While the United States and Russia are meeting to discuss Ukraine’s fate together, but without Europe, the European Union is struggling to impose itself. But above all, it is also struggling to display a common position.
In three weeks, the Winter Olympics in Beijing will open. Officials should go there or follow Washington, which has called for a diplomatic boycott. Last summer, the European Parliament called not to go there. This is what will undoubtedly do Lithuania whose relations with Beijing are at their worst, but elsewhere we hesitate, we procrastinate, especially since the unanimity of the members is needed to reach a common position.
An in-between that perfectly sums up the situation in Germany. Foreign Minister Environmentalist Annalena Baerbock will not visit Beijing but will not talk about boycott
On the question of the prohibition of the sale of products resulting from forced labor, to Xinjiang especially, Brussels and Berlin are in any case in tune. It is a draft European directive and theGermany has taken the lead since a complaint has been filed against several large companies accused of profiting from the forced labor of the Uyghurs. Report to Berlin of Julien Méchaussie.
A powerful Europe, a strategic sovereignty for Europe, the France would like to carry this great project during the French presidency of the Council of the European Union. But is it realistic? It is the European eye of Franceline Beretti.
And on the question of Olympic Games we will not forget to quote the UK, certainly outside Europe since Brexit, but whose positions are very aligned with those of the United States further complicate the game. In London, Marie Billon.
Finally, to complete this picture of a Europe which struggles to speak with one voice, we must of course speak of the Hungary. A country which fights with the European Union on questions of sovereignty, but which also courts China.
Chinese vaccines, construction of a railway line to Serbia by a Chinese group, and this project for a Fudan University in Budapest. But the idea is causing a lot of controversy. This is the report of Florence Labruyère.