NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : FilePhoto/Europe.eu
IN FOCUS
By Vaishnavi Iyer
European Commission enhances its tech ecosystem post-TTC meet
On 29 September 2021, the EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) held its inaugural meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The TTC is an initiative by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and US President Joe Biden. The United States Co-Chairs — Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai collaborated with EU Co-Chairs — European Commission Executive Vice Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis to upgrade common principles for "21st Century economy". The summit discussed addressing non-market trade challenges and trade distortive practices. The countries intended to strengthen cooperation, transparency, and communication in semiconductor supply chains. They followed it by identifying existing gaps and vulnerabilities to advance R&D ecosystems to improve resilience. The partners sought to exchange information related to investment trends, transaction types, and the best practices related to analyzing risk. The investment screening discussion was focused on sensitive technologies and related data. Shared principles of cooperating to provide for capacity building of developing countries, including multilateral support to export control regimes, were agreed upon. Additionally, the partners agreed to engage in implementing innovative and trustworthy AI systems, studying the impact of AI on the future, ensuring the developed technology respects shared democratic values and universal human rights. The committee appointed working groups to develop plans for critical areas. The critical areas consisted of SME access to digital tools, enhancing emerging technology standards, securing critical supply chains and introducing clean technology objectives, data governance, and addressing the misuse of technology to threaten human rights and security. Many stakeholders participated in the summit and promised enhanced and diverse engagement in meeting the goals of the TTC.
On 18 October, Europe invested GBP 227 million in tech start-ups. As an initiative of the European Commission's Europe Innovation Council (EIC) accelerator program, every company would directly receive GBP 17 million to upgrade technology for energy, healthcare, biotech, digital technologies, and space. The EIC selected up to 65 small companies and start-ups. Out of the 65 companies selected, 60 companies received GBP 227 million in equity, while the remainder received GBP 136 million in grants. French company UpMem working in developing processing in memory devices, noted: "The EIC support will allow our PIM technology to drastically reduce the energy and hardware footprint of digital services and data centers." Other companies facilitated by the EIC funds are - Minima Processor, a Finland based company developing a low-power processor, Plant-e from Belgium providing for a plant-powered energy harvesting system for IoT systems, a Sweden based company called Oldecomm looks at LED-based LiFi communication technology needed for spacecraft and aerospace along with WI-charge developing a wireless power system allowing for device charging over a 10-meter air range with a power which is 100 times more than batteries. The scheme also supports start-ups called 'Alice and Bob in France,' building the world's first fault-tolerant commercial quantum computers and Denmark's 'Sparrow Quantum,' looking at single-photon sources for photonic quantum computers. The EIC is harboring a new tech ecosystem by introducing "Horizon Europe," where start-ups can submit their ideas for a fast evaluation. Selected applicants are then invited to prepare a full plan with free business coaching. The same plans would be evaluated every 3 months at fixed 3-month intervals. Out of the 4,000 start-up ideas sent since March, 801 have already presented their full applications. A further 1,098 applications for October are now being evaluated. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth noted: "With the European Innovation Council we aim to bring Europe to the forefront of innovation and new technologies, by investing in new solutions for the health, environmental and societal challenges we are facing."
On 20 October, The European Commission launched an online consultation platform known as Futurium in alignment with the TTC talks. Futurium collects views from various businesses, think tanks, unions, academics, not-for-profit and environmental organizations, and other stakeholders. Margrethe Vestager of the 'A Europe Fit for the Digital Age,' said: "Robust and regular engagement with all interested parties on both sides of the Atlantic is an absolute must for the success of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council." Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis noted the initiative compounds a transatlantic leadership on topics of technology and cooperation. He added that the platform is an outreach activity, and as a part of the promised transparency on trade issues, they would be collaborating with civil societies through their "Civil Society Dialogues."
The European Parliament Press Kit for 21-22 October, under its Digital Transformation discussions, reviewed proposals on the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. The voting for the drafts is scheduled for 08 November. Further, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee called upon Frances Haugen, Facebook whistleblower, on 08 November for a hearing on "Whistleblowers' testimonies on the negative impact of big tech companies' products on users." As discussed in the TTC, the MEPs discussed the proposal of a rulebook aimed at Artificial Intelligence to set standards enabling trust and security. They focused on the ethical use of AI to safeguard citizens fundamental rights and also on AI investment uptake. Finally, they hoped for a standard and balanced approach which would promote legal certainty for SMEs and encourage innovation in the EU. The next meeting of the TTC is planned for 2022.
