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Three major challenges: current EU unity is easier said than done

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Original Title: Three Challenges At present, EU unity is easier said than done

The leaders of the 27 EU countries held the last summit of this year on the 16th, and the original one-day agenda lasted until the early morning of the 17th. Participants discussed a number of topics. Among them, the spread and prevention of the mutant new crown virus Omi Keron strain, the frustration of the green economy transition caused by high energy prices, and the tensions in the border areas between Russia and Ukraine were the three main points of the meeting.

Analysts pointed out that in the face of this series of challenges, there are obvious differences among EU countries. Although the summit emphasized the unity within the EU, judging from the results of the summit, it is not easy to bridge the differences.

Mutated virus tests unity

It has been less than a month since the Omi Keron strain was confirmed to have flowed into Europe, and it has spread rapidly. With the new wave of epidemics, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Greece and other countries have announced that foreign entrants must issue a negative virus test certificate, even if they have the new crown pass recognized by the European Union.

Such an approach has caused multiple concerns within the EU: the fact that the additional border checkpoints may cause Europe to return to the chaos at the beginning of the outbreak last year; the validity of the EU’s new crown pass was denied; Italy only officially notified the EU a few days after the implementation of the new measures. It has an impact on the EU’s unified and coordinated fight against the epidemic.

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At this summit, EU leaders reiterated the importance of unity, believing that epidemic prevention decisions should not interfere with the normal operation of the EU’s internal market and should not undermine the freedom of movement of people among EU member states. Regarding the validity of the new crown pass, countries have expressed that they will take a unified step and the European Commission will formulate new usage methods.

The summit also focused on the issue of the new crown vaccine‘s defense against Omi Keron strain, emphasizing that vaccinating everyone and advancing intensified vaccination is essential for the next step of epidemic prevention. However, the vaccination process of EU countries is very different. In some countries, the vaccination rate is at or close to 90%, but there are 9 EU countries with less than 60% vaccination rate. Some analysts believe that if the people’s willingness to vaccinate in Central and Eastern European countries is not helped as soon as possible, the “immunization gap” within the EU will further widen.

The energy issue is unresolved

Since the beginning of this year, European energy prices, especially natural gas prices, have risen sharply, causing people to worry about the prospects of European economic recovery and questioning the EU’s energy transition and climate policy.

The European Commission proposed a package plan for addressing climate change this year, aiming to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, due to the different energy structures of the EU member states and the different pace and intensity of the energy transition, differences among countries continue to appear.

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At this summit, EU countries fought fiercely on energy issues. Poland and the Czech Republic accused the EU’s carbon emissions trading system for boosting the high prices of European energy, and demanded that the EU carry out more in-depth reforms.

In addition, how to deal with nuclear energy is also a big glue point in the discussion of the energy transition at this summit. Countries such as Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg do not support the vigorous development of nuclear energy, but France believes that nuclear energy is the basis for helping them achieve a green energy transition.

In the end, the parties failed to reach a unified opinion on the energy issue. The statement released after the meeting did not mention anything about it. The topic will be discussed again at the next summit. European Council President Michel admitted after the meeting that leaders were aware of differences of opinion at the negotiating table and could not reach agreement on some issues.

Diversity in attitude towards Russia is hard to hide

The relationship between the EU and Russia has continued to be tense recently over the Ukraine issue. Russia and Ukraine have deployed a large number of military personnel and equipment in the border areas of the two countries. The United States, Ukraine and some EU countries have claimed that Russia has the potential to “invade” Ukraine. The Russian side denied it and emphasized that NATO activities threaten Russia’s border security and that Russia has the right to mobilize troops within its borders to defend its territory.

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The statement issued by the EU summit on the 16th stated that if Russia “further invades Ukraine”, it will bear “huge consequences” and even face more sanctions. But the statement did not mention the content and form of sanctions. Some media believe that EU sanctions may include delaying the commissioning of the “Beixi-2” natural gas pipeline project, disconnecting the SWIFT payment system from Russia, restricting the export of certain technologies to Russia, and exporting certain technologies to Russia. Private banks impose sanctions, etc.

While issuing the threat of sanctions, the EU also expressed its willingness to have dialogue with Russia on the Uzbek issue. The EU leaders said that the EU “encourages diplomatic efforts and supports the full implementation of the Minsk Agreement through the’Normandy model’ (that is, the four-party talks between France, Germany, Ukraine, and Russia).”

Analysts pointed out that the current EU’s relatively cautious attitude on the issue of sanctions against Russia is due to concerns that the sanctions on the “Beixi-2” project or the Russian financial system will affect the EU’s own energy security and financial stability.

At the same time, EU countries have different attitudes towards Russia. Due to historical factors and geographical proximity to Russia, some Central and Eastern European countries are more resistant to Russia; many Western European countries have cooperation with Russia in energy and other aspects, and their attitudes towards Russia are relatively rational. Some media pointed out that behind the EU’s remarks on Russia are the continuing differences among the 27 member states on actions against Russia. (Reporter Li Jizhi, Kang Yilinhao)

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