Photo : AP News
14 October 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #959
By Samruddhi Pathak and Advik S Mohan
THE EU
Turkey and Serbia to jointly produce drones
On 13 October, Aleksander Vucic, the President of Serbia, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, said that the two governments are considering plans to manufacture and produce military drones together. The plan comes after Turkey made a sale of unmanned aircrafts to Kosovo which sparked anger in Serbia. After the delivery of unmanned aircrafts, Serbia abandoned the purchase of Bayraktar military drones from Turkey. During the press conference Vucic said, “The Turkish military industry is significantly stronger than ours.” Erdogan is on a visit to friendly Balkan countries and has visited Albania as well. In Albania as well, he announced that Turkey will be donating Bayraktar military drones to Albania. The number was unspecified. Even Bosnia has expressed its interest in procuring the drones. Meanwhile, even NATO-member Romania has already incorporated Bayraktar TB2 UAVs into its military inventory. Serbia is also building deterrence. It has recently procured 12 Rafale jet fighters from France for USD three billion. The sale was controversial since Serbia has supported Russia through the war as Serbia refused to impose economic sanctions on Russia even after pressure from the EU. (Dusan Stojanovic, “Turkey and Serbia suggest they might jointly produce military drones,” The Associated Press, 13 October 2024)
UK needs to be clear about "resetting ties" with the EU, says Sandro Gozi
On 13 October, Sandro Gozi, the chair of the EU's delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary partnership assembly said that the UK needs to be clear about what it means by ‘resetting’ ties with the EU. Gozi is a member of France’s Democratic Movement party and is allied with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France. He said that he is hoping for more cooperation on foreign policy and security, the green transition and artificial intelligence. David Lammy, foreign minister of the UK, will be attending the EU’s foreign council meeting on 14 October. This is the first time a Labour minister will be meeting all EU ministers together. Lammy will also be holding bilateral talks with Josep Barell, the chair of the EU’s foreign ministers’ meeting. Lammy has also proposed a detailed plan for cooperation in security and foreign policy. The plan addresses issues like climate change, energy crisis, pandemics and irregular migration. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU, said that the UK’s willingness to compromise on the youth mobility agreement will be the litmus test for further cooperation. (Jennifer Rankin, “UK government must say what Brussels ‘reset’ means, says EU delegation head,” 13 October 2024)
FRANCE
Brandy manufacturers worried over Chinese tariffs
On 11 October, Reuters reported about the anxiety among Brandy producers in France due to recent tariffs imposed by China. French Brandy constitutes almost 99 per cent of total Brandy exports to China. Meanwhile, China is also investigating pork imports from the EU. Reuters has reported that wine producers feel like they have been held hostage by the EU’s imposition of EVs tariffs and China’s retaliatory measures. China has announced harsh import duties of 34 to 39 per cent EU imported wines and brandy. However, Anthony Brun, the chairman of the general union of Cognac winegrowers UGVC, said that the scope of the Brandy industry in France seemed bleak even before China had imposed taxes. Marc Fesneau, France's former agriculture minister, said that China is aiming at France through the imposition of tariffs. (Sybille de La Hamaide, “French brandy producers brace for impact of EU-China trade dispute,” Reuters, 11 October 2024)
GERMANY
Chancellor Scholz presents new tax breaks and investment support
On 13 October, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of the German Federation, presented a new agenda for tax breaks and investment support before the voters with federal elections due in September 2025. The proposal has been presented to counter rising inflation and unemployment in the country. Germany is also struggling with high energy costs and competition from the People’s Republic of China and the US. All parties of the coalition have proposed a plan to give income tax breaks to 95 per cent of German households. Minimum wages should also be increased to 15 euros per hour from the current rate of 12.5 euros per hour. Bonuses will also be provided for buying locally manufactured electric vehicles. (“German SPD lays out campaign for industry growth, job protection, tax breaks,” Reuters, 13 October 2024)
ICELAND
Prime Minister dissolves the parliament
