For the first time in eleven years a US president attends a European summit

EU reaches out to Turkey and US in a front against Russia and China

photo_camera PHOTO/REUTERS - The President of the European Council, Charles Michel

China and Russia staged their common alliance against the West during a meeting in the southern city of Guilin. Both the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, and the head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yi, emphasised the good relations between the two countries, and rejected interference by the United States and the European Union in what they consider to be "internal affairs".

It was the turn of the Western bloc to show the alliance that exists between the United States and the European Union, and for the first time in eleven years the occupant of the White House took part in a European summit. Joe Biden wanted to be present at the meeting of EU leaders. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, during a press conference after the meeting, explained that in the conversation with Biden they discussed the different areas of cooperation, such as the coronavirus pandemic and "the need to guarantee access to vaccines" and the supply chain.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that there were many things Europeans were looking forward to working on with their old partner. "There is a great deal of common ground that we want to cultivate and also want to take up again," she said. "Whether it's cooperation on climate, putting aside trade disputes or the relationship with China, with Russia or with Turkey."

When it came to explaining whether ties with the US could threaten German economic interests in China, Merkel insisted on her desire for the EU to be perceived as an independent and sovereign actor shaping its own policy towards the Asian giant. "It is not just about economic interests, but also about living up to what we also call European sovereignty," she stressed. "That means that we have a common basis of values with the United States, of course, which is absolutely unquestionable and clear, but we also have our own interests on the other side".

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For his part, Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, said on behalf of the 27 member states that "the transatlantic relationship is a priority for the Union". A relationship that had become quite turbulent under former US President Donald Trump, and which is expected to be put back on track with the entry into the White House of Joe Biden.

Tentative rapprochement with Turkey

In addition to relations with the United States, relations with another of the EU's most problematic partners, Turkey, were also discussed during this latest summit. EU leaders have agreed to cooperate with the Eurasian country in areas such as the economy, climate and immigration.

Relations between Turkey and the EU have been strained in recent months, particularly over gas exploration in eastern Mediterranean waters. Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on violence against women has also made relations with the EU more difficult.

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But the EU-27 are also aware that Ankara can be a crucial ally in the face of rising tensions with China and Russia. European leaders note that "as long as the current de-escalation dynamic is maintained', the EU will be willing to engage with Turkey "in a more progressive and proportionate manner" with the aim of "enhancing cooperation in a number of areas of common interest".

A report by the Commission itself calls for "the modernisation of the customs union to ensure its effective application to all member states and in parallel we invite the Commission to start discussions with Turkey to address current difficulties in its implementation". They also commit to dialogue on other issues such as public health, climate and counter-terrorism.

The EU is aware of its difficult relationship with Turkey and its potential setbacks, but is also pragmatic in assessing the current political climate, where the Eurasian country can play a decisive role in alliance-building.

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