Professor of diplomacy in practice ( College of Europe, PSIA) , think tanker ( GMF, EPC). Former EU Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at
@eu_eeas
This report was written together with co-authors Natalie Sabanadze from Chatham House and Abigaël Vasselier from MERICS. China-Russia alignment is a reality which impacts security in Europe. This requires clear policy responses , and we provide some recommendations.
🇨🇳 🇷🇺 In a new report, GMF's
@WiegandEU
calls for transatlantic partners to adopt a common approach to address the security challenge posed by a strengthened Russia-China partnership.
🤝 In collaboration with
@merics_eu
and
@ChathamHouse
.
⬇️ Read now
It’s done! The largest bilateral free trade area ever, the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) have just been signed at Tokyo summit. Our relations enter new era, have never been stronger between likeminded EU and Japan.
An unprecedented appeal of Chiefs of Defence from 12 nations , incl. EU Member States Denmark, Germany, Greece and Italy, to the Myanmar Armed Forces to stop killing their own people and to protect them instead
“We urge the Myanmar Armed Forces to cease violence and work to restore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost through its actions,” the Chiefs of Defense of 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇩🇪 🇬🇷 🇮🇹 🇯🇵 🇩🇰 🇳🇱 🇳🇿 🇰🇷 🇬🇧 and the 🇺🇸 stressed.
READ:
EU & Canada share serious concerns about mass arrests of pro-democracy politicians & activists in
#HongKong
. We both call on authorities to respect HK's rule of law, human rights, democratic principles and high degree of autonomy.
The mass arrest of activists & politicians in
#HongKong
is a grave repression of political pluralism. It demonstrates a total disregard for Hong Kong's Basic Law & further erosion of the « One country two systems ». We call for their immediate release.
Frank exchanges today with
#HongKong
Security Bureau & Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. Raised EU concerns on implementation of
#NationalSecurityLaw
. EU Foreign Ministers to discuss HK at Monday
#FAC
After 33 years of working for the EU, of which the last fulfilling 7,5 years at the helm of Asia and the Pacific Department
@eu_eeas
I am now happy to move on to new challenges and activities! 1/2
Good discussion in Singapore with Noeleen Heyzer,
@UN
Special Envoy for
#Myanmar
on how to support
@ASEAN
& UN efforts to avert a deepening conflict. Look forward to tomorrow’s special session on Myanmar at
#SLD2022
@IISS_org
2/2 I will soon teach as Professor of Diplomacy in practice
@collegeofeurope
and join
@gmfus
Indo-Pacific Program as Distinguished Visiting Fellow, as well as
@epc_eu
as Senior Adviser.
Not a routine meeting, but a historic step: Foreign Ministers upgraded today EU-ASEAN relations to a Strategic Partnership - 2 stability anchors amidst growing global uncertainties. They also agreed to strengthen connectivity cooperation and set up a working group on palm oil.
The charges against activist Jimmy Lai under the
#nationalsecuritylaw
are another concerning development for Hong-Kong's civil society and pro-democracy voices
Intensive EU/China Strategic Dialogue underway between HRVP Josep Borrell and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on bilateral relations, international impact of Covid19 and regional issues, preparing also for future summit
Myanmar: Joint Statement of the EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, the UK and the US condemning the execution of Pro-Democracy and Opposition Leaders | EEAS Website
Dinner together yesterday in Beijing for first time since 3 years, with MFA DG Europe
@WangLutongMFA
, discussing both EU-China cooperation and how to manage our differences
Glad to welcome Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen
@BDMOFA
for the 4th EU-Bangladesh Diplomatic Consultations
@eu_eeas
EU and Bangladesh will step up cooperation in the field of climate action, security and connectivity.
#TogetherForOurPlanet
Honoured to host
@PaudyalBR
and
@GahendraR
of our like-minded partner
#Nepal
@MofaNepal
today to discuss further strengthening of ties and EU support in areas as trade, climate change and good governance
@EUinNepal
🇪🇺🇳🇵
EU means it when it says that it stays engaged in Afghanistan: EU supports Afghan people with additional €268.3 million, contributing to maintain essential services
Afghanistan: phone call of High Representative/Vice-President Borrell to President Ghani on the results of the presidential elections - European External Action Service
EU-Pakistan: delighted to welcome co-chair Economic Affairs Secretary Noor Ahmed for the Joint Commission, 1st under the new EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan - off to a good start, broadening and deepening our cooperation
@zjanjua
@PAMPALONIPAOLA
@ euPakistan
Good and constructive discussion with China's Special Envoy for European Affairs, Ambassador Wu Hongbo, focusing on 🇪🇺🇨🇳 EU-China bilateral relations, global and regional challenges, and how to manage differences.