On 13 October, Bjarni Benediktsson, the Prime Minister of Iceland, announced the dissolution of the parliament through a press conference. He said that there were growing disagreements between the three political parties that are a part of the ruling coalition. If Halla Tómasdóttir, the President of Iceland, accepts the motion, the parliament will be dissolved and snap elections will be held on 30 November. The governing coalition in Iceland consists of the Conservative Independence Party, the centre-right leaning Progressive Party and the left-leaning Greens party. The coalition has been in power since November 2021. However, it is facing pressure since the volcanic eruptions occurred last year displacing thousands of citizens. This resulted in high inflation and rising interest rates. (“Iceland's Prime Minister dissolves ruling three-party coalition, citing infighting,” Euronews, 13 October 2024)
LITHUANIA
Social Democrats emerge as the largest party in exit polls
On 14 October, exit pollsters released their statistics suggesting majority seats for the Social Democrats party. Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, the head of the party, said that she will try to form the government. The Social Democrats party had promised to hike taxes for rich individuals in Lithuania to counter inequality. It also promised to increase spending on healthcare. Lithuania has one of the lowest inflation rates in the EU and has seen a double digit growth rate. The current government led by Ingrida Šimonytė has also been supporting Ukraine through the war. It has provided military aid and EUR 153 million monetary aid this year. The voters were upset with the government due to the high influx of migrants from the Belarus border and strict measures that were imposed during the lockdown. The next phase of voting will take place on 27 October when each constituency will vote for one candidate from the top two candidates elected in this phase. (“Social Democrats take lead in Lithuania’s general election with 90% of votes counted,” Euronews, 14 October 2024)
MOLDOVA
Meta suspends a group of fake accounts targeting Russian speakers in Moldova
On 11 October, Meta removed fake accounts from its platforms that were criticising pro-EU parties in Moldova. The issue is sensitive because Moldova has presidential elections on 20 October. Meta said that it removed seven Facebook accounts, 23 pages, one group and 20 accounts on Instagram for violating its "coordinated inauthentic behaviour policy". The suspended accounts connect to a businessman Ilan Shor, leader of the banned political entity “Victory.” He currently operates in exile from Moscow. Meta said that its operations were around tracking Russian language media accounts. Meanwhile, even Moldovan police have been included in the case. The police searched the homes of leaders linked to Shor. Police have said that thousands of voters were paid money through accounts in a Russian bank to manipulate the vote. Shor was sentenced to 15 years in jail in absentia last year for paying USD one billion from Moldovan banks to unidentified accounts. He denies allegations of trying to bribe voters. (Supantha Mukherjee, “Meta removes fake accounts in Moldova ahead of presidential election,” Reuters, 14 October 2024)
NORWAY
Temporary border checks introduced over terror threats
On 13 October, the Norwegian police issued a statement informing that temporary border checks will be introduced from 22 October due to concerns over terror threats. The threats have arisen in the wake of escalation in the Middle East. The introduction of border check conflicts with EU border policies since Norway is a part of the Schengen area. The border-free Schengen area allows around 425 million EU and non-EU citizens to travel to Norway freely for tourism, educational and work purposes. Most EU countries are part of the Schengen area excluding Cyprus and Ireland. However, after Germany introduced border checks for six months, Norway has followed the same suit. Many experts suggest that this will lead to delay in border crossing of goods, affecting trade. However, the police have clarified that all vehicles and travellers will not be checked. Nancy Faeser, Interior Minister of Norway, said that the new border security measures were important to tackle the threat of Islamic terrorism. (Katy Dartford, “Norway introduces temporary border checks after raising its terror threat level,” Euronews, 13 October 2024)
POLAND
PM Tusk temporarily suspends right to asylum
On 12 October, Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, announced a new migration strategy to control irregular migration. During the meeting with other coalition parties, he said that Belarus and Russia are aiding human traffickers and people smugglers to abuse the right to asylum policy of Poland. Since 2021, Poland has been receiving an exponentially high number of refugees with origins from Africa and Middle East entering through Belarus, illegally. He has accused both countries of using these tactics to destabilise the EU bloc. Tusk has not made it clear how he will justify the move before the international community. Under international law, countries are obliged to offer people the right to claim asylum. During his speech, he said, “Poland must take back 100 per cent control over who comes to Poland.” Most migrants do not stay in Poland, they move to Germany instead. Recently, Poland built a five metre high steel fence along its border with Belarus. Meanwhile human rights groups have heavily criticised the move. (Adam Easton, “Poland to temporarily suspend right to asylum, PM Tusk says,” BBC, 13 October 2024)