Europe’s Eastward Gaze: How Far Should It Reach?

This paper offers a reflection on which strategic posture the EU might adopt in the Asia-Pacific, complementing the U.S. presence in the area. It starts from the main premise that the EU and the United States are indispensable partners defending shared values and liberal democratic principles.This paper contends that Europe’s 'Asian' interests are mainly economic in nature and that the EU needs to further strengthen its ties with regional actors, as well as with ASEAN. The paper concludes by discussing China’s extensive presence and vested interests in Africa, which could be used as a strategic point of leverage by the EU.