16th EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting agreed today that a complete and immediate ceasefire in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 is needed to advance intra-Afghan peace and reconciliation
EU-US cooperation on economic coercion, on our respective relations with China, and on the need to tackle effectively the dire economic situation in Afghanistan: glad to receive today for substantial dialogue US Undersecretary for Economic Growth Jose F. Fernandez
Substantial meeting today with CPC CC Int. Dept. Vice Minister Qian Hongshan on EU-China relations, notably on the Russian aggression against Ukraine and on the need to preserve peace and the status quo regarding Taiwan
The European Commission’s Charlemagne building is getting ready to host the first Europa Connectivity Forum next Friday, focusing this year on EU-Asia connectivity
#EUConnectivity
Thank you to
#ASEAN
Member States Ambassadors for having joined us today at EEAS HQ to discuss the EU‘s evolving Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in the light of ASEAN‘s Indo-Pacific Outlook experiences
@EUinASEAN
EU Heads of State and Government at the European Council adopt conclusions on relations with China, reaffirming the multi-faceted common approach as defined in the 2019 Strategic Outlook
A great
#EUOpenDay
yesterday!
#EUDiplomacy
#EuropeDay
Many thanks to Amb. Andr Hadi of 🇮🇩 for bringing the Balinese orchestra & dance group Saling Asah from Antwerp to
@eu_eeas
and connecting our visitors with wonderful music and traditional dance! 👏🙏
@indonesiainbxl
The leaders of the Quad nations ( US, India, Japan, Australia) explicitly welcome today at their summit in Washington , DC the EU's new Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
EU Hong Kong 🇭🇰 True friends stand by each other at difficult times! At Structured Dialogue with HK Deputy Secretary Sum and in many side meetings I expressed strong commitment of EU to Hong Kong, with its high degree of autonomy, rule of law and and fundamental freedoms.
HRVP Borrell and US Secretary of State Blinken launched consultations on the Indo-Pacific, stepping up joint engagement in the region, and agreeing to work jointly to prevent socio-economic collapse in Afghanistan, and for solutions for the Afghan people
Very important, unprecedented: Organization of Islamic Cooperation calls upon Kabul de facto authorities to reverse their decision banning women and girls from university education
Following the decision by the de facto Administration in
#Afghanistan
to close down universities for
#girls
and
#women
for an unspecified period, the
#OIC
Secretary-General of the H.E.
#Hissein_Brahim_Taha
, expresses his grave concern & denunciation of this disconcerting decision
🇪🇺🇨🇳 Frank & open discussion on 23 February with Chinese Assistant Minister Wu on Asia. Covered relations with ASEAN & other partners in the region, and hotspots, such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Korean Peninsula and South China Sea. Agreement to continue consultations.
Afghanistan: Deliberate attacks targeting Shia community and the Hazara ethnic group are heinous acts and must stop. All 🇦🇫 citizens deserve to live in safety. Country's de facto authorities must ensure safety and security of its citizens.
Celebrating today the 60 years of EU 🇪🇺 - Republic of Korea 🇰🇷 diplomatic relations - a great success story! Preparing for a new era together! We are key partners for a free, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
China 🇨🇳 has become indirectly through its support for Russia’s war effort also a security threat for Europe - here you can read the “Handelsblatt” interview with me - in German- : “China ist zur Sicherheitsbedrohung für Europa geworden“
@gmfus
The EU approach to the Indo-Pacific: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) - European External Action Service
Excellent 🇪🇺🇵🇭 Joint Committee, deepening relations w/
#Philippines
, launching new maritime affairs dialogue, engaging on rule of law, exploring deeper economic ties. My personal thanks to Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro of
@DFAPHL
also for championing EU-
#ASEAN
cooperation
Today I welcomed Amb. of China to EU
@FuCong17
We had a good & constructive discussion on a wide range of important issues for 🇪🇺-🇨🇳relations. I look forward to advancing our work on concrete engagement opportunities and addressing our differences
@EUdelChina
Global Gateway: EU greenlights 40 new guarantee programmes under the European Fund for Sustainable Development plus for investments in key sectors, including in Asia Pacific
In Memoriam: Julian Wilson - the EEAS AsiaPac department joins the Delegation in Jakarta and pays tribute to our dear colleague Julian, who also served as EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Pacific, in Fiji
EU-China 22nd summit: Presidents Michel and von der Leyen in intensive, constructive exchanges with Chinese leadership today on Covid19/its socio-economic impact, on reciprocal economic relations, on cooperating on global challenges, human rights issues and Hong Kong
The European Union 🇪🇺 and Japan 🇯🇵 reviewed recent progress under their Strategic Partnership Agreement in Tokyo, during their first in-person Joint Committee since 2020 👍 See the press release below for details ✅
@MofaJapan_en
Constructive dialogue today in Brussels with CNRP opposition party leaders
@MNVKem
and Yem Ponhearith on possible ways to overcome the political impasse in
#Cambodia
Together with Amb.
