European Union (EU) relations with China and Belarus are to be discussed on Friday on the second day of an informal meeting of foreign ministers in the French city of Brest.

The first day focused on increased security cooperation in the European Union, in talks overshadowed by mounting tensions between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

Diplomatic activity throughout the week aimed at easing the tensions ended on Thursday with no major breakthroughs.

Instead, diplomats at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) gave a stark warning of a possible military escalation.

EU foreign ministers are also to discuss the current border situation with Belarus.

Thousands of people from war-torn regions have been stranded in the region for some months hoping to enter the EU.

The EU has accused Minsk of manufacturing the situation by luring migrants to the region in an attempt to destabilize the bloc in retaliation for Western sanctions over political repression in Belarus.

Minsk refutes this, however.

Recent economic and political pressure on Lithuania is also to be discussed as a diplomatic row rumbles on with Beijing.

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In October, China reacted angrily to the Baltic EU member state’s attempts to develop closer ties with Taiwan and in December excluded Lithuania from its customs system. Vilnius has appealed to the EU for support.

EU foreign ministers are also to explore opportunities to strengthen strategic ties between the Africa Union and the EU ahead of a joint summit in February.