Displaying items by tag: EU

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has sharply criticised Hungary's foreign policies, accusing Viktor Orban of endangering European security. In a speech to the European parliament, she took aim at Hungary's reluctance to support Ukraine in its war with Russia and its growing relationships with Russia and China. She said that Orban's government is weakening EU unity by easing visa restrictions for Russians and Belarusians, and allowing Chinese police to operate in Hungary. Von der Leyen also stressed the dangers of Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian energy and its failure to align with EU energy security measures. Orban, in response, defended his policies, calling for a ceasefire in Ukraine and rejecting any comparison between Ukraine's current situation and Hungary’s 1956 uprising against Soviet rule.

Sir Keir Starmer made his first visit to Brussels this week, aiming to rebuild UK-EU relations post-Brexit. His visit focused on strengthening cooperation in defence, security, energy, climate change, and tackling irregular migration. While Starmer’s message of 'sensible leadership' was welcomed, the EU remains cautious, particularly regarding Labour’s call to reduce trade barriers. The EU reminded Starmer that these barriers stem from the UK’s decision to leave the single market and customs union, which he reaffirmed will not be renegotiated. Discussions on migration found some agreement, particularly regarding stopping people-smuggling gangs. However, European leaders remain divided on migration policy, with some calling for the UK to open more legal pathways for asylum-seekers. Other negotiations include easing trade restrictions on UK exports and a proposed youth mobility scheme. The EU wants the UK to comply with existing agreements before opening new negotiations, signalling that while cooperation may improve, trade-offs will be required on both sides.

Brexit has quietly resurfaced at the Labour Party conference, with Keir Starmer’s 'Brexit reset' plans taking centre stage. EU officials, alongside representatives from key European nations like Germany and France, have attended to explore potential new security and trade agreements. Central to these discussions is the EU’s push for a youth mobility scheme, allowing Europeans under 30 to live and work in the UK for up to four years. While Starmer has advocated stricter immigration controls, the EU is reportedly willing to compromise, offering shorter stays of two to three years to facilitate negotiations. Labour’s manifesto included proposals for a security and defence pact, a veterinary agreement to ease food and farming trade, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications. However, concerns remain over whether Labour has clearly defined objectives for the negotiations. The talks come amid broader tensions, with Labour’s grassroots pro-EU movement pushing for more engagement with Europe.

Sir Keir Starmer has emphasised that his government's intention to improve relations with the EU does not equate to reversing Brexit. Speaking alongside German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Starmer highlighted the desire for a closer relationship with Europe, focusing on trade, defence, and economic growth, while ruling out rejoining the single market or customs union. The discussions also included plans for a treaty aimed at boosting cooperation between the UK and Germany, particularly in areas such as energy security and science. While the EU has proposed a youth mobility scheme to allow young people to study and work across borders, Starmer clarified that the UK has no plans to adopt such a scheme but is open to enhancing educational and cultural exchanges. The discussions were welcomed by some as a step towards mending UK-EU relations, while others expressed concerns or called for more ambitious efforts to rebuild ties with Europe.

Diplomats have said that EU and South American negotiators will meet in Brasilia on 4 September for in-person talks, aiming to finalise the EU-Mercosur trade deal. This agreement, two decades in the making, has faced numerous delays due to a number of concerns expressed by each side. An EU diplomat expressed optimism about concluding the deal by the end of the year. The March visit to South America of Emmanuel Macron, who criticised the deal, paused negotiations until after the EU elections in June. Key issues remain, including European protection of food product names and Brazilian opposition to an EU anti-deforestation law. Farmers in France, Germany, and Belgium have protested against competition from cheaper South American imports. Both EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are committed to concluding the agreement.

Ahead of the EU and UK elections, false claims about immigration are spreading, particularly on social media. One Facebook post says that nearly 97% of Spain’s minimum basic income recipients are immigrants. In reality, official data show that 82.4% are Spanish nationals and only 17.6% foreigners. Elsewhere, Dutch far-right activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek has said that most residents of Amsterdam, Brussels, and London are immigrants, whereas official statistics contradict this. Immigration remains a significant issue in Europe, influencing voter sentiment and political strategies. A recent poll reveals that half of Europeans disapprove of the EU’s migration policies, wanting stricter border controls. Some national governments have adjusted their immigration policies in response.

The EU, along with European port authorities, has launched a new public-private alliance aimed at combating drug smuggling and organised crime. This initiative comes as the EU faces record levels of cocaine seizures, with over 300 metric tons seized every year. The home affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson, said, ‘Europe has a huge problem of organised crime, and we know its source of income is drugs’. Nearly 70% of all drug seizures by customs occur at ports, making them a crucial focus for tackling drug trafficking. The partnership, which involves Europol and Eurojust, will allocate 200 million euros to support EU customs, raise awareness, and assist port authorities in addressing this problem. It will aim to enhance security and protect port workers from criminal threats and exploitation.

The USA, Japan, and the European Union have expressed their willingness to collaborate with Madagascar's re-elected president Andry Rajoelina, provided he ensures electoral reforms in the country. The country has a history of election crises; the most notable one, in 2009, ended in a coup that installed Rajoelina as president and led to violence between demonstrators and security forces. He has now been re-elected for a third term, with 59% of the vote, but there were numerous claims of irregularities and vote rigging, and ten of the candidates boycotted the election, leading to a low voter turnout. Rajoelina is being urged to implement electoral reforms that will foster transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the electoral process - reforms which are crucial for restoring international confidence. Madagascar has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, reaching 75% in 2022. Before the elections, there were fears that social difficulties and the economy, battered by climate change and politics, would get worse if the outcome didn't reflect the will of the people.

Six young people from wildfire and heatwave-affected areas in Portugal have taken 32 European governments to court, accusing them of violating their human rights by not taking sufficient action on climate change. The case, filed in September 2020 against all the EU member states and also Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, and Turkey, is the largest climate case ever heard by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg. A ruling is expected in the first half of 2024. The applicants argue that the failure to address climate change endangers their rights to life and physical and mental well-being. One of the applicants, 15-year-old Andre Oliveira, highlighted the impact of heat extremes on his ability to exercise and spend time outdoors, leading to sleep difficulties and worsening conditions due to weak climate policies.

The EU High Representative and the European Commission are willing to step up in the global fight against kleptocrats. A new anti-corruption sanctions regime would supplement the EU’s existing regime covering worldwide corruption, enabling it quickly and flexibly to complement country-specific anti-corruption policies for targeting dishonest individuals. The proposal would bring the EU into line with other regimes such as the Global Magnitsky Act, passed after investigations into tax fraud by Russian officials, which allows the USA to ban visas and freeze assets of corrupt individuals and human rights abusers worldwide. It is now incumbent upon EU member states to adopt the Commission’s proposal without delay.