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Hearing from an EU source that the investment deal with China could be reached as early as tomorrow
A second EU diplomatic source:
"EU Ambassadors have received an update by the European Commission on the current state of play on the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. The Commission reported on recent positive developments in the negotiations with China ...
"EU Ambassadors have received an update by the European Commission on the current state of play on the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. The Commission reported on recent positive developments in the negotiations with China ...
... including on labour standards. EU Ambassadors broadly welcomed the latest progress in the EU-China talks. The Council Presidency concluded at the end of the meeting that no delegation had raised a stop sign and that the way for a political endorsement was thus cleared."
More updates to follow, but for now, from your correspondent: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3115588/all-eu-member-states-back-china-investment-deal-sources-say
Here’s @Trade_EU spokeswoman’s comment: “We cannot confirm anything at this stage; we will let you know in due time.” Strictly no comment before final conclusion.
Latest twist: Poland’s top EU envoy @PLPermRepEU publicly criticised Germany @EU2020DE for rushing thru the EU-China deal, telling PAP: “Suddenly the item was added to the agenda of the EU ambassadors’ meeting in Brussels. This is unheard of.” @SFischer_EU https://forsal.pl/swiat/unia-europejska/artykuly/8054443,umowa-ue-chiny-jest-juz-gotowa-polska-sprzeciwila-sie-przyspieszeniu-prac.html.amp?__twitter_impression=true
There’s no indication, however, that Poland raised a stop sign towards the end of the discussion, leading the Council presidency - Germany - to declare a unanimous political endorsement for the Commission to proceed to finalise the deal with China.
On forced labour, a diplomatic source told France’s @MagazineCapital that the EU had "obtained from China the language requested by the Europeans on Beijing’s respect of the two ILO conventions on forced labour”, referring to International Labour Org. https://www.capital.fr/economie-politique/investissements-lue-envisage-un-accord-avec-la-chine-1389569
