Europe and Southeast Asia
Anchors For a Stable Indo-Pacific Order
Nov 24, 2025 / Vienna / Indo-Pacific / Global Affairs
On 24 November, AIES, together with CEIAS, the EU-funded project “The EU in the Volatile Indo-Pacific Region” (EUVIP) and the Vienna School of International Studies, held a full day of discussions on “Europe and Southeast Asia: Anchors for a Stable Indo-Pacific Order.” A closed-door workshop and a public evening panel highlighted why developments in the Indo-Pacific, especially Southeast Asia, are increasingly central to Europe’s security and prosperity.
Michael Zinkanell (AIES) stressed the role of Europe and Southeast Asia as anchors of regional stability and recalled António Costa’s priorities for the 2027 ASEAN–EU anniversary: tackling shared challenges, boosting cooperation on security and digitalisation, and upgrading ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Keynote speaker Luis Simón, Director of the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Studies (CSDS) at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), underlined that the region is now a key arena of US–China rivalry, shaping Europe’s economic resilience and geopolitical positioning. Speakers argued that the EU must strengthen cohesion and capabilities to avoid becoming a “playground” for great-power competition.
A second theme was the rise of geoeconomics and strategic capitalism, with control of critical raw materials and key technologies becoming decisive. Europe remains heavily dependent on external suppliers, especially China, and risks falling behind due to fragmented industrial capacity, slow procedures and high energy costs.
The event also showcased the Horizon project EUVIP, which provides analysis on EU foreign policy and case studies on the South China Sea, Myanmar and Taiwan. Its findings call for a more realistic reassessment of the EU’s global role, priorities and tools. Based on this work, speakers recommended more internal unity, more efficient decision-making, and a balanced approach to de-risking from both China and excessive reliance on the United States. Externally, they urged deeper engagement with ASEAN, renewed ambition for a region-to-region FTA, stronger cooperation with partners such as Australia, India, Japan and South Korea, and better use of Team Europe and Global Gateway.
Myanmar emerged as a test case for aligning EU values and interests. Participants highlighted the need to channel humanitarian aid outside junta control, support parallel governance structures, engage non-state actors, work with neighbouring countries on cross-border aid, and simplify visa procedures for Myanmar nationals.
In conclusion, speakers agreed that Southeast Asia now serves as a test of the EU’s external coherence and internal choices. To act as an anchor of stability, the EU must move from declarations to concrete action, investing in resilience, contributing credibly to regional security, listening to local perspectives and ensuring its values align with practical policies.
Speakers included:
- Tanguy Struye, Université catholique de Louvain
- Alfred Gerstl, Palacký University Olomouc
- Kristína Kironská, Palacký University Olomouc
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