This post originally appeared on Pacific Forum and has since been republished with authority. Read the original below.
Despite having a long-standing appearance in Southeast Asia, France’s recent engagement in the region remains limited. France has been formalizing its Indo-Pacific method since 2018 in an effort to strengthen its regional property, establish its position as an Indo-Pacific strength, and establish new ties with Asia.
Yet, despite this technique, France’s success in Southeast Asia is also lacking, as it prioritizes the Indian Ocean due to its geographical interests, forming the basis of its Indo-Pacific foreign plan.
France’s interest is also divided according to handling continued conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the war in Gaza, and local European affairs, which threaten Europe’s security and need France’s leadership.
Southeast Asia’s difficult geopolitics, including sea disputes and competition among significant powers, are possible sources of conflict. Also, Southeast Asia’s increase as the most powerful area in the world prompts a reassessment of France’s geographical coverage.
The French administration’s plan report,” France’s Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific”, emphasizes a devotion to a second way in the region. Given that some Asian nations are less advanced in this area, it aims to work with all well-intentioned capabilities that are committed to non-traditional surveillance, particularly in terms of addressing climate change.
Southeast Asia is very vulnerable to climate change, facing problems like rising sea levels, heat waves, storms, floods and extreme weather events. As a head in the fight against climate change, France may draw on its expertise, funding, and study to work with Southeast Asian nations in this crucial field.
Given Vietnam’s significant contribution to world rice exports, this focus aligns with ASEAN’s existing needs, as evidenced by recent droughts in southern Vietnam that have affected rice cultivation.
But, France’s approach to Southeast Asia faces restrictions compared to countries like Japan, the US and China, as it cannot provide large-scale equipment leasing or military technology gifts.
France can use ASEAN’s advantages in non-traditional security, while another big powers concentrate on other areas. This method is well-suited to ASEAN’s present interests, especially in addressing climate change and other pressing local issues.
Regarding political engagement, France is actively involved in supporting ASEAN-led mechanisms and promoting ASEAN centrality. France became the first member of the European Union to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia ( TAC ) in 2007.
Additionally, France has accredited its Ambassadors to ASEAN since 2009, indicating its commitment to engaging with ASEAN. A workshop on regional security, titled” Navigating through Concurrent Security Challenges: How to Keep ASEAN in the Driver’s Seat,” was sponsored by France in December 2023.
This workshop aimed to address challenges and provide support to ASEAN-led mechanisms and ASEAN centrality, showcasing France’s dedication to strengthening ASEAN’s role in regional security.
Both France’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific ( AOIP ) share common points, as they seek partnerships with like-minded countries based on a shared vision of challenges and solutions.
Both emphasize keeping a neutral position and refraining from taking sides, which aids in the establishing of trust between France and ASEAN. The 2020 ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute survey on Southeast Asia’s state ranked the EU as ASEAN’s second most trusted partner, after Japan.
Given that it is a significant member of the EU, France has a significant advantage in fostering trust and cooperation with ASEAN.
France’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing neutrality and a third-path approach, benefits ASEAN by promoting multilateralism and reducing concerns about relationships with other major powers like China, the US and Japan.
From ASEAN’s perspective, France’s strategy is seen as a major power supporting ASEAN-led institutions and strengthening multilateralism and balance in the region. ASEAN wo n’t have to deal with pressure to take sides because France does n’t participate in alliances like the Quad and AUKUS.
Being able to support major powers that maintain a neutral stance given ASEAN’s relatively weak voice in comparison to major powers, having support from major powers that maintain a neutral stance is essential for bolstering ASEAN’s multilateral efforts. For France, this position allows it to exert more influence in ASEAN’s areas of strength.
France can use its favorable standing to strengthen its influence within ASEAN and promote regional stability and cooperation by adhering to ASEAN’s principles and objectives.
France, a strategic partner for ASEAN?
Among ASEAN countries, France has different levels of cooperation.
Although many Southeast Asian nations have historically sourced their weapons from Russia, the Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions have caused ASEAN to diversify its sources.
France, now the world’s second-largest arms exporter overtaking Russia, holds 11 % of the global arms market and has seized this opportunity to sell arms to ASEAN countries.
For instance, France sold two Scorpene submarines to Indonesia on April 3, 2024, and French weapons company Nexter Defence System is working closely with the Indonesian government to create a domestic weapons industry.
Furthermore, on December 9, 2023, France and Malaysia reinforced their strategic partnership in defense, underscoring ASEAN’s role and France’s role as an observer in the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting Plus ( ADMM Plus ).
Additionally, Singapore and France aim to enhance ties through a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership ( CSP) by 2025. The Philippines and France made a commitment to strengthen defense cooperation and pursue an agreement that would allow them to send troops to their respective territories on December 2, 2023.
France has actually deployed patrol ships in the South China Sea several times to demonstrate its commitment to upholding maritime security in the area.
While France maintains good relations with Indochina, particularly through economic and Francophone activities, the relationship remains relatively limited. This is especially true for Vietnam, which has been hailed as a crucial partner for France in Southeast Asia.
France and Vietnam celebrated their strategic partnership’s tenth anniversary and relationship’s fiftyth anniversary in 2023. Despite historical difficulties, this relationship has the potential to become a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, similar to the progress made in the US-Vietnam relationship.
However, this process requires significant efforts from both countries. It is interesting that, despite significant official visits between France and Vietnam, the French president has not traveled to Vietnam during significant occasions, such as the 50th anniversary of their relationship.
In contrast, other European nations, including the Netherlands and Eastern European countries, who are all EU members, have sent their presidents to Vietnam, most recently in 2023, establishing crucial diplomatic relations that Vietnam established in 1973.
Efforts must continue to leverage Vietnam’s strengths in sectors such as textiles, footwear, agriculture and aquaculture within the framework of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement ( EVFTA ) to strengthen economic ties.
For strengthening bilateral relations, France and Vietnam must collaborate in key strategic areas. This includes encouraging French investments that are in line with Vietnam’s foreign investment strategy and promoting partnerships in high technology and industry.
Both countries recognize the importance of cooperation in sustainable development, ecological transition, and combating climate change, necessitating joint efforts on an international scale.
To promote environmentally sustainable practices, this partnership should include infrastructure development, energy transition projects, and sustainable transportation initiatives. Regarding arms sales, although Vietnam has shown interest in French weaponry, the high cost has posed challenges.
Despite the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Vietnam’s military cooperation with Russia continues successfully. By enhancing Vietnam’s ability to develop its own weapons, France might consider doing so in the future in a manner akin to what it intends to do for Indonesia. This approach is in line with Vietnam’s current requirements and could lead to a stronger defense cooperation between France and Vietnam.
France and ASEAN have a lot of potential for cooperation, and both parties have agreed on priorities and priorities. However, to fully realize this potential, France must translate its vision into practical actions and initiatives.
By doing so, France can strengthen its partnership with ASEAN and significantly contribute to regional stability, development, and cooperation.
National ChengChi University’s Tran Thi Mong Tuyen is a professor.
First published by Diplomatie Magazine N. 127 in France, this article was originally written in French.