Photo : MEAE/J.Sarago
19 January 2022, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #102
IN FOCUS
By Joeana Cera Matthews
France: EU Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting
On 13 January, the EU Foreign Ministers met at Brest in Brittany for a two-day ministerial meeting. The informal meeting was called for by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. Also referred as the Gymnich meeting, this gathering happens twice a year in the EU member state which holds the EU Council’s Presidency – now France.
Following the above meeting, the Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held. A joint working session called the “Jumbo” format, which involves the Defense ministers of the member states was also held.
The following four became the focus points of the above meeting.
The EU’s draft white paper on defense called the ‘Strategic Compass’ was discussed in-depth while the technicalities regarding the same were simultaneously addressed. The policy paper intends to bring a unified stance on international security situations while preparing “Europe’s civilian and military capabilities to global challenges”.
The policy draft which was originally presented on 15 November 2021 during a joint session of the EU foreign affairs and defense ministers. This policy has been worked on since the German Council Presidency in July 2020. The compass aims at incentivizing action with flexibility, investing in the EU defense capabilities and resources, strengthening partnerships while bringing about a strategic culture of a “shared perception of threats” combined with a “common strategic vision”. It is expected to be adopted via the European Council on 24 and 25 March.
The German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht expressed the consequences Moscow would face if it were to invade Ukraine. However, she added: "We must exhaust all options to resolve this conflict." Meanwhile, Borrell stated: "The European Union is certainly ready to respond directly to any aggression but our preference ... is that of dialogue and negotiations.” There was also widespread support for conducting the Normandy Format talks to de-escalate tensions.
The economic pressure faced by Lithuania from Beijing gave way to the discussion regarding bloc’s relations with China. Member states backed Lithuania while maintaining the importance of the EU “to have the means to combat all forms of economic pressure to protect sovereign interests”.
Discussions on the bloc’s approach to Africa primarily focused on the upcoming summit of the bloc with the African Union (AU) on 17 and 18 February. Targeted sanctions against the Malian junta were also decided upon via the meeting.
The Diminishing Presence of the EU
On 05 January, following her meeting with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had stated: “There can be no decision on security in Europe without Europe.” In a week filled with diplomacy and negotiations to de-escalate tensions along the Ukrainian borders, the EU was largely absent. Be it the Geneva summit, the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council, or even the OSCE council meeting – the European Council failed to portray its significance. Sciences Po University’s Head of Research Jacques Rupnik commented on this absence: “This feels like the post-World War II period when the Americans and Russians were deciding on Europe's future — especially as this conflict is taking place right at Europe's doorstep.”
The absence of the bloc in talks concerning European security raises a series of questions. Does the Kremlin not deem the EU significant enough to negotiate regional security with them? Does the decision-making power on European security lie elsewhere? What substantial measures have been undertaken by the EU regarding defense? Nevertheless, the EU seems to be badly in need of introspection as a regional organization.
References:
“Press Release - Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers (Gymnich),” Council of the European Union, 16 January 2022.
“US fears Russia planning ′false flag′ operation in Ukraine,” Deutsche Welle, 14 January 2022.
Lisa Louis, “Ukraine crisis: A geopolitical chance for the EU?,” Deutsche Welle, 13 January 2022.
“Foreign Minister Baerbock meets her EU counterparts in Brest, France,” German Federal Foreign Office, 12 January 2022.
“Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers (Gymnich),” Council of the European Union, 12 January 2022.
“EU defence and foreign ministers meet in France over deadlock with Russia,” RFI, 12 January 2022.
