Next EU diplomat announces 'harder' China policy

Written response to personnel hearing… “Use maximum use of sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.”

Kaya Callas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Affairs

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(Brussels = Yonhap News) Correspondent Bitna Jeong = The European Union’s (EU) nominee for the next foreign affairs chief predicted a tougher foreign policy toward China upon taking office.

According to EU media outlet Uraktiv, Kaya Callas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, said in her response to the confirmation hearing sent to the European Parliament on the 23rd (local time), “When establishing relations with China, protecting the EU’s geopolitical and economic security is my top priority.” “He said.

Callas pointed out that “the most urgent challenge is the structural imbalance between the EU and China resulting from China’s non-market policies and practices, as well as China’s support for Russia and unfair competition.”

“We will spare no effort in protecting the values and interests of the EU against systemic rivals,” he said.

Yuraktiv explained that this is a stronger tone compared to his predecessor, Josep Borrell, the current High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, who defined relations with China as ‘partners in cooperation, economic rivals, and systemic rivals’.

Nominee Callas said, “The issues of geopolitics and geoeconomics are related, and our response should be the same,” and said he would establish a ‘new foreign economic policy’ after discussions with other executive committee members. To this end, the government also announced plans to strengthen strategic partnerships with third countries that share the same values and ideas.

Callas also argued that “actors such as Russia, Iran, North Korea and, to some extent, China, aim to weaponize interdependence and exploit the openness of our societies.”

“We must be prepared,” he suggested, “making the most of our tools, from rapid analysis of threats to new sanctions programs against hybrid threats.”

Kalas, who served as Prime Minister of Estonia, is a representative anti-Russia hardliner in Europe who has taken the lead in supporting Ukraine and imposing economic sanctions on Russia after the outbreak of the Ukraine war, and the Russian government even placed him on its wanted list.

He was appointed as the next high representative for foreign affairs and security through prior agreement between the leaders of 27 countries in accordance with EU regulations last June. He will concurrently hold the position of senior vice-chairman of the European Commission, which is equivalent to the Council of Ministers.

The EU Commission consists of a total of 27 members, including the Commission President, 6 senior vice-presidents, and 20 Commission members. Excluding Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has been confirmed for reappointment, 26 members are scheduled for personnel hearings from the 4th to the 12th of next month. .

If the European Parliament passes the final approval vote after the hearing, the launch of the ‘Von der Leyen 2nd term’ will be confirmed.

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2024/10/24 18:54 Sent