Photo : BBC/EPA
22 October 2024, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #966
By Advik S Mohan
THE EU
Moldova votes to join EU
On 21 October, an article in Politico informed Moldova had voted in favour of joining the EU. According to the results of a referendum on changing the Moldovan constitution to include EU membership, 50.3 per cent of voters supported changing the constitution while 49.7 per cent opposed it. The referendum results have provided the Government of Moldova with the power to include EU membership in the Moldovan constitution, and improved the chances of quick Moldovan accession to the EU. The referendum witnessed a total turnout of 99. 2 per cent. The victory for the “yes” camp was also due to overwhelming support from the diaspora, since it had been trailing to the “no” camp before the ballots from Moldovans living abroad were counted. Siegfried Muresan, a Member of the European Parliament from Romania and the Chair of the liaison committee on Moldovan accession to the EU stated the victory of the yes camp was a defeat for Russia and a victory for the people of the Republic of Moldova. Muresan also informed the EU would provide all required support for the EU accession process of Moldova. Maia Sandu, the President of Moldova stated “foreign forces” used cash and propaganda to influence the referendum results, which led to gains for the “no” camp. (Gabriel Gavin, “Moldova votes yes to joining EU by tiny margin,” Politico, 21 October 2024)
European Council meeting concludes in support of delivery of air defences to Ukraine
On 17 October, the European Council reported on the conclusions from a meeting of EU leaders. One key conclusion from the meeting was that EU leaders reiterated their commitment to a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter and the support of the Ukrainian government. Additionally, EU leaders also requested the Council to accelerate the delivery of air defence systems, missiles and ammunition systems to Ukraine and increase support for the defence industry of Ukraine. The leaders also welcomed the sanctioning of a loan and a loan cooperation mechanism for the support of Ukraine. The need for fair sharing and solidarity with G7 partners was also stressed upon. EU leaders also condemned Russian attacks upon the energy and civilian infrastructure of Ukraine and called for further action to integrate the energy systems of Ukraine and the EU. Another key conclusion from the meeting was the decision to continue with sanctions upon Russia and ensure the more effective enforcement of the same. The EU also stated its commitment towards imposing new sanctions and import tariffs on Russian and Belarussian products. EU leaders also stressed upon the need to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed by Russia. (‘European Council, 17 October 2024,” European Council, 17 October 2024)
European failure to develop technology poses challenge says former chairperson of Munich Security Conference
On 21 October, Wolfgang Ischinger, a veteran German diplomat and the former chairperson of the Munich Security Conference (MSC) stated the European failure to develop world-class technologies was the biggest long-term challenge to its future security. Ischinger stated in an interview that Europe suffered from a technological gap with China and the US, and meeting this gap needed to be at the top of the agenda. Ischinger also expressed doubts that the fragmented capital market and EU institutions could meet the challenge, despite plans by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission to improve the usage of technology in the European defence industry, The Munich Security Conference itself has tried to put technology at the forefront of weapons usage by the military, inviting top executives from technology conglomerates such as Microsoft and Facebook to promote the greater usage of technology for providing security and improving the military. ( Laurens Cerulus, “Europe’s tech gap is a major security problem, Ischinger says,” Politico, 21 October 2024)
FINLAND
Record number of exports in military and civilian weapons
On 21 October, yle reported that Finland had set a record for the number of military and civilian weapons exported. According to SaferGlobe, a peace and security think tank, Finland exported weapons worth EUR 333 million in 2023. The analysis by SaferGlobe also showed that the export of military grade arms amounted for EUR 192 million of the total exports, while civilian weapons were worth EUR 141 million. Europe accounted for the majority of military weapon exports, while the US, Canada and Australia accounted for the majority of civilian weapon exports. (“Finland’s arms exports hit all-time high,” yle, 21 October 2024)
FRANCE
Government bans Israeli booths and equipment in Paris defence show
On 16 October, Le Monde reported on the ban imposed on Israeli delegations from setting up any stands or exhibiting hardware during the Euronaval defence show. The organisers of Euronaval informed the Government of France had approved the participation of Israeli delegations only without any stand or exhibition of equipment. The organisers also informed Israeli companies and citizens could attend the defence show if they abided by the prior conditions. The ban comes amidst a dispute between the French government and the Government of Israel. Emmanuel Macron, the President of France stated the ban of weapon exports to Israel was the only way to stop the wars in the Middle East. Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defence of Israel criticised the remarks by Macron and the ban from Euronaval as a disgrace to the values of the free world. Gallant also alleged the decision by France aided Israel's enemies. (“France bans Israeli booths and equipment from defense show,” Le Monde, 16 October 2024)
POLAND
Prime Minister Tusk takes a harder stance on migration
