Brussels –The European Union needs to do more for its ports, putting them back at the center of its political agenda by dedicating a dedicated European summit. This was demanded by the commissione Trasporti of the European Parliament, in the resolution passed unanimously today (Dec. 7) and drawing attention to an element considered crucial to the EU’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy, undermined a too widespread and too risky Chinese presence that it wants to circumscribe.
The point of departure is the value of the EU’s seaports, which “play a crucial role in the economy, providing jobs, facilitating foreign trade, energy transition and decarbonization,” the text points out. However, this crucial role today appears to be played more by Beijing and the port operators present on European soil and directly linked with the Chinese government. Not surprisingly, MEPs recall the warnings from intelligence agencies about the risk associated with the economic presence of non-EU countries in European ports . There is already the question of economic dependence, espionage and even sabotage work.
From the parliamentary committee comes a call for limiting foreign influence in EU ports. For this, the European Commission and national governments should carry out “urgently” a risk assessment of the involvement of China and other non-EU countries in maritime infrastructure.
