While the EU Heads of State or Government were due to discuss China and trade at their informal dinner in Brdo on 5 October, the agenda has been thrown off course in recent weeks.
At this meeting, on the eve of the EU-Western Balkans summit (see other news), they will finally discuss the role of the EU in the world, “in light of recent developments in Afghanistan, the AUKUS security partnership, and the evolution of our relations with China”, according to the words of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, in his letter of invitation to the Heads of State or Government.
While the EU has recently concretised its new relationship with the US (see EUROPE 12801/20) and published its new Indo-Pacific strategy (see EUROPE 12792/1), the AUKUS defence alliance between Australia, the US, and the UK has shaken up the European agenda on several fronts.
On 1 October, the European Commission, for example, postponed its next round of negotiations with Australia on their trade agreement (see EUROPE 12803/13). The inauguration of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council on 29 September had also been questioned in the European Commission, but was finally upheld.
The relationship with Washington is expected to be a major part of the discussions, according to a senior European official. Many voices have been raised in recent weeks among Member States and in the European Parliament, describing the US as an unreliable partner that does not share the same interests. This is yet another reversal of fortune, which has led to a desire on the part of leaders to address the European strategy vis-à-vis its partners.
Mr Michel believes that “we need to pursue a strategic course of action and increase our capacity to act autonomously to safeguard our interests, uphold our values and way of life, and help shape the global future”. This must be done through a stronger and more effective European Union. “Our objectives in these respects have not changed, but recent developments require us to reflect on how best to achieve them”, he added to the Heads of State or Government.
China
The topic of China’s relationship, which was already on the agenda, continued to be discussed. According to a second senior European official, a strategic debate at the highest level is needed, given the current relationship between the EU and China.
“China policy has not changed, and we don’t expect it to change during the dinner. But we want to see how we engage with China, what we do with the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment ratification that is pending”, added the senior EU official.
Although negotiations on the EU-China investment agreement were concluded at the end of December 2020, the state of relations between the two sides has deteriorated with the imposition of economic sanctions on both sides in 2021. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)