EU ends summit after 2-day talks

By Ata Ufuk Seker

BRUSSELS (AA) - EU Council President Donald Tusk and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker held a news conference following a two-day summit that focused on the economy, relations with China and fighting disinformation.

“Our aim is to focus on achieving a balanced relation, which ensures fair competition and equal market access,” said Tusk, highlighting priorities for a summit with China next month.

Tusk touched on the need for an open and assertive trade policy and prepares the EU for increasing global economic competition.

“We want to reinforce European capacity to deal with technology theft and cyber security threats, and we look forward to the Commission's recommendation on the security of 5G networks,” said Tusk.

Juncker said: “We have good relations [with China], not excellent,” adding that China is a competitor, partner and a rival.

“Trade between China and EU asymmetrical and this leads to imbalances,” he said, adding that China is a partner and rival of EU.

“Chinese markets are not sufficiently open to European products. Chinese markets exclude us to a great extent,” Juncker added.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar