EU’s US$17 million maritime aid for Philippines targets Asian ‘fault lines’

AI Summary

The European Union has allocated US$17 million in maritime aid to the Philippines as part of an effort to expand its Indo-Pacific strategy beyond trade and into security. This move reflects the EU's desire to play a larger role amid regional maritime disputes and challenges to the rules-based order.

The European Union’s upgraded partnership with the Philippines signals the bloc’s aim to diversify its Indo-Pacific strategy beyond trade into the security arena. Such a move shows Brussels is seeking a larger role in a region where maritime disputes and challenges to the rules-based order could damage its extensive interests, according to analysts. On Friday, Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy...