EU Foreign Chief: "We Will Not Take Sides Between US and China... Will Follow the 'European Path'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The European Union (EU) foreign policy chief stated that amid escalating disputes between the United States and China, the EU will not side with either party.

On the 15th (local time), according to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who oversees the EU's external policies, conveyed this message through a post on his official website the day before.

He said, "The conflict between the United States and China is intensifying, and the pressure to take sides is increasing," but added, "However, the EU will not succumb to adversity and will follow our own path (My Way)."

He also emphasized cooperation and multilateralism. Representative Borrell stated, "The relationship between Europe and the United States is important, but we do not always agree with unilateral decisions," and added, "Europe's path is to uphold cooperation and multilateralism."

Borrell's remarks came ahead of a video conference on the 15th between U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries. Secretary Pompeo is likely to request the 27 EU countries to join the anti-China front.

Borrell also toned down the stance regarding last year's EU Commission report that defined China as a 'systemic rival.'

He said, "The relationship between the EU and China is inevitably complex and multifaceted," and added, "The emphasis is more on 'rival' than 'systemic' in 'systemic rival,' which does not mean engaging in systemic competition."

He continued, "As China's status in international politics has risen, we should focus on positive agendas," adding, "There are many areas where both sides can cooperate, such as responding to COVID-19 and addressing climate change."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.