On 7 July 2026, the European Parliament adopted a comprehensive recommendation to the Council, the Commission, and the High Representative, calling for a strategic intensification of EU engagement in East Asia and the Indo-Pacific. The text, drafted by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, outlines a broad set of policy proposals aimed at strengthening cooperation with like-minded democratic partners—particularly Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan—to counter growing systemic rivalry, maritime disputes, and authoritarian influence in the region.
The recommendation advocates for enhanced EU strategic autonomy through trade diversification, secure supply chains, and closer security partnerships. It welcomes enhanced Japan-Republic of Korea cooperation and calls for deepening EU-Japan and EU-Republic of Korea Security and Defence Partnerships, including joint defence industry dialogues. The Parliament also proposes establishing a structured EU-Taiwan cooperation framework focused on critical technologies, supply-chain resilience, and cybersecurity, and exploring a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan. On China, the text urges pragmatic engagement while coordinating with like-minded partners on security issues, and calls for contingency planning for potential escalation scenarios in the Taiwan Strait, including a naval blockade. The recommendation also addresses Russia's growing involvement with North Korea, condemns North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, and calls for stronger EU economic security instruments such as the Anti-Coercion Instrument and FDI screening. It emphasises the role of ASEAN in regional stability and urges intensified engagement through the Global Gateway strategy and NATO's IP4 framework. The Parliament also calls for expanding cooperation on non-traditional security, people-to-people links, and research programmes such as Horizon Europe.
The recommendation signals a significant shift toward a more proactive EU role in East Asian security and economic affairs, with implications for transatlantic coordination and EU-ASEAN relations. It positions the EU as a geopolitical actor seeking to reduce dependency on China while building institutional frameworks with democratic partners. The text now serves as formal guidance for the Council, Commission, and High Representative in shaping EU policy toward the region.