Photo : The Independent
04 September 2024, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #928
By Samruddhi Pathak and Advik S Mohan
FRANCE
12 dead after migrant boat sinks in English Channel
On 03 September, an article in Deutsche Welle informed that at least 12 migrants had drowned after a boat capsized in the English Channel. Gerald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior of France, confirmed the news and informed that search and rescue missions involving government services like navy helicopters, the fire brigade, and military vessels were underway. It was informed by local authorities that several migrants had been saved, but others remained in a serious condition. Etienne Baggio, captain of the Minck vessel stated that the boat had been trying to cross from France into the United Kingdom when the Minck spotted it in difficulty and went to its aid before it broke up. This is the single deadliest incident involving migrants in the English Channel in 2024; with at least 25 migrants having died this year before the current incident, more than the entire total of 2023. Migrant aid campaign group Utopia 56 criticised the French authorities, stating that their policing was “ineffective” and contributing towards these tragedies occurring regularly. (“France: At least 12 dead after migrant boat capsizes,” Deutsche Welle, 03 September 2024)
THE EU
Politico evaluates Europe’s air defence
On 02 September, Russia bombarded Ukraine with at least 127 missiles and 109 drones. The bombardment has shifted the war capabilities’ focus towards ground-based air defence platforms donated to Ukraine by its Western allies. Politico has evaluated the merits of Patriots, an American-made air defence system. According to Fabian Hoffmann, a researcher on missile technology at the University of Oslo: “The Patriot is by far the most used system in Ukraine, and it has had a good track record.” Buyers of the Patriot seek a battlefield experience of the product. The Patriot is used by Israel, was used by the US during the Gulf War of 1991 and by the KSA against the Houthis. Meanwhile, the Franco-Italian-made SAMP/T system, has been used by the French Navy this year against the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. Despite being Europe-made, not a single European country has bought the defence system. Meanwhile, the US-made system is getting publicity through the Ukraine War. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, called it the most powerful system and nothing works better against ballistic missiles. (“Patriot games: How America is outgunning Europe on air defense,” Politico, 03 September 2024)
Hungary misses its deadline to pay the fine imposed by the ECJ
On 02 September, Hungary missed its first deadline to pay EUR 200 million to the European Commission. The fine was imposed by the European Court of Justice. The Commission has given a second payment date that is 17 September. If Hungary fails to abide by the second deadline as well, EUR 200 million will be deducted from the EU share allocated to the country. The fine was imposed due to Hungary’s breach of EU law based on the long-standing restrictions it has on asylum-seekers. The dispute first started in December 2020 when the ECJ asked the Hungarian government, led by Viktor Orban, to provide access to asylum application procedures to those seeking international protection. Hungary had been accommodating refugees in detention-like conditions. After Hungary ignored the 2020 ruling, the European Commission filed another case which resulted in the ECJ fine imposition. Meanwhile, Orban has described the ruling as outrageous. He said that the bureaucrats in the EU are worried more about illegal migrants than European citizens. (“Hungary misses first deadline to pay €200 million fine imposed by ECJ, Euronews, 02 September 2024)
Several contenders for posts in new European Commission
On 03 September, an article in Politico informed that several contenders were competing for the portfolios in the European Commission. 26 portfolios are scheduled to be announced by Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission next week. The names of the contenders jostling for key portfolios are listed out in the article. For the crucial Economy portfolio, the contenders include Raffaele Fitto, Piotr Serafin, Magnus Bruner, and Tomaz Vesel, Similarly, Valdis Dombrovskis and Thierry Breton are competing for the defence commissioner position. Christophe Hansen and Wopke Hoekstra are among the candidates for agriculture commissioner; while Hoekstra, Jessika Roswall, and Michael McGrath are in the fray for the trade portfolio. Similarly, Henna Virkkunen and Maria Luis Albuquerque are candidates for the tech portfolio; and the likes of Jozef Sikela and Julian Popov for the post of energy and climate commissioner. The new post of commissioner for enlargement is likely to be taken up by either Dombrovskis or Oliver Varhelyi, while the crucial portfolio of cohesion is expected to be taken up by Roxana Minzatu, Apostolos Tzizikostas or Ekaterina Zaharieva. ( Barbara Moens, Paul Dallison, Camille Gijs, Koen Verhelst, Paula Andres, Jacopo Barigazzi, Max Griera, Giovanna Faggionato, Victor Jack and Karl Mathiesen, “The frontrunners for the best jobs in von der Leyen’s next Commission,” Politico, 3 September 2024)
GERMANY
Refugee and asylum policy at crossroads
