Photo : Cyprus Mail
By Advik S Mohan
CYPRUS
Inflation declines 1.5 per cent for August
On 05 September, Cyprus Statistical Service or Crysat reported on the decline in inflation in Cyprus to 1.5 per cent for August. As per the report, there was a simultaneous increase in Consumer Price Index (CPI) by 0.37 units in August 2024, reaching 118.10 units. According to Crysat, the CPI was the “official index for the estimation of inflation.” Between January and August 2024, the CPI has risen by two per cent compared to 2023. The Crysat stated that inflationary pressures were driven by the food and hospitality sectors while transport costs had a downward influence. The biggest CPI increases; as compared to 2023 were shown in the categories of restaurants and hotels which witnessed a 5.6 per cent increase whereas food and non-alcoholic beverages saw a 3.4 per cent increase. The largest month-on-month increase was seen in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category with 1.7 per cent growth. Food and non-alcoholic beverages had the biggest positive impact on the CPI rise with 0.79 units added; followed by 0.58 units added by restaurants and hotels. Food and non-alcoholic beverages also contributed most to the month-on-month increase with 0.41 units increasing. Meanwhile, transport had the most negative effect, reducing the CPI by 0.40 units. Crysat stated that the CPI compilation measured the price changes of consumer goods and services used by households, over time. The national CPI of Cyprus specifically covers consumption expenses of specific goods and services of resident households in Cyprus and households intending to live in the country for at least one year. ( “Cyprus inflation decelerates to 1.5 per cent in August,” Cyprus Mail, 05 September 2024)
MALTA
Greenhouse gas emissions rise to nine per cent
On 05 September, Times of Malta reported on Malta’s fastest greenhouse gas emission rise in the EU. Emissions in Malta increased by almost nine per cent compared to 2023. Malta is one of only seven countries in the EU that failed to reduce their emissions. According to data from Eurostat, the statistical agency of the EU, emissions in Malta have increased in almost all quarters over the past decade. Since March 2023, Malta has also recorded the most emissions in the EU in every single quarter; although the present emission increase rate of 8.8 per cent is lower than the 9.7 per cent recorded at the end of last year. However, Malta’s rise is contrary to overall trends in the EU. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the bloc has reduced by four per cent since early 2023; with countries like Bulgaria and Germany cutting their emissions by over five per cent. ( Neville Borg, “Greenhouse gas emissions rising fastest in Malta, EU data shows,” Times of Malta, 05 September 2024)
MIGRATION
Increase in asylum seekers and refugees
On 04 September, Euronews reported on the continued increase in the number of refugees and asylum seekers in Europe. Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Refugee Agency showed that the number of refugees and asylum applicants in Europe in 2023 had increased, driven by conflicts. The highest number of refugees to Europe have come from Ukraine and Syria; with nearly six million Ukrainians and over 1.3 million Syrians coming as refugees. The data also revealed that Syrians and Afghans continued to be the largest groups of asylum-seekers, as 209,000 Syrians and 155,000 Afghans submitted asylum applications. Germany alone received 117,363 asylum applications from Syrians and 61,000 from Afghans. Coastal Schengen area nations like Italy and Croatia have been the main point of entry for refugees and migrants; with Italy witnessing the arrival of 27,960 migrants just between January and March of 2023. This has prompted greater action on border controls from some European countries; such as Italy’s agreement to send single men awaiting asylum to Albania. There has also been a political impact; since far-right parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD) have grown in popularity capitalizing on security threats following the rise in illegal immigration. (Kamuran Samar, “Number of refugees and asylum seekers in Europe keeps rising, data shows,” Euronews, 04 September 2024)
Lebanon and Cyprus send back Syrian refugees
On 04 September, Human Rights Watch published a report on the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Government of Cyprus collaborating to prevent Syrian refugees from entering Europe. The report titled: “I Can’t Go Home, Stay Here, or Leave’: Pushbacks and Pullbacks of Syrian Refugees from Cyprus and Lebanon,” informed that the Lebanese army was deporting Syrian refugees back to their home country; and Cypriot security forces were doing the same with Syrian refugees entering Cyprus by boat. These actions were taken despite the threat of returning Syrian refugees facing persecution in their homeland. Nadia Hardman, researcher at Human Rights Watch stated that the Government of Lebanon was violating the prohibition on returning refugees who might face persecution. According to Hardman, the Government of Cyprus was also violating this prohibition by sending refugees back to Lebanon, from where they might be deported to Syria. Lebanon was provided with at least EUR 16.7 million in funding for border security projects by the EU and its member states between 2020 and 2023. The EU also allocated a EUR one billion package till 2027 to Lebanon, including money to security forces alongside equipment and training for border management and tackling smuggling. Hardman stated that the EU must establish independent mechanisms to ensure human rights are adhered to in Lebanese border control operations. Meanwhile, authorities in