EU leaders have convened in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss a range of pressing issues, including the conflict in Ukraine, economic challenges posed by China, and the ongoing migration crisis. The summit, lacking a specific theme, will address multiple topics of concern to the European Council.
The summit kicked off on June 29 afternoon and was preceded by a lunch with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
The recent insurgency led by Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group, a mercenary force, against Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime, has taken center stage at the summit. European governments are still trying to comprehend this extraordinary act of defiance. Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, highlighted the unity among EU member states in contrast to the disunity demonstrated by the events in Russia.
"Russia's war in Ukraine is continuing relentlessly. Our unwavering unity stands in contrast to the disunity in Russia showcased by this weekend's events," Michel, wrote in his invitation letter.
The discussions surrounding Ukraine are expected to be complex and multifaceted. EU leaders explored a proposed €50bn financial support package for Kyiv, as well as a €500mn military aid package that is currently blocked by Hungary. Progress made in the accession process and the provision of long-term security guarantees for Ukraine will also be on the agenda. However, detailed discussions on the latter point will likely take place at the NATO summit in mid-July. Additionally, the unresolved question of utilizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction is expected to be addressed, although concerns about legal obstacles and potential financial instability remain.
The summit also focused on the EU's economic security strategy in relation to China. The European Commission recently presented a groundbreaking strategy that recommends enhanced oversight of technology exports with the potential to enhance the military capabilities of certain countries of concern, without explicitly naming China. This approach aligns with the notion of "de-risking" proposed by Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, and subsequently endorsed by the Group of Seven. EU diplomats acknowledge the need to engage with China.
"Europeans want to cooperate and engage with China, but from now on they will do so with a clear vision that is no longer naïve. (We're) no longer under the illusion that China is, in fact, going to become a market economy, that China has fair cooperation and competition practices," diplomats stated.
Migration was a prominent topic of discussion, particularly in terms of cooperation with non-EU countries to prevent the influx of asylum seekers. The European Commission recently approved a €100mn package for Tunisia to improve border management, with a memorandum of understanding set to follow. However, the specific measures encompassed by the "external dimension" of migration cooperation remain undecided. Some member states, including Austria and Denmark, are pushing for innovative solutions to reduce arrivals, but there are concerns that these measures may conflict with international law.
The summit occurred two weeks after a tragic shipwreck near Pylos, Greece, where a boat carrying between 400 and 750 migrants capsized, resulting in one of the deadliest incidents in recent Mediterranean history.
As the summit unfolds, EU leaders navigate these complex and critical issues, seeking to find common ground and formulate effective strategies to address the various challenges facing the European Union.
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