An opinion expressed by the EU Council chief Charles Michel claims that dealings with Beijing should be conservative to prevent a systemic confrontation. He added that the bloc should not antagonize China to its detriment because of its economic clout, which overtook the US last Friday.
EU Council Chief Speaks at the Brussels Summit
The EU council chief spoke in a press conference on the second day of the scheduled Brussels summit; he made it clear that EU leaders were talking about dealing with China in several ways, reported Anadolu.
He emphasized the importance of not being naive but balancing an approach that does not create unnecessary tension that will not benefit the European Union.
Further, the bloc should decide the appropriate methods to develop and form a partnership that builds ties with China. Michel said there is a lot of talk among European leaders about getting the group to have strategic autonomy. It implies having connections with the rest of the world rather than being confined to Europe or relying primarily on Washington, noted Yenisafak.
An Independent Europe
This means that Beijing will not be decoupled from Europe as a major partner in the future, not a competitor divorced by systemic confrontation, remarked EU Council Chief Charles Michel.
The address of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who delivered her thoughts to the press, is part of the program. She went on to say that China is consolidating its power in East Asia and expanding its reach to the world stage.
In February, Russia and China declared a no-limits partnership to the detriment of the US, which sought to keep them apart. It occurred before the special operation of Russia in Ukraine. She stated that a partnership between Putin and Xi would impact how China deals with Brussels.
It was emphasized that caution should be exercised because getting dependent could be a harmful component of any partnership.
EU Backs Up Kiev
The European Commission President hailed the unanimous consensus and wide support for the strategy presented at the conference to tackle the energy crisis, despite the reality that EU leaders couldn't even decide whether or not to impose a price cap for natural gas.
Von der Leyen said that the meeting's priority on the second day had been Ukraine and China, whereas the leaders acknowledged the energy shortage on the first day. She remembered their prior declaration that European leaders had consented to give €9 billion ($8.7 billion) in macro-financial support for Kyiv, citing Euro News.
Furthermore, the European Union has stated that it has given Ukraine €19 billion ($18.5 billion) since the beginning of the year.
Von der Leyen also remarked that Ukraine needs to be given €3-4 billion a month, which he explained as the basics. The money should come from the EU, the US, and financial institutions.
It was discussed that the EU owed Kyiv roughly €1.5 billion per month, which came from the bloc's coffers when an energy crisis looms, and inflation is high. The EU's budget will be stressed by €18 billion next year.
She added that Ukraine needs to be given money as the conflict has impacted it. Michel mentions maintaining good relations with Beijing so systemic confrontation will not block a partnership.
