The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced on Monday 13 July that European Foreign Ministers had agreed to develop a coordinated European “response” to the “truly draconian” imposition of the National Security Act in Hong Kong (see EUROPE 12517/3).
This law “changes the rules, will require a revision of our approach and will clearly have an impact on our relationship” with China, he warned the press after the EU Council meeting.
“We will pursue two policies: one towards Hong Kong and one towards China. We will treat Hong Kong as if it were no longer part of China”, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the European Parliament.
Mr Borrell said that the EU’s coordinated approach, which will constitute a “comprehensive European response”, would involve both EU and Member State level action. Asked about these measures, he mentioned, inter alia, the possibility of closer control of the export of certain technologies to Hong Kong, decisions on extradition agreements between certain Member States and the city-state, travel advice, increased scholarships for Hong Kong students or visa or migration arrangements for Hong Kong nationals.
According to the High Representative, some Member States are expected to announce the first measures “within the next few days”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)