Photo : Mikheil Kavelashvili sworn as Georgia’s president. Source: Irakli Gedenidze/Pool/Reuters
By Samruddhi Pathak
BELGIUM
Health minister announced ban on sale of vapes
On 29 December, Frank Vandenbroucke, the health minister of Belgium, announced that the country will outlaw the sale of vapes outside pharmacies and implement restrictions on electronic cigarettes. He said that inexpensive vapes had turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. A blanket ban on e-cigarettes will harm the industry. However, Vandenbroucke said that alternative options and solutions are still available. He also demanded tougher measures from other EU members. E-cigarettes also cause environmental damage which is why it is important to ban them. (Daniel Bellamy, “Belgium will be first EU state to ban the sale of vapes,” Euronews, 29 December 2024)
CROATIA
Polls for presidential elections predict Milanovic’s win
On 29 December, the State Electoral Commission announced initial results of the first round of the presidential elections and Zoran Milanovic, the current president of Croatia, is currently leading the race. Preliminary results from Sunday’s voting showed that based on results from nearly 52 per cent of polling stations, Milanovic, Social Democratic Party’s candidate, was winning 50.1 per cent of the votes, far ahead of his main challenger, Dragan Primorac, the candidate of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), with 22.3 per cent. A candidate needs to secure more than 50 per cent of votes to avoid a second round of voting. Milanovic also had differences with Andrej Plenkovic, the Prime Minister of Croatia, the government had heavily criticised NATO and the EU over their involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war. (“Incumbent Milanovic to win Croatia’s presidential election: Early results,” Al Jazeera, 30 December 2024)
GEORGIA
New President takes office while protests continue
On 29 December, Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player turned far-right politician, held his swearing-in ceremony as the President of Georgia. Salome Zourabichvili, the former President, has said she will leave the palace but remain the country’s legitimate officeholder. It was the first time in the history of Georgia that the inauguration of a President was held behind closed doors in the plenary chamber inside the parliament. During the inauguration ceremony, there were at least 2,000 protesters outside the parliament. Zourabichvili stood with the protesters outside the parliament stating that she is the only legitimate leader of Georgia. There were questions about the fairness of the presidential elections in Georgia. Protesters are also accusing of external involvement and influence i.e., Russia. Joe Wilson, a US Congressman from the Republican Party, has invited Zourabichvili to attend Donald Trump’s inauguration next month and called her “The only legitimate leader in Georgia.” Mikheil Kavelashvili was the only candidate on the ballot paper. Protests are continuing which started on 28 November after Georgian Dream, the ruling party, suspended talks on EU accession. (Angelique Chrisafis, “Georgia’s pro-west president says she remains ‘only legitimate president’ as new leader sworn in,” The Guardian, 29 December 2024)
RUSSIA
Gazprom to halt gas supply to Moldova from 01 January
On 29 December, Russia’s state-owned gas company, Gazprom, announced that it will halt supply of gas to Moldova from 01 January 2025. Currently, Russia supplies about two billion cubic meters of natural gas per year to Moldova. The fuel pipeline goes through Transnistria, a region which is controlled by Russia-backed powers. Cutting off the gas supply will disrupt and cause an energy crisis in the country. The Russian government stated that the step has been taken after Moldova refused to comply with the new debt regulations of the company. The government of Moldova is considering implementing a 60-day state of emergency to deal with the energy crisis. Dorin Recean, Prime Minister of Moldova, called the announcement an “oppressive tactic” being used by Russia. He also accused Russia of using energy as a political weapon against Moldova and other dependent countries. (“Russia to halt gas deliveries to Moldova from January 1,” Deutsche Welle, 29 December 2024)
Azerbaijan accuses Russia of shooting down its jetliner
On 29 December, Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan, said that the plane which had crashed the previous week was accidently shot down by Russia. The plane was flying from Baku to Grozny in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, the Russian government has said that state authorities should refrain from making any hypothetical statements. 38 passengers were killed in the crash. Aliyev said that Azerbaijan has three demands from Russia. First, Russia should apologize to Azerbaijan for causing the crash. Second, Russia should admit that there was a mistake made on the part of Russian authorities. Third, punish the guilty individuals and bring them to criminal responsibility and pay compensation to the Azerbaijani state, the injured passengers and crew members. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson of the Russian government, said that Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, spoke to Aliyev over telephone but did not provide any details. (“Azerbaijan's president says Russia unintentionally shot down crashed jetliner,” France24, 29 December 2024)
