Building Bridges: Euro-Indo-Pacific Cooperation for resilient FIMI Strategies
Hague Centre for Strategic Studies
“At the bilateral level, there are multiple noticeable examples of cooperation. Among these, the EU-Japan Security and Defence Partnership of 2023 laid the groundwork for a closer security partnership, including in disinformation and information manipulation.21 Both sides share concerns over state-sponsored FIMI [Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference] activities and are exploring joint responses, though operational initiatives remain nascent. Similar nascent efforts have been undertaken with other actors in the region. For example, India and the EU have completed their eight India-EU Cyber Dialogue, a set of fora where issues concerning the cyberspace – including FIMI – are discussed by both parts. Although the cooperation is still at an early stage, there is potential for further expansion of such collaboration. In comparison, more structured cooperation frameworks have been established between the EU and South Korea. The 2023 ROK’s summit with the EU elevated security cooperation to include countering disinformation alongside cyber defence. Regular EU-ROK strategic dialogues are being set up, signalling closer coordination against FIMI. However, concrete joint programmes are still underdeveloped.”
“More broadly, the EU engages ASEAN on information integrity through capacity building and human rights frameworks. In January 2024, the ASEAN human rights body, AICHR, and the EU held a joint Disinformation and Misinformation Dialogue to share best practices, know-how and foster a common understanding. The EU supported programmes like the Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI) to facilitate such exchanges. At the same time, the consensus-based approach within the ASEAN and its varying political will with regards to FIMI could hinder any deeper and structural cooperation.”
Source: HCSS