Brussels: EU leaders held a meeting for the first time since the withdrawal of messy West troops from Afghanistan and the loss of France from two billion dollars in agreement with Australia, the events they debated had explained European needs for more autonomy in defense.
Leaders will have a lot to discuss during dinner at Brdo Castle in Slovenia on Tuesday, night summit with leaders of neighboring Balkan countries.
Tense relationships of the 27-nation trade block with China and the increase in energy prices will also be on the agenda.
Informal talks are not expected to provide concrete results but are intended to prepare the land for the two-day EU summit scheduled for the end of this month in Brussels.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who for years Encouraging greater strategic autonomy for blocks, is expected to lead a dinner discussion about the aukus, the Indo-Pacific defense agreement between the US, Australia and the UK who led the contract to cancel the diesel-electric submarine contract French.
“Dinner will focus on the European Union role in international scenes – extensive programs – but more specifically in the light of recent developments in Afghanistan, the episode of Aukus, and more general, what is said about trans-Atlantic relationships,” an EU official involved in the preparation of the meeting.
The official spoke anonymously in accordance with the EU practice.
Australia obtained US nuclear-powered vessels, not a French submarine.
The steps of the Australian government have confused France, who seek clarification from Washington about its commitment to European allies.
Some UE member countries have expressed solidarity with France.
Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden have discussed the crack on the phone to facilitate tensions, and the State Secretary Antony Blinken is currently in Paris to try to restore the trust of the French government.
The head of the European Union Branch, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen spoke with Biden by telephone at night Summit.
Von Der Leyen said they discussed climate change, defense, trade, West Balkan and other geopolitical problems.
Macron now calls for the French European Union allies to use block shortages in Afghanistan and the fall of the aukus as a stepping stone to develop European defense capabilities while at the same time strengthening bonding with the US.
European Union Council President Charles Michel also recommends more strategic autonomy through the partnership between the European Union and NATO.
27 Leaders are also expected to reassess their relationship with China, themes that they have not discussed as a group for more than a year.
Since their last talks, the BLOC adopted a massive investment agreement with Beijing but was also approved by sanctions on Chinese officials on human rights violations in the remote area of ​​Xinjiang.
“After one year, in this global world, when we see tensions between the US and China, we will clarify our position,” another UE official said anonymously.
The meeting will take place with increased security because the opponent of the Covid-19 pass plans to hold a demonstration.