Europe is ready for the new engagement with Asia to handle the upcoming global challenges. Do you agree with this view? Comment (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 3 years
KEY POINTS
· While the global economy crashed in 2020, economies such as Vietnam and China grew.
· A number of Asia’s open societies have shown us how to successfully contain the virus. And without the leading vaccine exporter, India, the world will not beat the pandemic.
· The strategy takes its lead from the Asia of business the EU and Germany are already well-positioned here.
· Europe is a key trading, technology and investment partner for many countries of the region.
· Germany alone now conducts one-fifth of its foreign trade with the countries of the Indo-Pacific, and millions of jobs depend on this.
· The EU recently concluded ground-breaking free trade agreements with Japan, Singapore and Vietnam that set environmental and social standards.
· Together with its Indo-Pacific partners, Europe can set standards for new technologies, human-centred digitisation and sustainable connectivity.
· The strategic partnership concluded between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last December connects us with like-minded middle powers.
· The EU is by far the biggest supporter of the international vaccine platform COVAX, and India as a leading producer of vaccines is the most important COVAX supplier.
· Europe will continue to stand up for human rights and democracy in the Indo-Pacific, the credibility and a commitment to principles remain important guideposts for us in global politics.
