We want Europe to speak in one strong voice, says Lithuanian Ambassador

Julius Pranevicius said the pro-China 17+1 grouping within the Union had not proved beneficial

In May, Lithuania announced it would , which is seen as a pro-China grouping of countries within the EU. Denying that the decision came because of U.S. pressure, Lithuania’s Ambassador to India spoke to The Hindu about growing tensions between the European Union and China over a number of issues including sanctions and trade negotiations. We began this format [grouping with China], this kind of cooperation, nine years ago, but we discovered that the whole thing is not so beneficial, and so we started to gradually withdraw from that format. And, indeed, last month our minister officially announced that Lithuania no longer considers itself a ‘17 plus one’ format member and will not participate in this initiative. I would also say that we had expected that our trade would benefit a lot, that our exports would grow as a result of this grouping, and we didn't see it happening. But the main reason is our membership at the European Union. We want Europe to speak in one strong voice, and in that sense the ‘17 plus one’ format became a divisive forum. We would prefer to keep the dialogue as 27 members plus one, meaning that the entire European Union will engage as one with China on all aspects.