The complex relationship with China is at the heart of a meeting to be held in Stockholm on Friday by the Union’s 27 foreign ministers, noting that the Swedish capital will host another meeting of the “Indo-Pacific region” on Saturday, which China will arrange not to attend.
As the level of tension mounts on Taiwan, divergences have emerged in recent weeks in the orientations of member states of the bloc, pushing Europe to seek to adopt a unified position in a complex but essential relationship with China.
“We need to recalibrate our position towards China,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said at the start of the meeting.
Borrell briefed ministers on a working document attached to an explanatory letter aimed at preparing for the EU summit scheduled for June 30.
The letter, seen by Agence France-Presse, underlines that “China has changed a lot. The rise of nationalism and ideology, the intensification of competition between the United States and China, influential in all political fields, and the fact that China is on the verge of transformation, are all subjects which require defining a coherent strategy.”
Borrell, who recently called for an “end to the asymmetry” in attitudes, said “EU member states need to be more united and act on a unified policy ‘if they want to be in a proportional position’ in the face of the rise of China”. like a superpower.”
Statements made last month by French President Emmanuel on the sidelines of his visit to China sparked criticism and protests from several European Union countries.
In an interview with the newspapers “Les Echos” and “Politico”, the French president warned of the danger of Europe being drawn into a conflict between Washington and Beijing, particularly in the Taiwanese file, in a position considered very distant. European consensus.
Another contentious issue within the European Union is also on the table, that of the ambiguity of the Chinese position on the war in Ukraine.
Beijing has issued no condemnation of Moscow, and some of its companies are helping Russia circumvent European sanctions.
And on Friday, Borrell said, “We can’t establish a normal relationship with China if it doesn’t use its strong influence over Russia to end this war.”
Brussels has angered Beijing by offering the 27 countries to restrict the export potential of eight Chinese companies accused of re-exporting goods to Russia with electronic components and sensitive technologies like semiconductors and integrated circuits. But Chinese Foreign Minister Chen Gang, on tour in Europe, warned in Berlin that Beijing would “respond” if such measures were adopted.
The latter is on tour in Europe this week, and is Friday in Norway.
In Stockholm, the German Foreign Minister confirmed on Friday that “the case is not related to economic sanctions, and the measures we are taking are not directed against countries”.
“No decision has been made yet,” Borrell said, adding, “The decision is up to member states and unanimity is needed.”
“We must find a way for the European Union to be a partner, not a client”, declared the representative of Poland and Minister for Foreign Affairs Pavel Jablonski, while calling on his Lithuanian counterpart, Gabrielos Landsbergis, to “avoid many mistakes we made with Russia”. .”
Saturday’s meeting between EU ministers and their counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region will focus on the security aspect with the tension in the Taiwan Strait, “but will in particular allow us to discuss partnerships in a constructive way”, indicated a senior European official.
“It is out of the question to seek an alignment of the participants against Russia during this meeting, and the status quo between China and Taiwan must be preserved to avoid an escalation,” he added.
Chinese affairs expert at the Jacques Delors Institute Elvire-Fabry stressed that the Europeans are not heading for a quarrel with Beijing.
“There is an intention to avoid confrontation with China, even if the conflicts increase,” she told AFP.
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