Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Germany's Baerbock says common European response needed on Beijing Olympics

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a joint news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (not seen) after a meeting at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Thursday that Europe needed to find a common response on the issue of a diplomatic boycott of February's Winter Olympics in Beijing.

She said the case of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, whose whereabouts have become a matter of international concern following her allegations of being sexually assaulted, need to be pursued.

"When a woman raises such a reproach, it needs to be heard in an international context. We need to pursue the case and come to a common answer," said Baerbock in Paris during her first trip abroad as foreign minister.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a joint news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (not seen) after a meeting at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool

The U.S. initiated the boycott earlier this week over alleged human rights abuses in China.

Baerbock also reiterated that Ukraine's borders should not be violated by Russia, which has put troops near the border.

"The territorial integrity of Ukraine is not negotiable," said Baerbock.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock attends a joint news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (not seen) after a meeting at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, France, December 9, 2021. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool

(Reporting by Alexander Ratz and Miranda Murray; Editing by Maria Sheahan)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.