Australia and the European Union promoting a normative, security agenda in the South Pacific Islands. Issue 4 (20th October 2019) - Kfir, Isaac
ABSTRACT: This study shows that Australia and the European Union (EU) have many shared interests when it comes to the South Pacific and its inhabitants. In looking at the shared interests, the study focuses on humanitarianism but viewing it through a broad security lens. Australia's engagement in the region is generally framed through aid due to the islands' fragility, strategic importance and Australia's and the EU's commitment to maintaining the rule-based liberal international order. The EU, which has a more complex area, is looking to become a security community and therefore has an interest in the region, which is becoming increasingly important in geostrategic thinking. Key points Australia is using humanitarian assistance to support the securitization of the South Pacific. The EU is looking to engage more with the South Pacific countries and this engagement is in part because it wants to be a security community. The engagement is driven by Chinese interest in the region.