Photo : President.gov.in
24 August 2024, Saturday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #919
By Advik S Mohan and Samruddhi Pathak
UKRAINE
Indian Prime Minister Modi holds meeting with Ukraine President Zelenskyy
On 23 August, during his first visit to Ukraine, Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister held meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President. Both discussed the Ukrainian incursion inside Russia and released a joint statement pledging defence and bilateral relations. Modi and Zelenskyy reiterated their readiness for cooperation. Modi agreed to focus on peaceful resolution through “dialogue and diplomacy.” Zelenskyy stressed on India to join the “Joint Communique on a Peace Framework,” to promote Ukraine’s efforts on peace and diplomacy.
Other areas of discussion involved increasing cooperation in trade, commerce, pharmaceuticals, education, science and technology. Both also agreed on boosting partnership at business and industry levels. Following the war in 2022, the trade was observed to be reduced, both agreed on improving the economic activites through Co-chairs and Indian-Ukrainian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, Industrial and Cultural Cooperation (IGC). From the discussed topics, pharmaceuticals products were considered the strongest and both assured to improve the market access and joint ventures in inspection and broadening collaboration in drugs and pharmaceuticals. In defence, both leaders agreed to facilitate stronger relations between defence cooperations and manufacturing in “emerging areas.”
“India-Ukraine Joint Statement on the Visit of Prime Minister of India to Ukraine,” President.gov.in, 23 August 2024
Nick Beake and Paul Kirby"India ready to help find peace, Modi tells Ukraine," BBC, 23 August 2024
Deutsche Welle remembers 33 years of Ukraine independence
On 24 August, Ukraine celebrates its independence day. Deutsche Welle has written a reminiscent account of the Ukrainian independence struggle and interviewed Mykola Porovskyi, the frontier of the Ukrainian independence struggle. The People's Movement Party was at the forefront of the independence struggle. Mykola Porovskyi was one of the founders of the Party. After a coup failed in 1991 to overthrow Mikhail Gobarchev, Porovskyi formed an opposition against the Communist Party. The phrase "come what may" was used during the struggle. The democratic opposition entered the parliament in 1990 and was called the “People’s Council.” Porovskyi said that it was impossible to declare independence with the communist bloc passing the bill since they were the majority. Thus, he started to “convince the communists.” The Democrats accepted the demands of the communist leaders to get their votes to break Ukraine away from Russia. The demands included no persecution of communists and no removal from public office. Iryna Ukhina, “The day Ukraine declared independence,” Deutsche Welle, 23 August 2024
THE EU
Climate change poses a threat to alcoholic drink production
On 23 August, an article in Euro News brought out the impact of increasing climate change on the production of alcoholic drinks in Europe. For instance, the combination of extreme weather and soil degradation is reducing grape harvests in the mountainside vineyards of northern Italy, where the prosecco white wine is produced. It is estimated that Italian grape harvests could decline by a fifth, with drought and intense rainfall making the process more difficult. Similarly, the palinka fruit brandy from Hungary is under threat, since droughts and the arrival of extreme weather conditions are damaging the production of fruit crops such as blackcurrants and raspberries. To combat this threat, palinka is now being made with kiwi fruit in some areas. There is concern that the iconic British beer or pint could disappear altogether, as the production of hops used in beer is under threat due to warmer weather. Similarly, a growing scarcity of water has made it difficult to produce the Guinness drink.( Rebecca Ann Hughes, “Guinness, prosecco, palinka: Climate change is a threat to Europe’s most beloved tipples,” Euronews, 23 August 2024)
Users can delete default apps after Apple's compliance with DMA
On 23 August, Euronews informed that technology conglomerate Apple would now provide its users in Europe with the ability to delete apps like Safari and App Store. Apple announced via a post to developers that it would make changes to the browser choice screen, default apps, and app deletion for users in the EU in compliance with the Digital Market Act (DMA) regulations. There would be a Default Apps section and default settings for features like navigation, passwords, texts, and phone numbers present for users by the end of the year, although users would still be able to re-download the apps. It would also be easier to choose alternative browsers, and Apple customers will receive a list of browser options. The changes come after Apple was informed by the European Commission that its App Store rules prevented app developers from offering alternative avenues of content to consumers, violating the DMA. ( Pascale Davies, “Apple’s Europe users will be able to delete default apps such as Safari amid EU competition rules,” Euronews, 23 August 2024)
