BRUSSELS—The European Union has a “vital interest” in a secure and open maritime trade routes even as it expressed alarm at the escalating tension in the South China Sea.
“As far as maritime security is concerned, I strongly believe that the EU has a vital interest in a securre, open and clean maritime environment that allows the free passage of commerce and people,” said Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders at the opening Tuesday of the EU-Asean forum on regional integration here.
Viewed in Asia as a “soft power”, Reynders said EU needs to assume a global role as a “force of stability.”
Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/88009/eu-has-vital-interest-in-open-secure-west-philippine-sea-says-official#ixzz2hxVDFZOH
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