Europeans need to take Silk Road express on time

Europe has been slow to respond to China's Belt and Road Initiative, but this may be about to change. If both sides play their cards right, the European Union-China Summit on June 29 could kick-start a much needed conversation on synergies between China's ambitious vision of an interconnected world and Europe's large investment plan to boost jobs and growth.

The rewards of such cooperation could be enormous. Increased connectivity between China and the EU will increase bilateral trade, create business opportunities for European and Chinese enterprises, and boost employment, growth and development in both countries - and in countries along the proposed routes.

To start the dialogue, Europeans will have to take the long view. With the possibility of a Greek exit from the eurozone getting ever closer, United Kingdom's plans for a referendum on its EU membership becoming more strident, and growing discord over how to deal with the refugee crisis, European policymakers are thinking local, not global.