Europe is a critical destination for the BRI, however, in the course of the spring of 2018, the EU ambassadors to China presented a report in which they argued that BRI is not sustainable economically, environmentally, socially, and financially. Similarly, China’s activity of acquiring ports in Belgium, the Netherland, Spain, Italy, and Greece has raised numerous concerns on the rising influence of China in Europe. Thus European Union released its “connectivity strategy” on September 19, 2018. It offered a different approach to the relationship between Europe and Asia relative to BRI.
The new strategy is based on four of the Strengths of the EU namely: its internal market as a basis for sustainable connectivity; its experiences creating networks across borders; its ability to build bilateral, regional, and international levels; and a comprehensive financial framework for mobilizing investment. Vice-president of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini argued that the EU approach to sustainable connectivity can be expanded specifically in Asia, and this will be done in a way that will be beneficial for Europe, Asia, and the entire planet.