Beach concession control dispute between EU and Italy ends
On 23 August, Euronews published an article informing that the Government of Italy would be required to comply with EU regulations relating to the management of beach concessions from early 2025. The European Commission has accused Italy of lacking transparency and creating an effective monopoly of beach concessions with no competitive tendering. The beach concessions in Italy have been family-run businesses for decades, and have been accused of not allowing competitors into the market. Costs at beaches vary across Italy ranging from EUR 25 at basic establishments to over EUR 100 in fancy resorts like Capri. Estimates by the Italian Court of Auditors show that the beach businesses with an average revenue of about EUR 260,000 have been paying only about EUR 7600 for their concessions. Pietro Paganini, an economist accused Italian governments of protecting the beach operators for vote benefits. On the other hand, beach operators complain that they require compensation in exchange for their investments. (“Beach Wars: Are EU and Italy close to resolving beach concession feud?,” Euro News, 23 August 2024)
GEORGIA
Georgian Dream party threatens to ban opponents
On 23 August, Politico reported on Georgian Dream, the ruling party in Georgia had threat to ban more than half a dozen parties if it won the parliamentary elections in October. Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia made the threat, referring to opposition groups as 'criminal political forces'; and stating that all the pro-Western political groups in Parliament were 'one political force. ' Just days earlier, Georgian Dream had threatened to ban the United National Movement (UNM), the largest opposition group in the Parliament of Georgia. The threat comes amidst protests against the Georgian government over a bill that brands NGOs and media outlets with Western support as 'foreign agents. ' The bill has led to the European Union (EU) suspending talks on Georgian membership, as well as the US suspending funding. Tinatin Akhvlediani, a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies stated that banning the opposition would be the effective end of Georgian democracy, comparing it to governments in Belarus and North Korea. According to Tina Bokuchava, Chair of the UNM, the attempt to ban her party shows Georgian Dream has become a “Putin-style authoritarian government.” (Gabriel Gavin, “Georgian government goes ‘North Korea’ with bombshell plan to ban opposition parties,” Politico, 23 August 2024)
Thousands protest against Slovak government's policies
On 23 August, Politico reported on the developments in Slovakia, where hundreds took part in protests against the government. The protestors include opposition politicians, journalists and nonprofit employees alarmed at the government taking what they perceive to be an illiberal direction under Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia. Protests in the country have resumed after Fico, who survived an assassination attempt in May returned to public life. The resignation of Martina Simkovicova, Slovakian Minister for Culture was demanded, with demonstrators criticising her decisions to cut funding for independent art institutions and sack the National Theatre Director and Director of the National Gallery. Other contentious actions taken by the Fico administration include closing the special prosecutor's office dealing with corruption cases and revamping the public broadcaster Radio and Television Slovakia. This has led to fears that Slovakia is moving away from close ties with the West, and gravitating towards autocratic governments instead like in Hungary. Meanwhile, Fico believes he is being targeted for following a "sovereign and self-confident Slovak foreign policy. “(Eddy Wax and Csongor Koromi, “Slovakia’s Fico is back after being shot. So are the country’s protesters,” Politico, 23 August 2024)
GERMANY
Government announces plan to decarbonise industries
On 23 August, Euro News published an article informing about plans by the Federal Government of Germany towards decarbonising its industries. The German government is expected to invest EUR 3.3 billion in measures aimed at making industries more climate-friendly, as part of the plan to cut emissions to net zero by 2045. A program of "carbon contracts for difference" was started, in order to move towards more climate-friendly production methods. One of the proposed governmental measures is burying carbon underground at offshore sites. However, critics state that carbon storage is less effective compared to measures like using solar and wind energy. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany plans to start the programme as soon as next month, with companies given three months to submit projects for possible support. ( Ruth Wright, “Germany announces €3.3 billion plan for decarbonising industry, including underground carbon storage,” Euro News, 23 August 2024)