cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/2547945
“The Commission shall not meet with any lobby groups and/or trade associations that represent Huawei’s interests and/or speak on its behalf,” stated the Commission’s spokesperson service. This measure builds on an earlier move from March, when the Commission prohibited any “contact and meetings” with Huawei officials. That decision came shortly after Belgian authorities launched a formal probe into Huawei’s alleged involvement in corruption in Brussels.
In its latest update, the Commission clarified that the ban has now been extended to include “any intermediaries acting on Huawei’s behalf who would engage in meetings and other contacts with Commission staff to advance the interests of the company.”
The investigation by Belgian prosecutors has so far led to criminal charges against at least eight individuals, among them one of Huawei’s top executives in Europe. The charges include active corruption, money laundering, and involvement in a criminal organization, and follow a coordinated series of police raids across Belgium, France, and Portugal.
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CERRE, a think tank that lists Huawei as a member, previously indicated the matter was “under close review,” but declined to offer further comment.
At the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO), Huawei remains a listed member, though ECSO has confirmed that it is conducting a review of Huawei’s membership status. The outcome of this review is expected to be announced on April 29.
Other industry associations where Huawei continues to be listed as a member—including Eurelectric, the European Association for Storage of Energy, Bruegel, FTTH Council Europe, and ECTA—did not respond to requests for comment or offer updates on their current relationships with the company.
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