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In Brief
By Alka Bala and Rosemary Kurian
LATVIA
Protests demanding to stop import and transit of Russian goods
On 23 January, according to ENG.LSM.lv, the association, The Rising Sun (Austošā Saule) protested the continued import of Russian goods, as it is immoral. Latvia is also undergoing discussions as to whether to stop the transit of Russian food grains to third-world countries as it contains the risk of being stolen from Ukraine. Armands Krauze, Agriculture Minister on 23 January called for a ban on Russian agricultural and food imports in the EU and sanctions for Russian grains at the EU Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers. (“Rally against imports from Russia in Rīga,” ENG.LSM.lv, 23 January 2024)
GERMANY
Government pulls subsidies from far-right party
On 23 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the decision by Germany’s Constitutional Court to withdraw state subsidies and tax exemptions granted to the far-right party ‘Nationalist Democratic Party of Germany’ due to a failure to get enough votes. The party is known to have anti-constitutional views which led to the court’s decision to suspend state aid. Government officials are deliberating if the same principle can be used against the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). German law states that attempts to undermine the constitutional order of the state are subject to the withdrawal of subsidies. (“Top German court strips financing of extreme-right party,” Deutsche Welle, 23 January 2024)
POLAND
President Duda pardons arrested former ministers
On 23 January, Deutsche Welle reported on Andrzej Duda, the Poland's President’s decision to pardon two former ministers belonging to his party, who were arrested a few weeks ago. Mariusz Kaminski and Maciej Wasik, the former ministers, were seeking refuge in the President’s Palace, and were arrested due to the conviction of abuse of power carried out during 2007. Kaminski and Wasik are supporters of Duda and his Law and Justice Party (PiS), which led Poland for eight years. The ex-ministers were pardoned by Duda in 2015, which was overturned by Poland’s Supreme Court in 2023. Duda’s decision created a rift between his party, the PiS, and Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk. (“Poland: Duda pardons politicians jailed for abuse of power,” Deutsche Welle, 23 January 2024)
SWITZERLAND
EPFL study reveals health effects of heat islands
On 23 January, Swissinfo reported on the health costs and adverse effects of health islands based on the study undertaken by the federal technology institute, the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Lausanne. The research highlighted the financial costs amounting up to CHF180 per adult per year due to the effects of heat islands, whereas also reported how these result in increased cardiovascular and respiratory risks and risks at reducing overall life expectancy. The research also underlined how the heat islands of Geneva cause four additional heat-related deaths, but prevent 3.4 cold-related deaths, per 100,000 residents per year. (“Urban heat islands have a health cost, according to Swiss study,” Swissinfo.ch, 23 January 2024)
New food laws to come into effect from February
On 23 January, Swissinfo reported revision of food laws focusing on reducing certain chemicals, with emphasis on increasing transparency for consumers, such as a declaration of origin of baked goods by retail sellers as wholesale import prices rose by 65 per cent in the last decade. The Swiss government has imposed maximum limits for the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, “forever chemicals,” as they have harmful effects on the development of foetuses and immune systems of adults. Changes in allowing redistribution of unsold food are aimed at reducing food waste commitments by 2030, as currently 2.8 million tonnes of food waste per year is generated in Switzerland. The new law allows for on-farm slaughter, allowing for a humane option as earlier it was required to transport animals to slaughterhouses, according to the Food Safety and Veterinary Office. (“New Swiss food laws for 2024: bread, chemicals and food waste,” Swissinfo.ch, 23 January 2024)
REGIONAL
Estonia and Turkey celebrate a hundred years of diplomatic relations
On 23 January, the countries celebrated a hundred years of diplomatic relations since the day Turkey recognised the independent Republic of Estonia while calling to continue cooperation in the future. Margus Tsahkna, Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs praised Turkey for never officially acknowledging the Soviet occupation of Estonia and highlighted the nation’s significance in ensuring security. A brief timeline of their relations would trace the nations signing a treaty of friendship between Estonia and Türkiye on 01 December 1924, leading to the opening of an Estonian Consulate General in Istanbul in 1929. The nations restored their ties formally on 23 October 1991, followed by which Embassy of the Republic of Estonia was opened in Ankara in 2005. (“MFA: Estonia, Turkey celebrate century of diplomatic relations,” ERR News, 23 January 2024 and “Estonia and Türkiye: 100 Years of Diplomatic Relations,” Embassy of Estonia Ankara)
INTERNATIONAL
Swiss and Russian Foreign Ministers meet ahead of the UNSC meeting
On 23 January, Swissinfo reported Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis meeting with Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister in New York, before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Meeting, and stated on their discussion of “important issues.” The previous week, Russia had rejected Switzerland’s initiative to undertake a World Peace Initiative with Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s President. Cassis had met several Foreign Ministers in New York, including the major intermediary between the Russia-Ukraine war, Turkey. (“Swiss and Russian foreign ministers meet in New York,” Swissinfo.ch, 23 January 2024)
Tenth EU- Egypt Association Council meeting; calls to promote multilateralism
On 23 January, the tenth EU-Egypt Association Council meeting took place in Brussels marking the 20th anniversary of the Association Agreement. The meeting co-chaired by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Sameh Shoukry, Foreign Minister of Egypt, reviewed the development made in the Joint Partnership Priorities and called for increased multilateralism and cooperation for rules-based international order, and reiterated their cooperation for maintaining stability and peace in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa. The meeting expressed their concern for the humanitarian losses in Gaza and jointly expressed their support for a two-state solution which would end the occupation and establish an independent Palestine State drawn on the lines of 04 January 1967, while reiterating the need for humanitarian pauses in the ongoing conflict and protection of civilians in accordance to international law. EU reiterated its support towards Egyptian water security while both parties acknowledged the freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. The meeting also focused on their commitment towards climate change mitigation and the development of sustainable agriculture and industry. Other areas of focus reiterated in the joint statement include efforts against combating terrorism, cooperation in technology innovation and adoption of a comprehensive approach to migration governance. (“10th EU-Egypt Association Council meeting: Joint press statement by Egypt and the European Union,” European Council 23 January 2024)
Germany extends economic partnership with Vietnam
On 23 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the visit by Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German President in Vietnam, to expand German economic interests in Asia. The visit is an effort to push Germany’s ‘China-de risking strategy’ during his four-day tour of Southeast Asia. Steinemeir was welcomed with military honours at Hanoi by Vo Van Tthoung, the Vietnamese President. Both presidents signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) facilitating the flow of skilled labour from Vietnam to Germany, one clear of “bureaucratic hurdles.” (“German president visits Vietnam with business delegation,” Deutsche Welle, 23 January 2024)
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