@saleh_mahbub
we opened today an exhibition at
@eu_eeas
showing
@UNICEF
activities to build the resilience of
#Rohingya
women, men and youth in Cox’s Bazar. Thank you
#Bangladesh
for your hospitality, the EU continues its unwavering support!
With many thanks to 🇲🇾 Ambassador Rozian for hosting, it was a great pleasure to meet
#ASEAN
Ambassadors today. An opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for our collaboration to strengthen the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership!
@EUinASEAN
Yesterday’s first EU Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in Paris with 32 partners from the Gulf and East Africa to the Pacific led to many concrete outcomes - here’s what the action with our partners actually entails:
EU-China: meeting yesterday in Beijing new Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang, preparing for two EU- China summits in 2020 (in spring in Beijing and in September in September in Germany) and negotiating a new EU-China Strategic Agenda for Cooperation 2025
#EUChina
@eu_eeas
A thought provoking contribution from Janka Oertel on the data security aspects of EVs, worth your time to read: “ Security recall: The risk of Chinese electric vehicles in Europe” | ECFR
Thank you to GMF China Global for providing me with the opportunity to offer you some more insights into the complex challenges and opportunities of 🇪🇺 - 🇨🇳 relations , going beyond the usual headlines you find on X.
📢 NEW: On the latest China Global,
@BonnieGlaser
is joined by
@gmfus
's newest visiting distinguished fellow,
@WiegandEU
, to discuss EU-China relations on the eve of their 24th bilateral summit.
What factors are driving 🇪🇺🇨🇳 relations?
🎧 Listen here:
EU-Pakistan: candid, constructive and results oriented discussions at Joint Commission on human rights incl. gender equality, regional and security cooperation/ effective fight against terrorism, promoting trade and investment and on climate change/renewable energy cooperation
Glad to open and chair today the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Senior Officials Meeting with 51 colleagues from all over Asia and Europe- focusing on effective multilateralism and sustainable connectivity
#AsiaEuropeMeeting
Seen by many as a polariser, he was actually a consensus-builder for a realist EU policy on 🇨🇳 : Maoist-turned-China hawk Buetikofer bows out from European Parliament via
@scmpnews
This Monday I had the opportunity to discuss global and EU-China bilateral opportunities and challenges with Mr Wu Hongbo, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for European Affairs
EU-China consultations on Asia and the Pacific w/ Assistant FM Wu Jianghao this morning. I highlighted the importance of development & security in the region in full respect of intl law & discussed our common responsibilities on
#Afghanistan
#DPRK
#Myanmar
@EUAmbChina
@MFA_China
Myanmar: today is the very sad 5th anniversary of the massive, ongoing Rohingya crisis: statement of the European Commission Members in charge of foreign policy, development and humanitarian assistance:
Joint Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis on China’s measures against Lithuania - European External Action Service
Sri Lanka: delighted to welcome Foreign Secretary Colombage, focusing on strengthened cooperation under the EU's Indo-Pacific Strategy, notably on maritime security and in support of IORA, as well as on reconciliation efforts and amendments of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Women, Peace and Security: Federica Mogherini with female Foreign Ministers’ colleagues from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, RoK at the ARF Retreat Session
Day 2
#SLD2022
More bilaterals with Indo-Pacific partners, incl
@MariyaDidi
, Defence Minister of the Maldives 🇲🇻, G.L.Peiris, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 & the Pacific Islands Forum delegation
@PIFSec
1/2
EU-China: intensive consultations on our respective policies in the AsiaPacific region with Chinese MFA DG for Asia Wu Jianghao, focusing on our relations with Asean, South China Sea, Afghanistan peace process, Korean peninsula.
@eu_eeas
It was an honor to meet today in Brussels Hon. Jotham Napat, Minister of Foreign Affairs of 🇻🇺
#Vanuatu
is a trusted friend and a close partner for the
#EU
. We are aligned on ambitious climate action, stepped up ocean governance and prosperity for the
#Pacific
Coronavirus: EU provides an immediate, global response to the fight against the pandemic, worth 15.6 bn € , of which 1.22 bn € for Asia Pacific partner countries
EU-Japan summit: substantial Joint Statement of likeminded partners on WTO reform, sustainable connectivity/quality infrastructure development, high levels of data protection for data transfers, scaling up action against climate change, and on phasing out of single-use plastics
EU‘s High Representative Josep BORRELL addressing today the Raisina Dialogue in Delhi on the EU‘s role in „ Navigating the Alpha Century „ with Indian counterpart EAM Jaishankar and Deputy US NSA POTTINGER among the listeners
Curious to know how 🇪🇺
#EU
Delegations in 🌏
#AsiaPacific
engage with local audiences, promote Europe and facilitate mutual understanding between Europeans and Asians? Find out more 👇