Europe Debates | Should Lithuania expect more European solidarity vis-à-vis China?
This Oxford-style debate is part of ECFR’s Re:shape Global Europe project supported by Stiftung Mercator
Guests
Reinhard Bütikofer, MEP, German Green Party
Šarūnas Liekis, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
Chaired by
Janka Oertel, Director, Asia Programme, ECFR
China is ratcheting up economic pressure against Lithuania in reaction to leaving the 17+1 format and the opening of the Taiwan Representative Office in Vilnius last year.
Some say that this is a wake-up call and a moment when all EU countries should show solidarity with Lithuania – to demonstrate that the bloc will never accept the use of economic coercion against one of its members. Others argue that solidarity should go along with responsibility – and that the promise of solidarity should not encourage member states to be more reckless and offensive than they would normally be.
Who is right? What are the consequences that have to be drawn?
This event is part of ECFR’s Re:shape Global Europe project supported by Stiftung Mercator.