NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : AP Photo/Peter Dejong
By Vaihali Chittrothu
THE NETHERLANDS
Demonstrations against NATO on increased military spending in Hague
On 22 June, hundreds of people in the Hague protested against NATO for rising military spending and war with Iran. It took place before a summit of the alliance in the Hague, where leaders had yet to discuss increasing defence budgets. A Belgian politician, Jo's D'Haese, said that they should invest in sustainable energy and peace. The protests not only focused on NATO and the war in Gaza but also held signs, “No Iran War” and “ Hands off Iran,” as many Iranians joined the protests. A spokesperson for the Counter Summit Coalition for Peace and Justice, Arno van der Veen, said the role of NATO became problematic as the US joined Israel in the war. (Emma De Ruiter, “Hundreds take to the streets of the Hague in demonstration against NATO days before major summit,” Euronews, 22 June 2025)
THE UK
MPs vote in favour of legally assisted dying for terminally ill patients
On 20 June, 2025, the UK took a historic step to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill patients. It would happen only by the consent of the patient after the patient had consulted two doctors. Hence, this bill was passed in the lower House of Commons chamber, where they voted 314 in favour to 219 and sent the proposal to the upper House of Lords for further scrutiny in the following four hours. The parliament had mixed opinions, some supporting and some pointing out drawbacks in the bill. One of them was that there was no provision for disabled people who were suspected of coercion. This wouldn't benefit those who think they burden to their family, friends and society, hence it would implicate them. Hence, the opposition expressing these views are suggesting palliative care instead. Even the public expressed mixed opinions regarding the bill. They are holding slogans like “Let us choose” and “Don't make doctors killers”.(“UK MPs vote in favour of legalising assisted dying in historic step,” France24, 20 June 2025)
Bank of England to hold interest rates fearing inflation
On 20 June, Euronews reported that the Bank of England(BoE) decided to hold its interest rates at 4.25 per cent. This was out of fear that the ongoing conflict might implicate the inflation rates if the US would be involved in the conflict. Hence it decided to hold them low at a two-year rate. The prevailing bank forecasted that the inflation would rise in the current year and fall next year. An increase in the oil prices would implicate costs of production and transportation of all other goods. This would clearly impact the Europe growth rate, as it was low in April around 0.3 per cent. The growth would be stagnant, affected by the US tariffs and even the US-UK deal would affect the European economy. (Doloresz Katanich “ Bank of England holds interest rates amid intensifying inflation risks,” Euronews, 20 June 2025)
REGIONAL
Germany supports France's stance of tariffs on only aircraft finished products
On 20 June, Euronews reported that Germany's aerospace industry announced that it would support France's stance on only imposing tariffs on US aircraft finished products but not on spare parts. The EU would decide the US-UK deal, including tariffs on the aerospace industry. The German Aerospace Industries Association(BDLI) only wants the EU to impose tariffs on the US aerospace finished products and not on the spare parts. It took this decision after Airbus CEO Guillamaue Faury, also the chairperson of French Aerospace Association GIFAS, expressed his opinion on aerospace tariffs, which would impact global supply chains if the spare parts were also imposed with tariffs. The decision of the EU would not only impact the economies but also indirectly contribute to the rivalry of Boeing, a US company and Airbus, A European MNC. (Peggy Corlin, “Tariffs: German and French industry united on EU retaliation on aircraft sector,” Euronews, 20 June 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
Spain to be exempt from five per cent GDP defence spending target
On 22 June, France24 reported that Spain made an agreement with NATO to be exempted from five per cent spending on defence. US President Donald Trump was pressuring NATO to make its member states commit to the target before their meeting in the Hague would take place. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez said that Sapin wouldn't accept the provision even if all others accepted it. He said it would not only be unreasonable but also counterproductive. Spain was one of the lowest-spending NATO countries on defence in relative terms. Sánchez said that it was difficult to balance the NATO provisions and his coalition partner's hostility towards spending more on defence. (“Spain strikes deal with NATO to be exempt from 5 percent defence spending target,” France24, 22 June 2025)
Armenia Prime Minister meets Turkey President to establish diplomatic ties
