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BRUSSELS (AP) – European Union leaders meet for the first time since the disorderly withdrawal of Western troops from Afghanistan and France’s loss of a multibillion-dollar submarine deal with Australia , events which, according to them, revealed Europe’s need for more autonomy in the field of defense.
The leaders will have many discussions during their dinner at Brdo Castle in Slovenia on Tuesday, on the eve of a summit with leaders from neighboring Balkan countries. The 27-nation trade bloc’s strained relations with China and rising energy prices will also be on the agenda.
The informal talks are unlikely to yield concrete results but aim to set the stage for a two-day EU summit scheduled for later this month in Brussels.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who has advocated for years for greater strategic autonomy for the bloc, is expected to lead the dinner debate on AUKUS, the Indo-Pacific defense agreement between the United States, Australia and Great Britain. Brittany, which led Australia to cancel the contract for French diesel-electric submarines.
“The dinner will focus on the role of the European Union on the international stage – a broad program – but more specifically in light of recent developments in Afghanistan, the AUKUS episode, and more generally, what this says about the transatlantic relationship . “said an EU official involved in the preparations for the meeting. The official spoke anonymously in accordance with EU practice.
Australia acquires American nuclear-powered ships in place of French submarines. The Australian government’s decision has infuriated France, which is asking Washington for clarification on its commitment to its European allies. Several EU member countries have expressed their solidarity with France.
Macron and US President Joe Biden discussed the split over the phone to ease tensions, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken is currently in Paris trying to restore confidence in the French government.
EU Chief Executive, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, spoke by phone with Biden on the eve of the summit. Von der Leyen said they discussed climate change, defense, trade, the Western Balkans and other geopolitical issues.
Macron now calls on France’s allies to use the bloc’s shortcomings in Afghanistan and the fallout from AUKUS as a springboard to develop European defense capabilities while strengthening ties with the United States
EU Council President Charles Michel also advocates greater strategic autonomy through a partnership between the European Union and NATO.
The 27 leaders are also expected to reassess their relationship with China, a topic they haven’t discussed as a group for over a year. Since their last talks, the bloc has adopted a massive investment deal with Beijing, but also approved sanctions against Chinese officials for human rights violations in the far west region of Xinjiang.
“After a year, in this globalized world, when we see tensions between the United States and China, we will clarify our position,” said another EU official who spoke anonymously.
The meeting is expected to take place with heightened security as opponents of the COVID-19 passes plan to hold protests.
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