EU: Foreign ministers call for alternative to BRI

EU foreign ministers are increasing pressure on the European Commission to create an alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative. At a meeting with the Council of Ministers in Brussels today, diplomats will adopt a so-called conclusion outlining their plan. A senior EU diplomat stressed before the meeting that the EU was getting ready to push back against China’s growing influence. “Governments around the world are looking for alternatives and we can provide them,” the diplomat announced. The ministers’ conclusion should also be a “wake-up call” for the EU Commission to “accelerate” its efforts in on this matter, he said.