On 21 October, Politico reported on Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland aggressive stance on the topic of migration to Poland. Tusk had informed the Government of Poland would stop recognizing requests for political asylum. Aleks Szczerbiak, a political scientist with the University of Sussex stated Tusk was trying to neutralise the issue of migration, viewing it as a threat to his political future. Tusk wants to replace Andrzej Duda, the incumbent President of Poland from the right-wing PiS party at the presidential elections in Poland next year. According to Szczerbiak, Tusk wanted to ensure his Civic Platform party was the party of national security before the presidential elections. However, Jaroslaw Fils, a political scientist at the Jagiellonian University stated Tusk needed to take concrete actions over the issue, if he wanted to improve his position over this issue. Szczerbiak warned of the danger that Tusk might be outstripped by the existing right-wing on the migration issue, as happened in the Netherlands. ( Jan Cienski, “Playing with ‘electoral rocket fuel’: How Poland’s Donald Tusk hopes to weaponize migration,” Politico, 21 October 2024)
RUSSIA
BRICS summit in Kazan to be "The largest foreign policy event"
On 21 October, The Moscow Times reported on the BRICS annual summit set to be held in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s republic of Tatarstan. Yuri Ushakov, Kremlin foreign policy aide had described the summit as “The largest foreign policy event ever held” in Russia. It will host plenty of high-profile guests as 24 of them are expected to arrive. Apart from the BRICS+ member states, Antonio Guterres, NATO’s Secretary General and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s President will also attend the meeting. Russia’s post-Soviet allies like Azerbaijan and Belarus have applied for a formal membership. However, Kazakhstan chose to “abstain” from the alliance according to its official spokesperson. Ushakov said that the BRICS+ members had differing views on the enlargement of the alliance. ( “Russia to Host Landmark BRICS Summit in Ongoing Bid to Reshape World Order,” The Moscow Times, 21 October 2024)
Myanmar-Russia holds second joint maritime security exercise
On 21 October, The Moscow Times reported reported on the “Second Myanmar-Russia joint maritime security exercise” (MARUMEX) conducted between 20 and 24 October. The three-day joint drill exercise aimed to defend against threats from air, sea and land along with maritime security measures. The last drill between the countries was held in November 2023. Four corvettes and a logistic vessel from Russia had arrived at Thilawa port in the Yangon region of Myanmar. According to a Southeast Asian daily, the Russian warships would conduct “harbor phase” exercises. However, no further details were provided. Earlier, the junta had informed that it would hold a live-fire maritime security exercise in the North Andaman Sea. Regarding this, it had restricted fishing boats and aircraft from travelling around the region. (“Russian Navy Ships Arrive in Myanmar for Joint Drills,” The Moscow Times, 21 October 2024)
THE UK
Climate Change Committee warns over shortage of nuclear power
On 21 October, Politico reported that the UK faced the prospect of a vastly reduced nuclear fleet. It was estimated that the country will have just one functional nuclear power plant by 2028. The independent organization Climate Change Committee stated the lack of new nuclear capacity posed a significant risk to the net zero climate goals and ambitions of the UK. The rapid decline of the nuclear capacity of the UK has been blamed upon the poor decisions and failures of successive UK governments. Both the Conservative and Labour parties blamed each other for the failure to build new nuclear plants and invest in the industry during their respective administrations. Additionally, French energy conglomerate EDF owned by the Government of France which is the majority owner in the five remaining nuclear power plants of the UK has faced accusations of running its projects late and with large budgets. Four of the EDF plants are also scheduled to close down in the next few years. According to experts, the UK is too reliant upon French energy, and the UK Government failed to provide required levels of funding into its own infrastructure. Tom Greatrex, the head of the Nuclear Industry Association lobby group stated it was essential now that the UK government take stronger actions vis-à-vis nuclear energy. ( Nicholas Earl, “Britain’s heading for a nuclear power crunch. Blame the French,” Politico, 21 October 2024)
UKRAINE
Ukrainians in Switzerland torn between going to war or living at home
On 21 October, swissinfo.ch informed about the mass mobilization law passed in Ukraine and its impact on the Ukrainian men living abroad in Switzerland. Due to a shortage of soldiers, the Government of Ukraine started the recall of Ukrainians living outside Ukraine to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The mobilization law applied to Ukrainians who received special S status from Switzerland after the Russian invasion and those who left Ukraine before the Russian annexation of Crimea as well. All Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are supposed to comply with the new law. In case they fail to comply with the law, they can face a fine and criminal charges. Maksym, a Ukrainian man living and working in Switzerland stated the Ukrainian government was trying to make life abroad hard for Ukrainian men who had not registered for military service. According to Maksym, high levels of corruption prevalent within the Ukrainian government and lack of adequate weapons for soldiers on the front lines reduced the motivation of young men to go fight. Dmytro, another Ukrainian man working and living in Switzerland stated Ukrainians who had lived abroad for years did not feel motivated to defend the country, and the government could not force them to return. Dmytro stated a fundamental reason behind the lack of motivation was that the Ukrainian government failed over the years to build a country or values to defend. ( Elena Servettaz, “Go to war or stay put? Ukrainian men in Switzerland face fresh dilemmas,” swissinfo.ch, 21 October 2024)