Beijing Olympic diplomatic boycott: EU foreign ministers aim to carve out ‘common approach’
- Attempt to determine a united position expected to lead to a heated debate on Monday
- Foreign Affairs Council also expected to discuss the growing China-Lithuania trade dispute
The European Union’s 27 foreign ministers will try to carve out a common position on whether to join the US-led diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics on Monday, with sources predicting that the discussion could “get messy”.
The debate, proposed by the French and Dutch governments, will take place at the monthly Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, “in view of the decision taken by the Biden administration” to lead a diplomatic boycott of the Games, a senior EU official said.
The official added that while the bloc has taken “no decision” on whether to send any commissioners to Beijing in February, “a common European approach would be highly, highly recommended”.
However, with differing views on how the EU’s relationship with China should be managed, diplomats expect a heated debate.
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Australia, Britain, Canada join US diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights
Also on Monday’s agenda will be the escalating feud between China and Lithuania: Beijing has allegedly blocked some trade with the Baltic nation over its move to expand ties with Taiwan.