EU Envoy for Indo-Pacific Richard Tibbels Visited Australia

Mr Tibbels met with high-profile Australian officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Australian Defence. The visit featured an exchange with key representatives from academia and think tanks, including European Australian Business Council, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, and European Australian Business Council.

Thorough Mr Tibbels’ visit, discussions revolved around shared regional challenges, climate change resilience, and economic partnerships. Mr Tibbels expressed the EU's commitment to an open and rules-based Indo-Pacific, emphasising the need for joint efforts in addressing global issues.

EU Special Envoy for Indo-Pacific also engaged with Team Europe Ambassadors in Canberra and attended the biannual EU Indo-Pacific Forum as key speaker.

EU Indo-Pacific Forum in Canberra

On 15 March, Mr Tibbels engaged in the EU Indo-Pacific Forum (EUIP) at the Australian National University, where experts from both the EU and Australia explored current challenges and opportunities for stronger collaborations in the Indo-Pacific region.

‘Respecting the diversity of the Indo-Pacific is very important if you want to make an impact in the region’, said Richard Tibbels during the EU Indo-Pacific Forum at ANU.

The EU Special Envoy's visit to Australia symbolises the EU's proactive stance in fostering diplomatic ties, contributing to the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.

Further reading:

• Why is there growing international focus on the Pacific? – EU Indo-Pacific Envoy Interview with ABC Radio
• China a ‘crucial economic partner’ to the world – EU Indo-Pacific Envoy Interview with Sky News Australia
• Freedom of navigation ‘absolutely vital’ for European Union’s economic interest – EU Indo-Pacific Envoy Interview with Sky News Australia
• Examining the EU's engagement in the Indo-Pacific - ANU Security College
• EU Indo-Pacific Forum 2024: address from Richard Tibbels, EU Special Envoy to the Indo-Pacific (YouTube)
• EU Special Envoy to the Indo-Pacific Richard Tibbels in conversation with Professor Rory Medcalf (YouTube)
• The National Security Podcast: In conversation with the EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific, Richard Tibbels
• EU Indo-Pacific Strategy – EEAS
• EU-Indo Pacific Ministerial Forum - February 2024 – European Council
• EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the press conference – February 2024