BRUSSELS—The European Union has a “vital interest” in a secure and open maritime trade routes even as it expressed alarm at the escalating tension in the South China Sea.

“As far as maritime security is concerned, I strongly believe that the EU has a vital interest in a securre, open and clean maritime environment that allows the free passage of commerce and people,” said Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders at the opening Tuesday of the EU-Asean forum on regional integration here.‎

Viewed in Asia as a “soft power”,  Reynders said EU needs to assume a global role as a “force of stability.”‎