This Friday, European leaders will return to the debate on migration after failing to agree on the first day of the summit on the responsibility of all European countries to deal with requests for reception.
But central topics on the agenda for this Friday are a discussion about the economy and strategic issues in the relationship with China.
According to a working document consulted by the DN, the European Union pledges to continue working with China to “face global challenges”, but leaves a note on Beijing’s approach to climate issues.
The 27 hope that the Chinese side will take ambitious measures in “climate change, biodiversity, (…) health and pandemic preparedness, debt relief and humanitarian aid”.
Brussels and Beijing share an interest in seeking a “constructive and stable relationship” based on respect for the rules-based international order.
The 27 are expected to reaffirm the three axes of China’s approach: a partner, a competitor, and a systemic rival. The European Council is also expected to call on China to put pressure on Russia to “end the war of aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw from Ukrainian territory”.
In the economic field, European leaders will discuss measures to make the European Union more independent, such as access to raw materials.
In this context, the European Council should invite the Commission and the European Parliament to speed up the proposals for a Net-Zero Industry Act and a Critical Raw Materials Act “with a view to reaching an agreement before the end of the current legislative cycle,” reads an outline of the conclusions.
The 27 should also call for further work on “developing strategic technologies and strengthening value chains”.
Still on the dossier on economic issues, and in terms of health, the Council should “invite” the Commission to “propose an initiative of urgent measures to ensure sufficient production and availability of medicines”.
The proposal should also cover “the most critical components in Europe and diversify international supply chains”. European leaders “invite the co-legislators to continue and accelerate work on the proposed pharmaceutical reform”, including in terms of “access to medicines and an innovative and competitive pharmaceutical sector”.
The 27 will also return to the migration file, having failed to reach an agreement on the first day of the summit, unlike Poland and Hungary, on the migration pact, which makes all member states responsible for welcoming migrants. The European Union is expected to reaffirm its “commitment” to combat human trafficking.
Source: DN
