EU should seek synergies with Belt and Road

The world is at a critical moment and more constructive and persuasive intellectual contributions to jointly boost connectivity, instead of putting up barriers, are badly needed.

Michael Emerson, of the Brussels think tank Centre for European Policy Studies, is among those offering such contributions. He has recently published a policy paper proposing the European Union build a Wider European Economic Area by harmonizing its neighborhood policy.

The EU should certainly give Emerson's proposal, which covers all of Europe, serious consideration against the backdrop of the United Kingdom's talks on leaving the EU and its enlargement eastward coming to a standstill.