Opening remarks by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas at the 4th Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum
European External Action Service (EEAS)
21.11.2025
Brussels, Belgium
Excellencies,
Ministers,
Distinguished delegates,
It is my honour to kick off our deliberations today.
A point on housekeeping before we dive into the substance. Today we have 64 countries here, from Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The EU, with our Member States, cooperates well with each you on various topics we will discuss later.
Now, for today's speech I faced a dilemma: whether I name all of you and all the substantive projects we do with all of you to list each one of you by name, indicating how we cooperate. This would have taken all day and there wouldn't have been any room for other speeches, because of the richness of our relations. Or I just mention just a few examples, which would mean that some are left out.
So I opted not to mention any country specifically by name. But in doing so, I want to stress how deeply we value our cooperation with each and every one of you, even if I do not mention any country by name.
Excellencies, Ministers,
When the EU launched the Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2021, we wanted to strengthen our strategic presence and partnerships in the region. Together with our 27 Member States, who amplify the European offer, our aim was to promote the international rules-based order, sustainable development and regional security.
I suspect that in 2021, many of the Indo-Pacific were not fully aware of what the EU was about or what we are doing in various countries in the region. Many also may have been puzzled of why the EU expressed a strategic interest in the region at all.
Now fast forward to 2025. I believe we can all agree that both Europe and our partners in the Indo-Pacific are at a critical juncture.
Both Europe and the Indo-Pacific are also facing the challenges of modern mercantilism and strategic competition. Moreover, the resilience of our countries in both regions is being tested by climate change, terrorism, global and regional crises.
So whether we are closer to the Atlantic Ocean or the Andaman Sea, we are all in the same boat.
Clearly, these outside pressures are a challenge for both Europe and the Indo-Pacific countries. But what also unites us is our commitment to the international rules-based order. By that I mean international law and the multilateral institutions, norms and procedures we ourselves have set up to ensure compliance as well as accountability.
I never tire of saying that international law is at the foundation of all we aspire to. And the ultimate power of the law is simple: it is always a chance for progress.
So let's turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, partnership and innovation.
One such opportunity is to raise our game in protecting undersea infrastructure. While UNCLOS remains the foundation of the international law of the sea framework, we should make sure that our legal toolbox is up-to-date and adequate to address new threats.
That is why this afternoon I am launching a new initiative looking into ways we can protect critical maritime infrastructure better. Because we need to do this better.
When we do not secure the undersea cables that carry vast amounts of our data, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable.
I want to encourage exchanges of information and the development of creative ideas to protect our infrastructure and increase our resilience against potential threats.
There are important legal discussions to have so that legal expertise will feed into the political discussions. These should look into improvements to the existing applicable international law, in line with the international law of the sea and UNCLOS.
I believe this can benefit us all - so let's join forces.
This is exactly the kind of partnership that Europe is offering to the Indo-Pacific, along three lines.
First, we all want to enhance security and stability. That's why we are concluding Security and Defence Partnerships and holding dialogues and consultations on how we can do so together and within the rules. And conducting joint naval exercises. And also working on maritime domain awareness and information sharing. And a host of other initiatives.
Second, we all want economic growth that is sustainable and secure. That is what our worldwide investment program Global Gateway is all about. EU investment is helping farmers to bring their goods to domestic and global markets. It is also why we are working on critical raw materials with some of you and would like to do so with many more.
After we concluded free trade agreements with some in the region, bilateral trade jumped by more than 40%. We hope that the agreements we are currently negotiating with some of you will deliver that too!
We all want to boost connectivity by bridging digital tech, human capital and physical proximity. Which is what our digital partnerships and dialogues are all about.
And this is why we are turbo-charging our cooperation under Erasmus Plus and Horizon Europe.
Third, we all want sustainable development and sustainable environment. This week we had important discussions at COP30. Climate change affects us all, as our partners in the Indo-Pacific know all too well, we might say. Climate change challenges us to work together.
When we speak of partnership, it is not just words: whenever a country of the region is hit by earthquakes or violent typhoons or other disasters, the European Union is there with emergency relief and humanitarian assistance.
Excellencies, Ministers,
The geopolitical imperative of today's world is actually a call for action to all of us. It is in our interest to be closer partners. Because whether it comes to security, sustainable growth, connectivity, climate action or the defence of international law, we are stronger when we are together.
We are four years into Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, with no real signs that Moscow wants peace. If Russia really wanted peace, it would have accepted the unconditional ceasefire that has been on the table since March this year. Only two days ago, another 26 Ukrainian civilians were killed in Russian attacks.
We are supportive of any plan that brings about a just and lasting peace. As for the peace plan we understand President Zelenskyy has been presented with, we have always said that for any peace plan to work, it has to be with Ukraine and with the Europeans on board.
This theatre of war is not confined to Europe: it is connected to the Indo-Pacific as well by virtue of the troops, arms and ammunition from North Korea flowing to Russia.
And because China says it's neutral, but its dual-use exports are fuelling Russia's war.
On top of that, China and Russia are working together to overhaul the global economic and security order. That is certainly of interest to all of us here.
This partnership can only work if we collaborate on all levels: our citizens, our companies, our development banks, our countries and regions.
We need each other more than ever before. So what are we waiting for? Let's start to work.
Thank you very much.
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