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02 January 2024, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #719
In Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
BELGIUM
Government sets out agenda for the EU Council Presidency
On 01 January, Deutsche Welle reported on Belgium’s assumption of EU Council presidency and the challenges ahead to carry out its agenda. Belgium which is taking over the presidency after Spain in 2024 has more than 100 legislative projects, an asylum reform, and regulation of EU’s AI to finalise before April. The next European Parliamentary elections scheduled in June, pending legislative projects would be carried forward but under a new Commission. As the time remains limited, Hadja Lahbib, Belgium’s Foreign Minister says: “we are better in finding solutions than creating problems.” As far as Belgium’s agenda in considered, it aims to brings laws in inducing “green restructuring of the economy,” and to increase “Europe’s global competitiveness.” Apart from this handling the Hungarian block over aid to Ukraine and discussion over EU’s internal mechanism and strategizing its foreign policy are also on the list. (Bernd Riegert, “Belgium's bold EU Council agenda,” Deutsche Welle, 01 January 2023)
RUSSIA
Russian forces begin using Yastreb-AV systems
On 02 January, Sputnik reported on Russia’s new Yastreb-AV artillery reconnaissance systems. According to the report, the systems are designed to provide intelligence and targeting data to Russia’s artillery units. It utilises advanced sensors, communication and data processing to help commanders identify enemy position quickly and with precision. On the same, Russia’s defence ministry reported on usage of the systems in the operations in Ukraine under the “counter-battery combat.” (“Russian Armed Forces Receive New Yastreb-AV Artillery Reconnaissance System,” Sputnik, 02 January 2023)
SERBIA
Protest continues across Belgrade calling for new elections
On 30 December 2023, protestors gathered in central Belgrade calling for new round of elections. One of the protestors said to Deutsche Welle: “We want proper electoral registers and new elections under fair conditions. I hope many more people will take to the streets.” Although the protests remain small but staged every day, majority stay at home. The opposition party, Serbia Against Violence, a pro-European alliance was observed to still invoke public interest through hunger strike. One of the opposition ministers, Marinika Tepic who had held out for 12 days said: “I'm just hungry for freedom and justice.” The protest sparked following the continued victory of Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia’s President heading Serbian Progressive Party through fraud as claimed by the opposition. The opposition argue that the elections was “rigged” due to “falsification of the electoral register.” (Nemanha Rujevic, “Political tensions high in Serbia amid vote fraud protests,” Deutsche Welle, 30 December 2023)
THE UK
Government reports in decrease in the migrant crossing in English Channel
On 02 January, the Government of the UK reported on the decrease in entry of migrants into the UK through the English Channel. According to the data released, UK witnessed 36 per cent (29,437) drop in 2023 compared to 2022 (45,775). On the same Rishi Sunak, UK’s Prime Minister stated on how the government’s priority has been on stopping such boat arrivals. He added: “That is why we have taken action to stop the boats, return hotels to their local communities and deter those wanting to come here illegally from doing so.” According to the report, the government had spent EUR 3.46 billion annually in processing the migrants asylum process and had cleared 92,000 asylum cases by 2023. It had processed more than 112,000 cases with 67 per cent granted asylum. (“UK: Nearly 30,000 migrants crossed Channel in 2023,” Deutsche Welle, 01 January 2023)