The EU must “act bold and confidently” to avoid being a victim of U.S. President Donald Trumps trade wars, to defend its “interests and values” against an increasingly assertive China, and to confront a continuing security threat from Russia, European Council President-elect Charles Michel told EU diplomats and foreign policy officials Thursday.
“I firmly believe the European Union should play a leading role on the global stage,” Michel, who is still prime minister of Belgium, said in his first major speech since being chosen by his fellow heads of state and government to lead the Council beginning December 1. “If we dont, others will,” he warned. “And they will do it in their own interests not ours.”
In the address, Michel noted that the Council has endorsed a strategic agenda calling for action to combat climate change, to settle a long-running dispute over migration and asylum policy, and to swiftly conclude agreement on a new long-term budget. But even as he outlined these and other tasks, he said: “Brexit is the most challenging issue we face right now.”
“Brexit is having a serious impact on the welfare of this and future generations — lets not forget that,” he said. “I sincerely hope that the United Kingdom will reach a conclusion soon because people and businesses both in Europe and the U.K. need a satisfactory resolution.”
Looking at top foreign policy issues, Michel focused his remarks about the north of Europe on Britain, and he left open the possibility of a damaging no-deal Brexit. Depending on how long he remains Belgian prime minister, Michel could have a say in whether the EU grants an extension of the October 31 Brexit deadline.
“How do we maintain a close relationship to the United Kingdom, our ally and neighbor?” Michel asked. “How will we repair the potential damage caused by a hard Brexit? The U.K. is now looking more and more toward the United States. But the proximity and the ties between the EU and U.K. will not disappear. We will always be neighbors.”
His comments on Brexit, focused on containing damage and maintaining future ties, represented something of a contrast with the current Council president, Donald Tusk, who consistently expresses his personal sadness and regret over the U.K.s departure.
In the speech, delivered in English, Michel portrayed the EU as a defender of multilateralism. He noted his meeting earlier this week with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and insisted that the EU should not fall victim to Trumps trade war with China, even as he said “the United States remains the European Unions strongest ally.”
“The competition between the United States and China is also defining todays international relations,” he said. “It was a topic we discussed with Mike Pompeo a few days ago. Europe should not be the victim of U.S.-China tensions. Europe has its own interests and should be building strong partnerships. But it is very difficult to combine forces when important partners are questioning todays multilateral system.”
Michel also urged the EU to stand its ground in the face of China, which he noted “is acting with increased self-confidence and assertiveness.”
“While China defends some traditional institutions, we know it also uses them to achieve its own strategic advances,” he said.
“China is also acting more assertively in places like Africa, and even in Europe,” Michel added. “So we need to engage them as our strategic partner. But we must do so robustly and without naivety, in defense of our interests and values.” He also said the EU must confront the security threat from Russia “on the eastern border and in the south of Europe.”
“Russia remains a neighbor too,” he said. “And we must deal with this reality.”
Michel opened his speech with a bit of self-deprecating humor about his status as acting prime minister since Belgiums coalition government collapsed last December, and about how Belgium holds the world record among developed nations for being unable to form a government (589 days in 2010-2011).
“As you all know, I am still the leader of a caretaker government, which I hope will take care of itself soon,” he said. “It is no secret, Belgium has a long tradition in speedy government formations and I still have three months to convince my colleagues not to break another world record.”
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