Photo : Source: The Wall Street Journal
By Samrudhi Pathak
REGIONAL
EU-Japan strategic partnership enters into force
On 01 January, the first-ever bilateral framework agreement between the EU and its member states and Japan, the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), entered into force. On 17 July 2018 the EU and Japan signed the agreement in Tokyo. The European Parliament gave its consent on 12 December 2018, and on 5 April 2024, the ratification procedures of the agreement by member states were finalised. A joint committee will coordinate the overall partnership providing a forum to discuss all the issues covered in the agreement. In addition, under the agreement, a dispute settlement procedure will be set up to deal with possible disagreements. The aim of the strategic partnership agreement is to strengthen the multilateral and rules-based global order having the UN at its core, and defend joint values and principles such as: the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, open markets, free and fair trade. (“EU-Japan strategic partnership: framework agreement enters into force,” Council of European Union, 01 January 2025)
Italy’s detention centres in Albania left empty
On 01 January, Politico reported on the failure of Georgia Meloni’s flagship programme to tackle illegal migration i.e., introduction of detention centres in Albania. In October, the first 16 migrants, from Bangladesh and Egypt, arrived at the centers on an Italian warship. However, within seven days, all 16 were returned to Italy after immigration judges with the Rome tribunal declared the scheme null and void. In April 2024, the Italian government allocated €65 million for the construction of the two centers and another EUR 2.5 million for the expenses of the Italian staff in 2024. Overall, the government estimated it would spend around EUR 680 million over the next five years on maintaining and running the centers. The average pay of an officer is less than EUR 2,000 in Italy, those stationed in Albania can earn up to EUR 6,000. The President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen praised the project and called it “an innovative solution,” asking other EU leaders to draw “lessons from the Italy-Albania protocol.” However, these detention centers are now empty since no admissions have taken place so far. (Elena Giordano and Una Hajdari, “Meloni’s Albanian migrant detention centers are now ghost towns,” Politico, 01 January 2025)
Nuclear talks between Iran, France, Germany and the UK to be held on 13 January
On 01 January, Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that the new round of talks between Iran, France, Germany and the UK will be held in Geneva on 13 January. On 17 December, France, Germany and the UK accused Iran of growing its stockpile of high-enriched uranium to “unprecedented levels” without “any credible civilian justification”. They have also raised the possibility of restoring sanctions against Iran to keep it from developing its nuclear programme. Media houses have also reported that Iran is “dramatically” accelerating its enrichment of uranium to up to 60 percent purity, closer to the roughly 90 percent level that is weapons grade. Iran has cited its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes to procure nuclear power. After the US President Donald Trump had exited that 2015 Nuclear Pact in 2018, Iran rebuilt its stockpiles of enriched uranium, refined it to higher fissile purity and installed advanced centrifuges to speed up output. The 13 January talks will take place one week before Trump’s return to the White House. (“Iran to hold nuclear talks with France, UK, Germany on January 13: Report,” Al Jazeera, 01 January 2025)
Hungary loses entitlement to European aid
On 01 January, the European Commission said that Hungary had lost its entitlement to European Union aid worth around EUR one billion due to rule of law breaches. The EU had urged Hungary to change its laws in order to tackle conflicts of interest and corruption. In 2022, the EU started "conditionality" proceedings against Hungary. The EU said it wants to block payments because of alleged infringements of public procurement rules. It said there was a lack of control and transparency.Hungary then agreed to undertake reforms which allowed some funds to be unblocked, however a sum of EUR 19 billion remained frozen. In a report published in July, the European Commission concluded that Hungary did not meet EU democratic standards. Most notable in its failings were said to be corruption, political financing, conflicts of interest and media independence. Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, also shares political affinity with the US President Donald Trump. (“EU denies Hungary a billion euros after reform failures,” DW News, 01 January 2025)
MOLDOVA
Faces energy crisis on cutdown of energy supply from Russia
On 01 January, Moldova faced huge power cuts after Russia stopped its energy supply through Ukraine. Ukraine had refused to extend the transit agreement in order to stop the cash flow to Russia. In Transnistria, a separatist region of eastern Moldova, which is a pro-Russia region, had heating systems only in hospitals. There was no heating in the houses. In some Transnistrian towns, the authorities are setting up "heating points" and there are hotlines for help finding firewood. Families have been advised to gather in one room for warmth and seal cracks in the windows and doors with blankets. Transnistria's main power plant in Kurchugan is being fueled by coal instead of Russian gas. The authorities have informed the public that there is gas only for 50 days. A state of emergency was declared in December. Businesses and citizens have been told to reduce consumption and be prepared for long power cuts. The sudden disruption in gas supply via Ukraine will affect Slovakia and Hungary as well. Since Moldova is already struggling economically, higher energy costs might have serious political consequences as well. Gazprom, a state-owned energy company in Russia, claims that it has halted supplies because Moldova is almost under USD 700 million in debt. The Moldovan government says an international audit put the true amount at around USD nine million which has mostly been repaid. (Sarah Rainsford, “Moldova faces energy crisis as flow of Russian gas ends,” BBC, 02 January 2025)
THE UK
Migrants arrivals via English Channel surges by 25 per cent in 2024
On 01 January, the Ministry of Interior Affairs of the UK released a report mentioning that 36,816 migrants arrived in the country through the English Channel in 2024. The number is 25 per cent more than 29,437 in 2023. However, both the records are still below the 2022 which was 45,774. There were also 76 deaths recorded in the Channel and 5,800 rescues. The new Labour government is under immense pressure to address the issue. The surge was mostly due to high number of Vietnamese, Syrian and Afghani national arriving. According to the Migration Observatory of Oxford University, almost 29,000 individuals were deported by the UK government in 2024. Afghanistan accounted for the highest number of refugee applications. Net migration in 2024 stands at 7,28,000. The Prime Minister of the UK said that the surge is primarily due to human traffickers and has promised to dismantle human smugglers. The Labour government's new border strategies include a Border Security Command and treaties with European partners, including Europol. In November, the UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the government had a moral responsibility to tackle Channel crossings. (“UK channel crossings surge by 25% in 2024,” Deutsche Welle, 01 January 2024)
MONTENEGRO
Mass shooting kills 10
On 01 January, at least 10 people were killed in a mass shooting incident in Montenegro. The incident took place after a verbal argument between guests in a restaurant. The government has declared three days of national mourning. According to Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic, the gunman killed members of his own family, two of the restaurant owner's children and also the owner. Saranovic called the incident a "consequence of disturbed interpersonal relations." Mass shootings are rare in Montenegro. (Jack Brugges and Patrick Johnson, “National mourning after mass shooting in Montenegro,” BBC, 01 January 2025)