References
"European Parliament Press Kit for the European Council of 21-22 October 2021," European Parliament, 21 October 2021
Nick Flaherty, "Europe invests €227m directly in tech start-ups," eeNews Europe, 18 October 2021
Nick Flaherty, "EU consults on US Trade and Technology Council," eeNews Europe, 18 October 2021
Jen Psaki, "FACT SHEET: U.S.-EU Establish Common Principles to Update the Rules for the 21st Century Economy at Inaugural Trade and Technology Council Meeting," The Whitehouse, 29 September 2021
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan and Joeana Cera Matthews
THE UNITED KINGDOM
British Prosecutors authorize police to charge murder suspect
On 15 October, a British parliament member was stabbed during the constituency meeting. The police arrested the suspect Ali Harbi Ali, a British citizen living in London, within hours and affirmed that the attack was a "terrorist incident." British prosecutors have given the authorization to police to charge the suspect with the murder of lawmaker David Amess. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is the authority that prosecutes criminal cases in England. According to Nick Price, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Division "We will submit to the court that this murder has a terrorist connection, namely that it had both religious and ideological motivations." (Michael Holden, "Man charged with UK lawmaker's murder, court hears he supported IS," Reuters, 21 October 2021; "UK police charge suspect with murder of MP David Amess," Deutsche Welle, 21 October 2021)
GERMANY
Coalition talks decide to appoint Scholz as next Chancellor
On 21 October, three German parties — the SPD, the Greens, and the Free Democrats (FDP), proposed to form a coalition government. This is to finalize talks by November and to elect Social Democrat Olaf Scholz as Chancellor by 06 December 2021. Although the Greens and the SPD seem to share a progressive ideology, the FDP is much closer to the conservatives. This variance did not stop the parties from CEECs from creating a 12-page agreement of pledges on climate action, taxes, and minimum wage that will be inputted in the final government programme. In the background, the last national elections projected Angela Merkel's block in second place even after the Chancellor chose not to compete. Merkel was known for her skilled corridor diplomacy, being at the vanguard to deal with any crisis in the eurozone. It is said that if the talks between the parties to form a coalition fails, it will be the turn for Merkel to come back to Brussels. ("German parties aim to make Scholz chancellor by early December," Reuters, 22 October 2021; Johnny Cotton, "Auf Wiedersehen: Merkel attends her swan song EU summit – probably," Reuters, 21 October 2021)
FRANCE
"Middle class-indemnity" to be provided to low-income earners
On 21 October 2021, French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced a new plan to support the consumers during the soaring energy price crisis Europe is struggling with. The plan includes the government aiming to provide a payment of EUR 100 to those earning less than a monthly income of EUR 2,000. The payment is expected to assist at least 38 million people in France. The complete details of the measure are yet to be released. The opposition did not waste much time before it termed the measure as 'insufficient. National Rally's Marine Le Pen called for the reduction of VAT for gas, electricity, and fuel which would aid French people more than the payment. ("France to give citizens €100 payment to cope with rising energy prices," POLITICO, 22 October 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
NATO ministers mandate for a new strategy against Russia
On 21 October, a meeting between the NATO defense ministers was held in Brussels to discuss how to deal with Russia with increasing tensions in the Baltics and the Black Sea. According to the NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, a "new strategy would mean ensuring we have the right forces in the right place at the right time." The current stand in the relations between NATO and Russia is strained. With recent developments in the Baltic and the Black Sea regions, the ministers' mandate that NATO needs to be ready for any forms of warfare, cyber or nuclear or space. Although the ministers have emphasized on being ready, Stoltenberg said that it will be too early to take a stance. (Robin Emmott, "NATO agrees master plan to deter growing Russian threat," Reuters, 22 October 2021; "NATO defense ministers talking Russia as relations plummet," Deutsche Welle, 21 October 2021)