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REPORT (2025/2169(INI))

On a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region

A-10-2026-0189

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Adam Bielan

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament recommends that the Council, Commission and High Representative intensify EU engagement with East Asia, deepen cooperation with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, and uphold international law, including on maritime disputes. It calls for stronger security and defence partnerships, economic security measures, and support for Taiwan's participation in international bodies. It urges action on North Korea, Russia's sanctions circumvention, and enhanced cooperation with ASEAN and other regional partners.

Key points

  1. Intensify strategic focus, presence and dialogue with East Asia, avoiding bloc confrontation and promoting democracy, rule of law and human rights.
  2. Strengthen strategic foresight and contingency planning with East Asian partners to deter unilateral changes to the status quo.
  3. Deepen cooperation with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan on economic coercion, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, maritime security and emerging defence technologies.
  4. Uphold UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Ruling, objecting to unilateral actions not complying with international law.
  5. Facilitate military-industrial cooperation with like-minded partners, focusing on interoperability, joint development and procurement of defence technology.
  6. Step up cooperation on secure supply chains for semiconductors, batteries and critical raw materials, with high environmental and labour standards.
  7. Advance EU-Japan and EU-South Korea security and defence partnerships, including defence industry dialogues and support for Ukraine.
  8. Address Russia's involvement with North Korea, condemn North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes, and call for denuclearisation and respect for human rights.
  9. Establish a structured EU-Taiwan cooperation framework covering trade, critical technologies, cybersecurity and maritime security, and support Taiwan's participation in international bodies.
  10. Reject coercive changes to the Taiwan Strait status quo, develop contingency planning for escalation scenarios, and ensure freedom of navigation.
  11. Use economic security instruments like the Anti-Coercion Instrument and export controls to counter coercive practices.
  12. Enhance cooperation with ASEAN, including security dialogues with Viet Nam and the Philippines, and protect critical maritime infrastructure.

Who is affected

  • Japan, South Korea and Taiwan: deeper cooperation with the EU on security, trade and technology.
  • North Korea: calls to cease military actions, denuclearise and respect human rights.
  • ASEAN member states: expanded cooperation on maritime security and regional stability.
  • Overseas countries and territories: used as platforms for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Figures and deadlines

  • Japan has provided and pledged over USD 20 billion to Ukraine since 2022.
  • Taiwan produces around 50 % of the world's semiconductor output.
  • EU and Japan together account for almost 25 % of global GDP.

Legal basis: Title V of the Treaty on European Union