European Council President Charles Michel spoke to Belgian media responding to criticism of the costs of his travels abroad, commenting on how polluting they are.

“Using a private jet is always a last resort,” Michel told RTL. Regarding the cost of the trip to China, which is reported to be 460,000 euros, the President of the European Council replied that “for each of the trips, very precise information about the reasons (for selection) can be shared.”

He added that the mission to China was “absolutely necessary” and allowed “to revive the dialogue on human rights.” When asked if he could travel by airliner, Charles Michel replied, “No.”

According to newspaper De Standaard, the President of the European Council replied that he understood that the trip was “expensive” and understood the “delicacy regarding private flights”, adding that the relevant authorities had carefully considered the possibility of an alternative solution.

“I regret that the way it is presented detracts from the fundamental question: what place do people want for the EU in the world?” completed.

Asked about the difference in costs with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mr Michel notes that “the order of magnitude is similar”.

According to an RTL correspondent, the budget of 27 European Commissioners is 3.7 million against 2 million for the President of the European Council. Charles Michel replied that “we are comparing apples with pears”, and cited the Paris summit as an example: “It is the Council that organizes the summit. It’s not people from my office going to Paris, it’s mostly members of the Council watching a meeting of 27 heads of state.”

Source: RES-IPE