REGIONAL
Poland to hold EU presidency from 01 January
On 27 December, Deutsche Welle reported on the upcoming presidency of Poland in EU parliament after Hungary as it is a six-monthly rotating presidency. After Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, made pro-Russia decisions on a domestic level and implemented restrictions on HUngary’s immigration policies, Poland’s presidency is expected to smooth. Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, was the head of the European Council from 2014 to 2019. Therefore, he understands the Council and European politics. Through his speeches, Tusk has also been asking the EU to adopt eastern European countries’ security policies. Poland currently allocated 4.5 per cent of its GDP to defence and aims to increase it to 4.75 per cent in 2025. (Jacek Lepairz, “Poland prepares to succeed Hungary at EU helm,” Deutsche Welle, 27 December 2024)
UK and EU plan to reset ties in 2025 says report in BBC
On 29 December, the BBC published a report on developments in the UK-EU ties. Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, has been invited to an informal summit of EU leaders scheduled in February 2025. The focus of the February meeting is future security and defence co-operation. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's, the President of the US, re-election has raised concerns regarding the US’ potential drift away from NATO and reduced military aid to Ukraine. He has also announced his intentions to increase tariffs for EU and UK exports. After Brexit, both the UK and the EU had economic difficulties and lesser influence in international order. In 2024, David Lammy, Foreign Secretary of the UK, had attended a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers and Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the UK, had given a speech at a summit of EU finance ministers. Keir Starmer has also visited Brussels to meet Ursula von der Leyen. An UK-EU Summit has also been scheduled for the Spring session in 2025. Recent research suggested that EU interests noted there were "limited economic gains on offer" because of the UK ruling out rejoining the EU's customs union or single market or accepting the free movement. According to the BBC, The EU will push hard for long term fishing rights in UK waters. The EU also wants a Youth Mobility Scheme, allowing 18-30 year olds to work or study in the UK or in the EU for up to three years, paying local fees at university if they choose they are a student. Migration is another important issue. (Katya Adler, “UK and EU look to 2025 for reset, but with little room for trade-offs,” BBC, 30 December 2024)
EU summary report indicates its achievement in renewable energy, agriculture and integration in 2024
On 29 December, the EU published a summary of its policies implemented and achievements in 2024. Bulgaria and Romania are in the concluding stage of becoming members of the EU in 2025. This will allow their citizens to travel without restrictions in the EU. In the first six months, 50 per cent of households’ energy came from renewable sources. The EU has proposed plans to reduce carbon emissions by 55 per cent by 2030. In December 2024, the EU proposed laws to improve farmers’ position in supply chains and unfair trade practices. The EU also deployed firefighting fleets to tackle wildfires in Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Albania, and North Macedonia. They also mobilised support for Austria, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina when devastating floods struck the public. The EU also launched a new financial support of EUR 50 billion. Meanwhile, Ukraine has already received EUR 16.1 billion of this support in 2024. The EU also coordinated the delivery of more than 120,000 vaccines to support the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). (“2024: How was it?”, The European Commission, accessed: 30 December 2024)
EU proposes plan to suspend EU visa for Georgian diplomats
On 29 December, in response to the violent crackdown on protesters, the European Commission proposed to suspend the visa-free travel regime for Georgian diplomats and officials. The protests began in late November after Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, unexpectedly announced that his government would not pursue EU membership talks until 2028, despite an obligation in the Constitution that urges the state bodies to "take all measures within the scope of their competences" to ensure Georgia's integration in the EU. In December, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU, tabled a proposal to sanction Georgian officials responsible for the crackdown and use of violence against the protesters. But the plan was vetoed by Hungary and Slovakia, who said that it was an interference in domestic affairs. The suspension will only be limited to holders of diplomatic and service passports which means that only those individuals who are working for state institutions will need to obtain a visa. Georgians have been travelling to the EU without a visa since 2017. It was part of a strategic approach to deepen ties with the Eastern neighbourhood, which also applied to Moldova and Ukraine. As a result, Georgian nationals can enter the Schengen Area and stay for 90 days without applying for a visa. (Jorge Liboreiro, “Brussels moves to suspend visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats as protests continue,” Euronews, 29 December 2024)