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Asia soon to be center of the world: French official

"France and Europe are not intending to remain secondary partners in Asia, but indeed full players." — Herve Morin, French defense minister

Asia will become the center of the world within 25 years and Europe cannot afford not to have a stake in the region, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said yesterday, a day after the US reaffirmed its commitment to Asia.

“A global stake requires a global answer. France and Europe are not intending to remain secondary partners in Asia, but indeed full players,” Morin told an annual security conference.

He said France’s strategic interest in the region was illustrated by its efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan — it will host an international donors conference for Afghanistan on June 12 with Afghan President Hamid Karzai attending.

“During the 25 years to come, the center of gravity of the world will move towards Asia,” Morin told the Shangri-La Dialogue, which brings together defense ministers and military experts from Asia-Pacific countries.

Morin said Asia’s “economic, financial, demographic and intellectual dynamism” will make it a “major strategic stake for Europe.”

In particular, Southeast Asia will be an area of “increasing commitment” by the EU and its member states, “which have understood the significance” of Asia’s strategic importance, he said.

Morin said that France’s interest in Afghanistan was linked to its determination to counter terrorism and fundamentalism around the world.

“Today, struggling against al-Qaeda and its ramifications is still a priority for each nation present in this room. Let me tell you solemnly today: In this struggle, France will stand by you,” he said.

Morin’s speech echoed the words of US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who in his speech said the US’ commitment to Asia would not waver when a new administration takes over next year.

The conference, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, concluded yesterday.

Morin also said Asia must stop treating Europe as a junior partner.

“We are no longer in an environment that was long ago described as ‘benign neglect’ by Europe about Asia by a Singaporean prime minister. Symmetrically, Asia should not consider Europe as a second-ranking partner,” he said.

He called for cooperation against maritime piracy and offered France’s help with averting any problems that may arise as Southeast Asia’s submarine forces patrol shallow waters and narrow routes.

Morin also said governments must discuss how to better organize assets in case of another European humanitarian operation in Asia, following the cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in southwest China.

European nations colonized much of Asia but the US has been the pre-eminent military, political and economic power in the region since the end of World War II.
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