On 20 June, the Armenia Prime Minister, Nikol Pashiyan, met with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, where they held in-depth talks on regional peace. The purpose of the visit was a historic step towards establishing formal diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey. Even though they have shared borders since the 1990s, the formal talks took place on 20 June at Dolmabahçe Palace. It lasted over an hour where they discussed peace talks of Armenia with Azerbaijan, the Iran-Israel conflict, as they both share borders with the two nations. They even discussed normalisation talks between Turkey and Armenia, regional developments and the importance of the suspended dialogue. (“Armenian PM Pashinyan meets Erdogan in Turkey on 'historic' visit,”France24, 20 June 2025)
EU bans Chinese medical companies in government tenders
On June 20, Euronews reported that the EU banned Chinese medical companies from participating in the government tenders. It was retaliatory in nature as European medical device manufacturers were also imposed restrictions by the Chinese government. There was clear evidence found by the EU that China was unfairly blocking EU-made medical devices from its public procurement market. Under the new rules the Chinese public firms were prohibited from bidding public contracts of medical devices in the EU single market that exceed USD 5 million. The Commission also said that the decision aligns with the International agreement according to the World Trade Organisation(WTO). (Gerardo Fortuna, “EU shuts out Chinese medical suppliers from European market in retaliatory trade move Euronews, 20 June 2025)
Several EU citizens exit middle east amid Israel-Iran conflict
On 21 June, LSM reported that 15 nationals were planning to leave Israel. An evacuation flight from Sharm el-Sheik to Chisinau, Moldova. The flight was organised by the Embassy of Ukraine to Israel in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine to Egypt. To date, 28 left Israel in evacuation flights organised by Lithuania and Slovakia through Jordan. A state of emergency was declared in Israel and the Embassy of Latvia was closed, however Latvian diplomats carried out their duties. On 20 June, Euronews reported that many citizens of the European countries were leaving Iran and Israel to avoid conflict. Airspace travel was being shuttered across the region and recently a repatriation flight transporting 69 citizens from Israel landed in Portugal, containing 48 Portuguese among them. Portugal announced temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran. The Prime Minister of Serbia, Äuro Macut met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Badr Abdelatty regarding the emergency evacuation of 2,500 Serbian citizens from Israel. In Romania, hundreds of nationals were brought safely to the capital of Romania after that the country sent military planes by the request of its nationals from Israel.(“More European countries begin evacuating citizens from Israel and Iran,”Euronews, 20 June 2025; “More Latvians to leave Israel this weekend,” LSM, 21 June 2025)
Israel rejects the review of EU-Israel Association Agreement; Review finds human rights violations
On 22 June, Israel sent a letter to the EU rejecting the conclusions given on the review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The letter mentions that the report and its conclusions shouldn't be taken seriously or used as a basis for further actions. Euronews reported that, apparently, the report disregarded detailed responses to the questions asked of Israel. The Israel Foreign Ministry expressed its astonishment at the report released on 20 June. The letter claims that Israel was not given a chance to defend itself for accusations imposed by the EU. The information from Israel was not included in the report which should be included because the report involved Israel. The letter insisted on Israel's Compliance with International Law and claimed that facts would be justified if Israel's opinion was included and the report's questioning failed to do so. Israel is said to follow the International law and it should be seen from their side, a country full of terrorism, radicalism and void of democracy to understand their actions. On 20 June, the EU reviewed the EU-Israel Association Agreement, where it found that attacks on Gaza by Israel had led to a breach of human rights. The violations include Israel's attack on Gaza and stringent rules on humanitarian aid that led to famine among sparsely populated Palestinians, missile attacks on hospitals, mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, and expansion of settlements that were illegal under international law. It also includes the West Bank region, where settlers engaged in violent acts. This clear act of violence enraged the EU, and the review was conducted by the European External Action Service (EEAS). The violation of the agreement was an indicator under Article 2 of the agreement. Israel publicly denounced the decision and said Hamas is responsible for the continuation of the war, as it started the war in the first place. (Jorge Liboreiro & Maïa de La Baume, “EU review indicates Israel breached human rights in Gaza,” Euronews, 20 June 2025; Sasha Vakulina, “Exclusive: Israel blasts EU report accusing it of breaching human rights in Gaza,” Euronews, 22 June 2025)