The report, adopted on Thursday with 371 votes in favour, 146 against and 80 abstentions, acknowledges the importance of the flagship Global Gateway Initiative for the EU’s geostrategic ambitions. Launched in December 2021 as a €300 billion infrastructure initiative, for it to achieve its ambitions MEPs believe the Commission must promote the Global Gateway effectively and rapidly as a sustainable alternative to aggressive initiatives by rivals such as China and Russia.

They are concerned by reports that a number of projects are being implemented by Chinese companies in direct violation of the initiative’s objective of presenting an alternative to the Belt and Road Initiative, and are asking for an immediate investigation into the involvement of all Chinese companies in the Global Gateway.

Transparency and democratic scrutiny

MEPs deplore the lack of clarity and transparency regarding the initiative’s funding track record and how its topline funding figure was reached….