IN BRIEF
By Padmashree Anandhan and Ashwin Dhanabalan
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Lawmakers challenge Boris Johnson to resign over lockdown parties
On 19 January, the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was challenged to resign by lawmakers over allegations regarding the lockdown parties. Johnson, who won with a huge majority in 2019, was found to be defending against the repeated accusations made by lawmakers. To bring about a challenge to leadership, it is necessary for 54 Members of Parliament to submit no confidence letters to the chairman of the party’s committee. It is said that 20 of the conservative lawmakers who had won their seats in the 2019 elections have planned to submit the no confidence letter and a few of others have said to have already written. Johnson has repeatedly based his arguments on various reasons, but the opponents have called for him to resign. (“UK PM Johnson faces growing pressure to resign,” Reuters, 19 January 2022)
SWEDEN
Sweden authorites spot drones flying around government building
On 17 January, Swedish authorities spotted drones flying over three nuclear sites, airports and the royal palace. It is said that the spotted drone was found to be circling the parliament and government buildings and the royal palace in Stockholm. The investigation has begun to trace the suspect behind the drones, but the authorities have not disclosed the details of the drones. According to the security agency Sapo: “The security service is conducting the investigation regarding the drone flights over our nuclear plants. Regarding other drone observations it's so far a matter for the police.” So far, the prosecutors have decided to keep an open mind in finding the suspect as the security alert comes with tensions building between Russia and Ukraine. (“Sweden drones: Sightings reported over nuclear plants and palace,” BBC, 18 January 2021)
REGIONAL
European Parliament elects Roberta Metsola as new President
On 18 January, the European Parliament elected Roberta Metsola as the new President after the death of David Sassoli. Metsola is a conservative Maltese lawyer and the first woman to hold the post in 20 years. Metsola is also the youngest person in the history of the EU legislation to be elected as the President; she was Vice President to Sassoli and took charge of the office as the acting President from 11 January. Accepting the office, she said: "I feel honored by the responsibility with which you are entrusting me." Metsola has been a member of the Parliament since 2013 and played a crucial role as a representative of Malta's center-right Nationalist Party. However, she has drawn criticism from the opposition Greens and the Left group for her stance on anti-abortion. Meanwhile, French left-wing member of the European Parliament Manon Aubry recognized that Metsola advocated for LGBTQ rights. ("Who is Roberta Metsola, the new president of the European Parliament?," Deutsche Welle, 18 January 2022; "European Parliament elects conservative Roberta Metsola as president," Deutsche Welle, 18 January 2022)
Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov dialogues with North Macedonian counterpart
On 18 January, Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov met with his North Macedonian counterpart Dimitar Kovačevski on his visit to Skopje. The two leaders discussed the need for an improvement in bilateral relations as they said via a joint statement: "We have promised each other that we will use new energy to improve our relations with respect." Relations between the two countries turned sour after Bulgaria blocked North Macedonia's bid to join the EU in 2020. Bulgaria had argued that North Macedonia failed to keep its commitment in honouring a 2017 agreement regarding disputes over shared history and language. Euronews reported: "…both governments will have a joint meeting in Sofia next week to form cooperation groups in economic issues, infrastructure, European integration, trade, education, culture, and history." ("Bulgaria and North Macedonia agree to improve relations after talks," Euronews, 18 January 2022; "North Macedonia and Bulgaria agree to work on issues blocking EU talks," Reuters, 18 January 2022)
Germany's Annalena Baerbock visits Moscow amid tensions
On 18 January, Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on her visit to Moscow. She held discussions with her Russian colleagues to ease tensions amid speculations that Moscow was preparing to invade Ukraine. She commented on the issue saying: "Each further aggressive act will have a high price for Russia, economically, strategically, politically…. Diplomacy is the only way." As reported by The Guardian: "Her visit is being watched warily by European, UK and US administrations for signs that Germany may revert to its traditional role of seeking independent dialogue with Russia in preference to firmness". Baerbock's visit came after three high-level diplomatic meetings failed to give a positive outcome; she has called for "bringing new life" to the Normandy format talks that involve Ukraine, Germany, Russia, and France to deal with the crisis. (Darko Janjevic, "Germany's Baerbock says Russia troop buildup 'hard not to take as a threat'," Deutsche Welle, 18 January 2022; Patrick Wintour and Philip Oltermann, "Russia would pay 'high price' for attack on Ukraine, says German minister," The Guardian, 18 January 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to meet Russian counterpart in Geneva
On 18 January, the US announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken would meet with Russian Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on 21 January. The announcement came at a crucial period as the US speculated that Russia could invade Ukraine at any time; White House spokesperson Jen Psaki commented on the issue: "We're now at a stage where Russia at any time could launch an attack on Ukraine." A US state department official also said: "The fact that Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Lavrov agreed to meet on Friday in Geneva suggests that perhaps diplomacy is not dead." The department's comments came after a Russian diplomat earlier said that talks with the West were approaching a "dead end" as the three high-level meetings were inconclusive. (Julian Borger and Patrick Wintour, "US and Russia to hold talks on Ukraine in potential sign' diplomacy is not dead'," The Guardian, 19 January 2022; Michael Crowley and Anton Troianovski, "Blinken Will Meet With Russia as U.S. Pushes for More Diplomacy," The New York Times, 18 January 2022)
The talks on the US aluminium and steel tariffs to take place without notice
On 18 January, the US and Britain planned to launch talks to settle the dispute on the US aluminium and steel tariffs. The announcement to the talks is expected to be said during the upcoming meeting on mental tariffs between the officials of the US and the UK. Although the announcement is said to not disclose the timeline to reach the agreement, the US Commerce Department spokesperson is yet to confirm on the plans of the declaration. According to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai: "when the time is right." Which means the talks are expected to happen without any notice. (David Lawder and Andrea Shalal, “U.S., UK to announce plans for formal talks on metals tariffs on Wednesday -sources,” Reuters, 19 January 2022)