RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 The belt and road initiative and the cohesion of the European Union A1 García Weil, Augusto A2 Ediciones Universidad de Valladolid AB Both geographical ends of continental Eurasia, i.e. the European Union and China, are trying to spread their respective influence toward each other, as well as the rest of the Eurasian countries. However, the results differ, and therefore the asymmetries between both sides increase. Hence, the EU’s TRACECA is undertaking a great task, but only thirteen countries have joined the project, whereas China’s New Silk Road, officially named the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) holds one hundred and thirty one countries and thirty international organizations. China is developing a more comprehensive interconnectivity strategy, both politically, with the support of the 16+1 and the Southern Europe Initiatives, as well as financially, with the rise of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The result is that China is not only tightening its links with the countries along the routes toward the EU, but is also strengthening its influence over the European Union, especially Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as well as Southern Europe. The reason for these asymmetries is not only China’s strength, but also the lack of cohesion of the EU. In this article we analyze the relationships between BRI and the cohesion of the EU. SN 1132-7170 YR 2019 FD 2019 LK http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/40759 UL http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/40759 LA spa NO Revista de estudios europeos, 2019, N.74, pags.107-137 DS UVaDOC RD 29-mar-2024