Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs, commenting on French President Emmanuel Macron's call for greater "strategic autonomy" of the EU from the United States, emphasized that "transatlantic unity should be strengthened, not weakened."

The relevant statement was made by Edgars Rinkēvičs on Twitter on April 12.

"We must strengthen transatlantic unity, not weaken it. EU strategic autonomy must not undermine cooperation with the USA, Canada and UK, on the contrary, we will be stronger if we continue to invest in this most important relationship and weaker if undermine it. More unity, less autonomy," Rinkēvičs wrote.

French President Emmanuel Macron, after returning from a three-day state visit to China, said that Europe was not interested in escalating the crisis around Taiwan, that it should stick to a strategy in relations with the island, independent of both the United States and China, and generally called for "strategic autonomy" from the United States.

Advertisement

Politicians in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland criticized Macron's statements on Taiwan and European countries' dependence on the United States.

At the same time, President of the European Council Charles Michel suggested that the French leader's position was not isolated in the EU.

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here
You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter