Photo : Reinis Inkēns, Saeima
In Brief
By Alka Bala and Rosemary Kurian
BELGIUM
Brussels to join European mission in the Red Sea
On 19 January, Politico reported Belgium’s decision to send a warship, the frigate Louise-Marie, equipped with 16 anti-missile Sea Sparrow missiles to the European Mission in the Red Sea. After much reluctance from the left-wing parties in Hadja Labib, Belgium’s Foreign Affairs Minister announced the country’s participation in the mission countering attacks by Houthi rebels and would focus on achieving a ceasefire in Gaza while ensuring access for humanitarian aid convoys in the region. (Jeremy Van Der Haegen, “Belgium sends warship to Red Sea,” Politico, 19 January 2024)
ESTONIA
Bunkers to be built along border with Russia for defence
On 19 January, ERR News reported on the decision by Estonia to install hundreds of bunkers along the Russian border, in a plan by the Baltic states to build “anti-mobility defensive installations” to strengthen Baltic defence, as decided during the 2023 NATO Summit in Madrid. The bunkers would be built in peacetime and can be used for other purposes, and explosives and barbed wire would be avoided to maintain the peacetime. The installations would help prevent a regional military conflict and are expected to start by 2025 at a planned budget of EUR 60 million. However, they wouldn’t be built across the sea coast, which shall employ an alternative maritime strategy using missiles and naval mines. (“Estonia to build 600 bunkers along Russian border,” ERR News, 19 January 2024)
Estonia in favour of investigation against Serbian elections
On 19 January, ERR News reported on an open letter signed by Marko Mihkelson, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), and other EU affairs countries from 16 countries asking the EU to conduct an independent investigation against suspected malpractices in the Serbian parliamentary and local elections. The signatory countries including Denmark, Italy, Germany, France, Ukraine and the UK hope to see Serbia as a member of the EU in this decade and called for the investigation to fulfil its requirement as a democracy respecting the rule of law, and over concerns of its continued allegiance to the Russian Federation. The committees have urged the EU to conduct fresh elections in Serbia, depending on the results of its investigation. (“Estonia signs open letter calling for Serbian elections investigation,” ERR News, 19 January 2024)
GERMANY
Scholz condemns right-wing intentions of ‘deportations’
On 19 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the support shown by Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, towards protests condemning plans by the right wing AfD party to mass deport migrants. Scholz likened the plan with Nazi ideology and stated that the act by right-wing extremists was a threat to democracy. Protests arose after the German investigative site Correctiv exposed a meeting among right-wing extremists of the AfD and their plans towards mass deportations from Germany. Demonstrations in Hamburg were brought to a close due to overwhelming attendance by protesters, reaching up to 50,000, according to the Agence-France Presse. Protesters have planned another 90 demonstrations in German cities including Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Bonn, Berlin and Munich this weekend. (“Germany: Scholz welcomes protests against far right,” Deutsche Welle, 19 January 2024)
Bundestag passes bill easing naturalisation and dual citizenship
On 19 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the decision by the Bundestag, the German lower house of the parliament, to pass a bill which allows naturalisation of citizenship in five instead of eight years and expanded the reach of dual citizenship to most countries (and not just the EU). In a move to increase skilled labour in Germany, Nancy Faeser, the German interior minister, stated that they are replicating the US and Canada in attracting qualified people. The bill was voted against by conservative (CDU, CSU) and far-right (AfD) parties in an attempt to “preserve the value of German citizenship”. The coalition government under Scholz has promised to strengthen laws against illegal immigration and failed asylum seekers. (“Germany's parliament approves easing dual citizenship”, Deutsche Welle, 19 January 2024)
LITHUANIA
Youth remain uninterested in politics
On 11 January, Delfi.en reported on the lack of interest showcased by Lithuanian youth towards political processes and civic responsibilities in the country. Umberto Masi, the President of the Lithuanian Youth Council, agrees to insufficient youth participation and blames the flaws in civic education as the primary cause. Further, the period of Russian occupation of Lithuania, mental health issues and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to youth behaviour. Given the effect each issue has on the youth, Masi stated that youth voices often go undervalued. Lithuanian youth are passionate about ecology, climate change, LGBTQIA+ rights, education and employment. Masi suggested that the youth need to be honed towards being better citizens through practical activities in the form of civic and community engagement and rethink the methods used in schools. He further stressed on the importance of the need for the youth to feel heard on matters that directly affect them. (Gabija Zdanytė, “Why young Lithuanians, too, are disappointed with politicians, explained.” Delfi.en, 11 January 2024)
THE UK
UK Health agency declares national incident; cites surge in measles
On 19 January, Politico reported the declaration of a national incident by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stating the need for immediate action to increase the uptake of measles, mumps and rubella vaccines (MMR). Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the agency also cited the need for a long-term plan to prevent large measles outbreaks. Risk groups involve women, babies and children with weak immune systems. Besides London, West Midlands witnessed the highest cases and reported 216 confirmed and 103 probable cases in Birmingham city. The agency also reported on the risks faced by low-vaccinated communities. (Mari Eccles, “UK disease agency declares national incident as measles cases soar,” Politico, 19 January 2024)
REGIONAL
Baltic Assembly reassert support for Ukraine; To set up common Baltic defence zone
On 19 January 2024, according to ENG LSM.Iv, the Baltic Assembly comprising of parliaments of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania reasserted their unequivocal support for Ukraine’s “integration into Europe and the Euro-Atlantic space” while demanding the need for Jānis Vucāns, vice-president of the Baltic Assembly said: “European actions to ensure the complete victory of Europe.” The assembly also emphasised the provision of military, financial and political support to Ukraine to enable them to recover their territories, while urging the international community to increase their sanction on Russia. The countries also agreed on setting up common Baltic Defense zones on their borders with Russia and Belarus. As per this plan, the states would focus on building while also constructing "anti-mobility defensive installations," to ensure missile-artillery cooperation while Estonia plans on building 600 bunkers, along the 294-kilometre-long border with Russia. According to Arvydas Anušauskas, Lithuanian Defence Minister, the country stated its current collaboration with the US to develop HIMARS rocket capabilities. Whereas Latvia stated the completion of its anti-mobility plans, and increase in other border-strengthening steps. (“Baltic parliaments reaffirm strong support for Ukraine,” ENG LSM.Iv, 19 January 2024 and Sergey Goryashiko, “Baltic states plan common defense zone on Russia border as security concerns mount,” Politico, 19 January 2024)
Lithuanian Prime Minister discusses the EU security with Commissioner Breton
On 19 January, EN Delfi reported on the meeting held by Ingrida Šimonytė, the Lithuanian Prime Minister with Thierry Breton, European Union Commissioner for Internal Market and discussed matters of strengthening the EU security and defence industry. Šimonytė also called for increased military support to Ukraine, while highlighting that future strategies should ensure the development of defence capabilities production and reserves. On the economic front, she underlined the importance of involvement and integration of small and medium-sized enterprises in the EU supply chains. (“PM discusses strengthening of EU security and defence industry with Commissioner Breton,” EN Delfi, 19 January 2024)
EU Commissioner promises production of a million shells annually
On 20 January, ERR News reported that Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market, met with Kaja Kallas, the Estonian Prime Minister, to discuss the EU’s increasing capacity towards defence preparedness. In an attempt to aid Ukraine in its war against Russia, Kallas had proposed the ‘One Million Shells Initiative’ as a target for annual production for joint procurement by the EU. Breton stated that the EU would reach its target of producing a million shells a year by March-April, 2024, and exceed its capacity by the end of the year. (EU commissioner Breton: Million shells will be produced in Europe by April,” ERR News, 20 January 2024)