that “the alliance between China and Russia challenges the multilateral order” and advocated that the European Union (EU) counteract it by being more present in the Indo-Pacific area.

“It is obvious that the convergences between China and Russia have an importance in the Indo-Pacific. Clearly, this form of alliance clearly challenges the multilateral order and is another reason to be more present in the Indo-Pacific area.“, said.

The leader spoke together with the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, at the end of the meeting in Paris between the EU and Indo-Pacific nations, including representatives of large economies in the region such as India, Australia and Indonesia.

Borrell and Le Drian avoided answering questions about the crisis in Ukraine and summoned the journalists to a subsequent press conference (5:30 p.m. local time), to be held after an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers, in the that will outline the type of sanctions against Russia.

However, the European diplomat spoke about the “concern” expressed by the participants of today’s forum.

“How not to be worried about what is happening on the eastern border of Europe. We have talked about the issue, even in the UN Security Council the issue has been discussed and Russia has not achieved much support”, added Borrell, who deepened that the EU advocates “maintaining the principle of the integrity and territorial sovereignty of nations”.

Regarding Tuesday’s meeting, Le Drian considered that it has resulted in “concrete actions” that will lead to greater cooperation between the EU and the Indo-Pacific nations, on issues such as maritime safety, climate change, biodiversity and the domain of the new technologies.

Despite being an indispensable actor in the region, China was not invited, a decision that the French minister explained.

“The EU’s strategy is neither against China nor against anyone, it is in favor of the development of the Indo-Pacific, in which the sovereignty of each one is respected. With China we have other channels of discussion”, LeDrian clarified.

Borrell delved into the same argument, pointing out that the EU has communication with China “on several levels”.

“There are concrete geopolitical challenges between the United States and China. For this reason, the history of the 21st century is played out in the Indo-Pacific. We have a vital interest in cooperating in its development because the future is built thereBorrell concluded.