Cyprus have also collectively expelled hundreds of Syrian refugees without allowing access to asylum procedures. A Syrian woman refugee interviewed by Human Rights Watch stated that officers of the Cypriot Coast Guard “started grabbing and shoving” Syrian refugees onto a return vessel to Lebanon. Refugees expelled back to Syria face the dual threat of detention by the Syrian Army; as well as extortion by armed men to be smuggled back to Lebanon. Dire socio-economic conditions in Lebanon compel Syrians to attempt to leave Lebanon for Europe. According to the General Directorate of General Security of Lebanon, it arrested or returned 821 Syrian refugees on 15 boats between 01 January 2022 and 01 August 2024. One case involved the Lebanese Army expelling Syrians back to their country via the Wadi Khaled crossing, after rescuing them from a sinking boat. Refugees interviewed by Human Rights Watch also stated that the Cypriot Coast Guard used brutal tactics. According to Human Rights Watch, these expulsions violate the principle of non-refoulement or not returning refugees to countries where they are liable to face persecution. (“Lebanon/Cyprus: Refugees Pulled Back, Expelled, Then Forced Back to Syria,” Human Rights Watch, 04 September 2024)
REGIONAL
BSF debate on NATO’s deterrence
On 03 September, an article in The Slovenia Times informed that a panel debate at the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) had discussed the future of the NATO. According to the panel debate, deterrence and increased investments would be crucial for NATO going forward. Angus Lapsley, Assistant Secretary General of NATO stated that the alliance needed to push back against the growing intensity of Russian actions; and show that it would hurt Russia in case of a conventional attack by investing in money, people, and industrial capacity. Mevlut Cavusoglu, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs for Turkiye, stated that NATO needed to establish a better dialogue with Southern and middle powers to adapt itself to a multipolar world. According to Cavusoglu, NATO also needed better cooperation with Asia, due to shared security concerns. Damir Crncec, State Secretary of the Defence Ministry of Slovenia informed that his country would meet the goal of investing two per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in defence, and stated that military and dual-use capabilities needed to be strengthened. Meanwhile, Alexandre Escorcia from the French Ministry of the Armed Forces stated that the invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia had led to a stronger NATO; and that the alliance would need to consider the security concerns of all its members now. According to Robin S Quinville, Director of the Global Europe program at the Wilson Centre; the Ukraine war had made NATO understand the importance of effective deterrence; including having robust ground-level capabilities and drones. Valerio de Luca, Chairman of the Academy for Innovation, Economic Development and Security stated that Europe needed to invest more in defence. ( “NATO fit for future, deterrence will remain key, Bled forum told,” The Slovenia Times, 03 September 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Hungary and Bahrain to ink closer ties
On 05 September, Hungary Today reported on Peter Szijjarto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary visit to Bahrain to forge ties. Szijjarto met Abdullaitf bin Rashid al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain to discuss the possibilities for greater cooperation between their countries. Szijjarto stated that both ministers agreed that peace must be pursued through dialogue rather than war, with arms transfer making the situation worse. In the joint statement, the ministers agreed on combating terrorism and improving stability in Europe and the Middle East. Szijjarto also urged free trade talks and visa agreements to continue, and greater cooperation between the EU and the Gulf. An important point raised by Szijjarto in his visit related to economic partnerships with the Foreign Minister informing that Festipay, the Hungarian event management provider was investing in Bahrain substantially including at the Formula 1 race. Additionally, negotiations for an investment by the oil company MOL into environmentally friendly oil extraction and potentially building a rubber bitumen plant in Bahrain also took place. (“Hungary and Bahrain Strengthen Ties Through Cooperation on the Fields of Industry and Economy,” Hungary Today, 03 September 2024)
US fighter jets reach Finland for the first time
On 05 September, Forces news reported on fighter jets from the US Air Force (USAF) had landed in Finland. Two F-35 Lightning II aircraft from the 493rd Fighter Squadron of the USAF successfully landed on a 30-metre-wide strip of the Hosio Highway in an exercise part of the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy for enhancing survivability and adaptability by operating from unconventional locations. Lieutenant Colonel Dustin Merritt, Director of Operations for the 493rd Fighter Squadron stated that this was the first step towards implementing ACE, and would make the relationship between the US and Finland stronger moving forward. While the narrow highway landing strip posed a challenge since pilots had to accurately land and decelerate, it showcased how the F-35 could be used in difficult environments that reflect real-world scenarios. The F-35 has three main variants; A, B and C. The F-35 A is the conventional variant designed for conventional landings; while B and C are utilized for short take offs and carrier landings respectively. ( “USAF marks a first in Finland as F-35A Lightning II jets come in to land on highway,” Forces News, 05 September 2024)