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By Advik S Mohan
RUSSIA
South African president calls Russia as a “valued ally” in BRICS
On 23 October, RT reported on the statements made by Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit held in Kazan. He called Russia a “valued ally” and “friend” who supported the country during apartheid. He said: “We’re really delighted to be here and to know that we are going to have important discussions here in Kazan within the BRICS family.” Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President said that Russia-South Africa relations were based on “comprehensive strategic partnership, equality, and mutual respect.” He added that the countries aimed to maintain a “fair and multipolar world order.” He also called for an expansion in mutual trade and investment by pointing out the three per cent increase in January- August in 2024. (“Russia is a valued ally – South African president,” RT, 23 October 2024)
THE EU
Investigation into misuse of EU funds remains caught up in bureaucratic wrangle
On 23 October, Politico reported on an investigation by the EU into the failure of a EUR 46 million waste treatment plant project in Cyprus remained caught up in a bureaucratic gridlock. The plant was run by Medcon & DB Technologies J.V., a Cypriot-Canadian jointly run waste contractor which faces accusations from the Government of Cyprus of failing to meet the terms of its contract while operating the plant. The EU Anti-Fraud Office or OLAF was responsible for the investigation into the plant. After its investigation, OLAF sent a report to the Directorate-General for Regional Development(DG REGIO), and concluded that DG REGIO had the authority to grant Medcon access to its report. However, DG REGIO argued to the contrary that it was the responsibility of member states to handle cases related to budget implementation. With little clarity over who is supposed to handle the procedures, Medcon stated the situation challenged the effectiveness of EU inter-institutional collaboration, and the will to follow through a completed investigation and apportion responsibility for acts of fraud. Balazs Ujvari, the European Commission spokesperson for budget stated the European Commission was ultimately responsible for executing the EU budget, while EU member states were primarily responsible for the sound management of EU funds. (Marianne Gros, “Brussels ducks responsibility for Cyprus waste scandal,” Politico, 23 October 2024)
Agriculture ministers refuse CAP spending reform
On 22 October, Politico reported that agriculture ministers from EU member states had pushed back on changing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) followed by the EU. All the EU member states except Romania agreed that the CAP still had strategic importance. The Romanian opposition stems out of problems with the unequal distribution of subsidies. The agriculture ministers stated the EU farm budget must continue to exist and remain an independent policy in terms of farm subsidies. The assertion comes amidst plans by the EU to merge the CAP and 500 other programmes into one single programme which will determine spending on sectors such as farm subsidies and social housing. Additionally, payouts will be conditional on reforms like organic farming carried out by countries. Istvan Nagy, the Minister of Agriculture of Hungary stated that changing the support and financing for the CAP would damage the livelihood of farmers and food security. Nagy also expressed concerns that the farm budget would be used to finance other objectives. Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture also supported keeping the CAP at the centre. However, divisions persist between the agriculture ministers over providing equal subsidies. Countries like Italy are reluctant over equal subsidies since they will have to reduce their share of the budget. (Paula Andres and Bartosz Brzezinski, “EU farm ministers reject push to reform CAP spending,” Politico, 22 October 2024)
AUSTRIA
Social Democrats and OVP exclude far-right from the coalition despite election victory
On 23 October, the BBC informed Alexander Van Der Bellen, the President of Austria had requested Karl Nehammer, the incumbent Chancellor of Austria and leader of the People’s Party (OVP) to form a coalition government. Van Der Bellen requested the OVP to form the government despite the Freedom Party receiving the most votes in the September elections. Van Der Bellen stated Hebert Kickl, the leader of the Freedom Party could not find a coalition partner ready to offer him the post of Chancellor. The President informed he had asked Nehammer to hold coalition talks with the Social Democrats party. The OVP had come second in the elections with 26.3 per cent while the Social Democrats finished third with 21 per cent. The Freedom Party received nearly 29 per cent. Nehammer informed the OVP and Social Democrats would require a third partner in the coalition to ensure a stable parliamentary majority. Meanwhile, Kickl accused Van Der Bellen of tampering with the established procedures of government formation in Austria by not handling the responsibility of forming the government to the election winner. (Bethany Bell, “Austria far right shunned for coalition despite winning election,” BBC, 23 October 2024)
