Photo : Police against protests in Belgrade, Serbia. Source: Djordje Kojadinovic/REUTERS
18 March 2025, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1090
BELGIUM
Diplomats in Rwanda return due to rebel movements in the DRC
On 18 March, Belgium and Rwanda expelled diplomats in response to the escalating dispute over the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Rwanda announced that it has severed ties with Belgium and has given 48 hours for the diplomats to leave the country. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot described this move as disproportionate, adding that Brussels would declare Rwandan diplomats persona non grata. This move comes as the M23 rebel movement seized Congo’s two largest cities. The international community condemned this escalation of the conflict rooted in the 1994 Rwanda genocide and the battle for Congo’s mineral resources. Belgium, the former colonial power in Rwanda and DRC, has led the calls for the EU to suspend the 2024 raw materials agreement with Rwanda. (Louis Oelofse“Belgium, Rwanda expel diplomats over DR Congo conflict” Deutsche Welle, 18 March 2025)
GERMANY
Audi announces layoff due to tough competition
On 18 March, Audi said it would cut 7,500 jobs in Germany citing immense challenges and the automobile industry having severe battles since the demand for electric vehicles and the rise in Chinese vehicles are creating competition. The slash in jobs is to happen by the end of 2029, amounting to eight per cent of Audi’s global workforce and is aimed at boosting productivity, speed and flexibility. The economic conditions are becoming tougher and the competitive pressure is creating uncertainties and challenges. (John Silk “Germany: Auto giant Audi to slash 7,500 jobs from workforce” Deutsche Welle, 18 March 2025)
FRANCE
Canada’s Prime Minister meets France’s President to build trade relations
On 15 March, The Prime Minister of Canada is looking at the important issues now, which include, creating more high-paying jobs, building new trade relationships with the partners and Canadian security. The Prime Minister is travelling to Paris, France, London, UK, Iqaluit, Nunavut. The aim of these meetings is to strengthen the two closest allies and longest-standing economic and security partnerships and re-affirm Canada’s Arctic security and sovereignty. On 17 March, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and discussed topics like the economy, defence, and commercial ties between the two, including areas like AI, critical minerals, clean energy and defending rules based on free trade. The Prime Minister and the President have highlighted the launch of a new bilateral partnership on intelligence and security. The partnership will focus on enhancing cyber security and intelligence sharing economic security, violent extremism, counter-proliferation, interference, espionage, sabotage, and any threats associated with technology. The leaders emphasized the rich and strong relationship between Canada and France, history, language, and ties between culture and people. (“Prime Minister Carney to strengthen ties with France and the United Kingdom and reaffirm Canada’s sovereignty”Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, 15 March 2025)
LITHUANIA
Authorities criticise Russian intelligence responsible for the IKEA blast
On 17 March, Lithuanian authorities with valid reasons are holding Russian military intelligence responsible for the Ikea store arson attack in Vilnius, 2024. The main suspect in the incident engaged with “Russian military and security services” and accepting payments as a part of the terrorist organisation that was planning attacks on Lithuania and Latvia. The suspect is said to have planted a time fuse in the store, which was activated last year. After examining the footage, the suspect in the case attempted to cover up his tracks and fled to Warsaw, Poland. (Tamsin Paternoster “Lithuania says Russian military intelligence behind Ikea arson attack in Vilnius” Euro News, 17 March 2025)
MACEDONIA
Nightclub fire kills 59 people; 20 arrested in investigation
On 17 March, the North Macedonian Interior Ministry said that more than 20 people were under investigation in grounds of fire in the nightclub that killed dozens of people. Records state that at least 59 people were killed as a result of the blaze that started when the stage pyrotechnics set fire to a patch of the club ceiling that prosecutors say was in breach of several fire regulations. State prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski, mentioned in a preliminary inspection that the night club in the northern town of Kocani had revealed a succession of safety code violations. He said: “There were no two exit doors, on one single metal door at the back of the building, there weren't sufficient fire extinguishers, the blaze caused the roof of the single story building, a former carpet warehouse, to collapse.” Along with the 20 people arrested, government officials and the nightclub manager are arrested. (Richard Connor “North Macedonia probes deadly nightclub blaze” Deutsche Welle, 17 March 2025)
SERBIA
Government criticised for using sonic weapons to disperse the protests in Belgrade
On 17 March, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, denied that his police forces had used sonic weapons to disperse the protesters in Belgrade. He said: “I have had the opportunity to see this weapon abroad due to its strong and piercing emission of sound, but this was not heard in the streets of Belgrade.” He added that “there will be an investigation, and also they should prosecute those who went public with such comments.” During the commemorative silence, eyewitnesses reported to have heard piercing noises causing the crowd to scatter in panic. Military analyst Aleksandar Radic said: “The sound would have originated from a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), commonly referred to as a sonic weapon.” The Belgrade Center for Security Policy, a Serbian NGO, condemned the government for allegedly using the weapon. This act represents a blatant display of force and an attempt to incite chaos, aiming to delegitimize protests and criminalize peaceful citizens. (Nicholas Counter “Serbian government denies using 'sonic weapon' at protest” Deutsche Welle, 17 March 2025)