The EU committed to invest 10 billion euro (US$10.90 billion) in sustainable infrastructure in Southeast Asia under the EU’s Global Gateway. Last December, leaders from both sides met in Brussels for a historic Summit, taking the relationship between the two most successful regional organisations worldwide to new levels.

Unsurprisingly, our partnership with ASEAN will be prominent at the Stockholm Indo-Pacific Forum, building on the strong momentum in the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership. The EU also has a major stake in the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and in the respect for a rules-based international order. The Indo-Pacific is the second largest destination of EU exports and home to four out of 10 of the EU’s largest trading partners. Stockholm may be geographically distant from Labuan Bajo, yet Europe’s ties with the Indo-Pacific are strong and longstanding.

In Sweden’s capital Stockholm, foreign ministers from some 50 Indo-Pacific and EU countries will discuss one year after the first successful Forum in Paris ways to enhance partnerships and cooperation, promote peace, stability and shared prosperity between the EU and the Indo-Pacific. Tomorrow, another important event will draw attention: The second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum.

ASEAN is not only the geographic heart of the Indo-Pacific but also the centre of an Indo-Pacific institutional architecture that contributes to the stability and prosperity of the entire continent and beyond. The summit was a good reminder of ASEAN’s ability to come together and craft common regional policies that are noted well outside Southeast Asia. In the beautiful scenery at the western end of the island of Flores, ASEAN leaders debated for two days the main challenges the region faces. Yesterday, the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo came to a close.

Outlook shared tasks