04:29Sweden: 'Engaging and reducing dependencies' - Borrell maps out strategy for EU-China relations during FMs' meeting in Stockholm
The European Union Foreign Ministers discussed the future of the EU-China relationships during the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on Friday in Stockholm .
According to the ministers, the character of the relationship of the EU would involve "engaging and reducing dependencies" with China after terming it to be a "competitor" in economic growth and technological capacity.
"It is impossible to solve the most important global challenges without a strong engagement with China. China is burning more coal than the rest of the world together. So, forget about solving the climate change without a strong engagement with China", explained Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
On the issue of Taiwan, the EU ministers collectively agree on the "One China Policy" while terming it a "strategic challenge" and a "red line" for the EU.
"Taiwan matters. We are following [the One] China Policy, and we want de-escalation in the zone. What happens in Taiwan matters a lot to us", added Borrell.
"This is something that we feel very strongly about, and it has to do with sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU as a whole should be very careful in relation to this issue. This is a red line", added Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
Moreover, the minister reiterated stronger ties with the United States in the trio of EU-China-US relationships, in accordance with "strategic transatlantic resilience" between the US and EU.
"It is important that we coordinate with the US, as far as China is concerned. Of course, the EU has its own views and interests, but we are the same community of values and security as the US. Our transatlantic relationship is the first of all partnerships the EU has", said Bogdan Aurescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania.
EU foreign ministers gather for their informal meeting, known as the 'Gymnich' in Stockholm on Friday.
The talks are chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and hosted by Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom.
The two-day meeting is expected to focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and EU-China relations.
04:29The European Union Foreign Ministers discussed the future of the EU-China relationships during the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on Friday in Stockholm .
According to the ministers, the character of the relationship of the EU would involve "engaging and reducing dependencies" with China after terming it to be a "competitor" in economic growth and technological capacity.
"It is impossible to solve the most important global challenges without a strong engagement with China. China is burning more coal than the rest of the world together. So, forget about solving the climate change without a strong engagement with China", explained Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
On the issue of Taiwan, the EU ministers collectively agree on the "One China Policy" while terming it a "strategic challenge" and a "red line" for the EU.
"Taiwan matters. We are following [the One] China Policy, and we want de-escalation in the zone. What happens in Taiwan matters a lot to us", added Borrell.
"This is something that we feel very strongly about, and it has to do with sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU as a whole should be very careful in relation to this issue. This is a red line", added Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
Moreover, the minister reiterated stronger ties with the United States in the trio of EU-China-US relationships, in accordance with "strategic transatlantic resilience" between the US and EU.
"It is important that we coordinate with the US, as far as China is concerned. Of course, the EU has its own views and interests, but we are the same community of values and security as the US. Our transatlantic relationship is the first of all partnerships the EU has", said Bogdan Aurescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Romania.
EU foreign ministers gather for their informal meeting, known as the 'Gymnich' in Stockholm on Friday.
The talks are chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and hosted by Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom.
The two-day meeting is expected to focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and EU-China relations.