TURKEY
Terrorist attack in Ankara
On 23 October, a terrorist attack was carried out against the Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. (TUSAS) facilities in the Turkish capital of Ankara. Ali Yerlikaya, the Minister of the Interior of Türkiye informed that three individuals were killed in the attack, and two terrorists were neutralized. TUSAS is responsible for the maintenance on F-16 fighter jets in Türkiye and the sale of its own systems like military and training aircraft. Yilmaz Tunc, the Minister of Justice of Turkiye stated the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched a judicial investigation into the attack. Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also expressed support for Türkiye after the terror attack. ( Elena Giordano, Joshua Posaner and Stuart Lau, “Deadly terrorist attack strikes key defense company in Turkey,” Politico, 23 October 2024)
REGIONAL
UK and Germany defence ministers state Europe must be responsible for its own security
On 23 October, Politico reported on John Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence of the UK and Boris Pistorius, the Federal Minister of Defence of Germany stated that Europe needed to take greater measures to ensure its security. Healey and Pistorius made the comments while signing a new defence agreement between the Government of the UK and the Federal Government of Germany. The agreement covers areas like joint missile development, extra exercises in the Baltic and hosting rights for submarine-fighting planes in Scotland. It comes amidst fears in Europe over the potential implications of the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency. Trump had stated he would encourage Russia to attack NATO member states not contributing enough to the alliance, and has refused to commit support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. Healey informed doubts over the extent of the role of the US in Europe meant Europe needed to take greater initiative and leadership within the NATO alliance. He also stated the defence pact sent a strong message to Europe's adversaries. Pistorius informed the agreement would lead to more security in Europe. (Andrew McDonald, “UK and Germany: Europe must take responsibility for its own security,” Politico, 23 October 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Dispute between EU and Azerbaijan over human rights escalates
On 23 October, Politico reported that a dispute between the EU and the Government of Azerbaijan over matters of human rights had escalated. The present dispute began after Nicolas Schmit, the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights stated the COP29 climate conference scheduled in Azerbaijan next month must be an opportunity for Azerbaijan to show its commitment towards international human rights obligations. Schmit also demanded the release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan like Gubad Ibadoghlu and Bahruz Samadov. Meanwhile, some Members of the European Parliament demanded the EU scrap an energy deal signed with Azerbaijan, alleging that it allowed Russia to launder its fossil fuels through Azerbaijan. In response, Hikmet Hajiyev, the Head of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan accused the European Commission and European Parliament of being influenced by the government of Azerbaijan's rival Armenia. Hajiyev accused the Government of Armenia of carrying out a PR and lobbying campaign against Azerbaijan. He also stated the EU needed to deal with human rights abuses within the bloc rather than preaching to others. (Gabriel Gavin, “Azerbaijan, EU human rights feud escalates as COP29 looms,” Politico, 23 October 2024)
US ambassador to NATO expresses concerns over EU protectionism
On 22 October, Politico reported on Julianne Smith, the US Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) statement on concerns over the buy local policy of the EU vis a vis the purchase of weapons. According to Smith, the EU needed to focus on the cheapest way to get weapons in the shortest timeline possible rather than focusing on having only European weapons. Smith stated that countries needed to be allowed to buy weapons from wherever they wanted, including outside the EU. Smith also expressed her view that this type of protectionism would not help ensure large levels of weapons purchases to countries in trouble spots such as Ukraine. Smith also informed the US would continue to provide support to NATO, irrespective of the result of the presidential election. However, she also stated the US would not provide NATO membership for Ukraine immediately. (Stuart Lau, “US envoy to NATO questions EU’s ‘buy local’ strategy on weapons,” Politico, 22 October 2024)
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