On 03 September, an article in Deutsche Welle News reported the debate around the refugee and asylum policy prevalent in Germany. Around 3.2 million individuals living in Germany at present arrived in the country as refugees, and 270,000 new asylum applications are expected in 2024. Many asylum applications have been rejected; while 500,000 new refugee applications are pending. Despite a directive by the Federal Ministry of the Interior for nearly 227,000 individuals to leave Germany; obstacles present with deportation have prevented the deportation of about 80 per cent of the 227,000 individuals. However, following a knife attack by a Syrian individual in the city of Solingen and the success of the anti-migration Alternative for Germany (AFD) in recently held state elections; the Federal Government of Germany is facing increasing pressure over its migration policies. After the Solingen attack, the German government announced several policy changes; such as making deportations easier by reducing the threshold for crimes required for deportation, concluding migration treaties with countries outside the EU, providing no financial support to asylum seekers in Germany if another EU nation is legally responsible for them. However, opposition parties like the AFD and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) are demanding even stricter action by the German government, such as abolishing the right to asylum in Germany and turning away refugees at the border. The German government has rejected these proposals as unconstitutional; although after the elections Christian Lindner, leader of the Free Democrats(FDP) a member of the German coalition government stated that he was willing to discuss changes to the German Constitution and European laws. While there is a debate over whether turning away migrants at the border would be legally possible; Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU believed it was possible. Merz cited Article 72 of the European Union Treaty with its provision on law and order as proof. (Sabine Kinkartz, “Refugee and asylum policy: Where is Germany heading?,” Deutsche Welle, 03 September 2024)
HUNGARY
VIKI defence institute gets new Director-General
On 03 September, an article in Hungary Today informed that a new Director-General had been appointed for the Defense Innovation Research Institute (VIKI). Dr Gergely Nemeth was appointed to the post by Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the Minister of Defence for Hungary. Nemeth has substantial experience; having held posts such as Deputy State Secretary for Defence Policy and International Relations in the Government of Hungary, and the Hungarian representative for defence planning and force development in the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO). Nemeth also led NATO’s Future Research Group, which provides strategic insights to the alliance on adapting to emerging threats. Nemeth’s appointment is expected to enhance the role played by VIKI in innovations and collaborations with European and international partners, and allied systems. VIKI is also expected to focus on increasing efficiency within the evolving defence industrial environment; and strengthen its research, development, and military science efforts under Nemeth’s leadership. (“New Director General of Defense Innovation Institute to Advance Military Research,” Hungary Today, 03 September 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Government dismisses ECHR climate ruling
On 03 September, the Swiss Government was widely criticised by environmental groups for setting inadequate targets concerning global warming. The Swiss government has proposed the Secure Energy Bill which was approved by the public and will be in action by January 2025. The bill lays the foundations for expanding renewable sources of energy in Switzerland. However, Greenpeace Switzerland, an environmental group, said that the government’s targets are insufficient to reduce the global warming rate to 1.5 degrees Celsius. As per the report by Swissinfo, Switzerland’s targets are inconsistent with limiting global warming. So far, there has been very limited independent evaluation of the policy initiatives of the Swiss government on global warming. (“ECHR ruling: research group highlights Swiss climate shortcomings,” Swissinfo, 03 September 2024)
Russia’s growing gold imports despite EU ban
On 03 September, Swissinfo published an analysis on Russian gold still being an important entity being imported by Switzerland and how the gold imports finance the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russia’s economic growth rate in 2023 was 3.6 per cent while facing 16,000 sanctions. Even in 2024, the growth rate of Q1 was 5.4 per cent and four per cent in Q2. The demand for gold in the Global Central Bank has been rising since 2022. Since early 2022, Russia has been trying to link the Rouble to gold due to ongoing sanctions and BRICS countries are searching for a common currency. Gold hit the highest price of USD 2,530 per troy in August 2024. This has been helping Russia’s economy. Even though Switzerland imposed sanctions on Russian gold, Russia continued to export it as the stocks were stored in vaults in London before the conflict began. This has raised concerns over what Swissinfo calls “gold laundering.” The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), the standard-setting body for the global wholesale market for precious metals, used to have six Russian refineries among its members. Therefore, the gold is still present there. (“Explainer: Why Switzerland remains a ‘big buyer’ of Russian gold,” Swissinfo, 03 September 2024)
SWEDEN
Farmers increasingly using chemical-free methods for seed treatment
On 04 September, an article in Euronews wrote on the increasing usage of heart-treated seeds as a chemical-free alternative for pest control. Kenneth Alness, a former researcher came up with ‘ThermoSeed’ which utilises sharp blasts of steam, to kill pests and preserve the seeds. Alness stated that a farming book detailing how farmers used hot water to treat seeds provided the inspiration for his idea of using steam for pest control; although it took years of testing to deliver yields comparable to chemically treated seeds without the need for drying. Steam requires a tailored approach for each seed type, after which testing to ensure successful germination before full-scale treatment follows. Swedish agricultural cooperative Lantmannen began using ThermoSeed in 2008, and this has prevented the usage of approximately 3,000 cubic metres of chemicals. While the farming community is often sceptical of non-chemical solutions, ThermoSeed has proven to be a popular success. This innovation has already been successful in Alness’s home country of Sweden and neighbouring Norway. Alness now plans to address the remaining challenges; like the high cost of ThermoSeed equipment and the need to scale down to appeal to smaller markets like Asia. (Ines Trindade Pereira, “This chemical- free method for treating seeds is winning over sceptical farmers in Sweden and beyond,” Euronews, 04 September 2024)