Czech Prime Minister: Defense Minister Cancelled China Trip Due to Lack of Procedure Notification

EU Commission President: EU's Trade Deficit with China Has Reached 1 Billion Euros Daily

EU Commission President: EU Will Offer Canada the Opportunity to Become Its First Associate Member

France Again Becomes the Largest Russian Gas Buyer Among EU Countries

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Czech Prime Minister Babiš said in a media interview on the 14th that the reason for Defense Minister Žuna cancelling his trip to China to attend the Beijing Xiangshan Forum was primarily due to failure to notify the government and himself according to procedure.

It is reported that Žuna had originally been scheduled to visit China in mid-September at China’s invitation to attend the Beijing Xiangshan Forum. However, prior to departure, he drew criticism from Czech Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and Chairman of the House of Deputies Committee on National Defense Josef Flek. Flek stated that if two high-level Czech visits to China occurred within a short time span—one led by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and another by the Defense Minister—“as a NATO member, I certainly would not like this situation,” adding directly that it posed security risks.

Previously, Czech Chamber of Deputies Speaker Kōmori Fūji was invited to lead a delegation on an official visit to China from July 20 to 24, marking the first formal high-level visit by a Czech official to China in seven years.

Kōmori emphasized that the Czech Republic should adopt a pragmatic approach. The Xiangshan Forum is one of the world’s largest annual international conferences on security and defense, with representatives from the United States, Western European countries, NATO, and the EU participating. He argued that since Western nations are also attending, sending a representative from the Czech Republic allows access to relevant information and does not imply “bending the knee” to China.

Regarding Žuna’s cancelled trip to China, Prime Minister Babiš said: “Of course, every minister must inform the government and me personally about their overseas trips. This time, however, the procedure was not followed.” He added that he had informed President Pavel about the situation and how both sides would handle it.

Žuna’s recent overseas visits have also sparked similar controversies. According to Czech media reports, when Žuna traveled to South Korea in early September to attend a security forum, Babiš was unaware of it and even temporarily lost contact with him. Now, Žuna’s planned trip to China has been cancelled again due to lack of notification to Babiš.

Kōmori stated that Žuna would not go to China and would instead remain in the country to participate in the final stage of negotiations on the national budget for the next fiscal year, with other defense officials representing the ministry at the Xiangshan Forum.

On the other hand, Babiš confirmed he is considering visiting China next year, primarily focusing on economic and trade activities. He noted that Czech allies such as the United States, France, and Italy maintain economic and trade relations with China. He said there was “no problem whatsoever” with this, reiterating that the government adheres to a pragmatic economic policy.

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At a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU’s trade deficit with China has reached 1 billion euros per day.

Von der Leyen said: “Our trade deficit with China currently stands at 1 billion euros daily. The situation has reached a critical point. Some say a second ‘China crisis’ is coming—but the crisis has already arrived. It affects the entire EU society and businesses, triggering deindustrialization in Europe’s industrial heartlands.”

She emphasized that Brussels is actively engaging in dialogue aimed at balancing trade relations with China.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a speech before the European Parliament on the current state of the EU, stating that the EU will offer Canada the opportunity to become its first associate member.

Von der Leyen pointed out: “I would like to discuss with you the possibility of opening our doors to Canada so that it could become the EU’s first associate member.”

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on September 13, amid deteriorating trade relations with the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pushing for deeper ties with the EU—and even proposed a bold idea to European leaders: allowing Canada to become an “associate member” of the EU.

Trudeau responded quickly. Speaking at the red carpet event of the Toronto International Film Festival that same day, he stated, “We have no intention of becoming a full EU member.” What Canada seeks—and will initiate negotiations with the EU on—is establishing a “unique alliance.” He stressed, “We share common values, similar priorities, and complementary strengths.”

A senior Canadian official later explained further to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that “associate member” was merely one of several possible status options discussed, not proposed by Canada. Canada places greater emphasis on the tangible benefits gained through enhanced cooperation rather than the specific title or label used.

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Data from Eurostat shows that France’s imports of Russian natural gas increased by 42% in July, enabling it to reclaim the top spot among EU countries in natural gas imports since May.

Gas imports from Russia rose by 1.1 times year-on-year, reaching 364.9 million euros. All of France’s imports from Russia were liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Hungary became the second-largest importer of Russian natural gas, importing only pipeline gas. Monthly imports declined by 22%, and year-on-year by 7%, falling to 171.4 million euros. Greece also imported only pipeline gas and ranked third, with imports totaling 132.4 million euros. Greece’s gas imports doubled within a month and increased by 20% annually.

In July, Bulgaria was also one of the major importers of Russian gas among EU countries. Year-on-year, its gas imports grew by 80%, although they decreased by 17% compared to June, reaching 118.8 million euros.

Belgium ranked first in Russian gas imports in June but dropped to fifth place in July, with imports decreasing by nearly two-thirds within a month to 91.6 million euros—a reduction of about 72% year-on-year.

Slovakia imported Russian natural gas worth 89.6 million euros via pipelines (a monthly decrease of 21% and a year-on-year increase of 162%). Spain imported LNG worth 77.9 million euros (a monthly decline of 61% and a year-on-year increase of 20%).

The Netherlands reduced its LNG imports by about 55% compared to June, to 37.8 million euros. Portugal imported LNG for the first time since February, totaling 34.4 million euros.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876481182624768/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.