Photo : Reuters
11 February 2022, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #122
IN FOCUS
By Ashwin Dhanabalan
Poland and China: President Duda’s meeting with Xi
On 06 February, Polish President Andrzej Duda met President Xi Jinping during the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. Both discussed bilateral ties, potential Chinese investments in constructing a logistics hub in Poland, and the development of a China-Europe supply chain with Poland as a key nodal point. Duda’s visit highlights the thawing Polish-China relations that withstood time and is essential for the following three reasons.
I) Poland is China’s wild card in the CEEC cooperation
2022 marks the tenth anniversary of China-Poland. Xi hopes to establish a wholesale market for agricultural products in Poland. In April 2012, the China-CEEC cooperation-an economic and political agreement was created with 16 Eastern European members and China; Warsaw was chosen as the cooperation capital.
But, Poland played a more significant role than just being the leader in the cooperation of the region as its center is set up in Warsaw. It also endorsed the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the area. China repeatedly turned to Poland whenever there was discontentment in the CEEC. When Lithuania had announced that it would limit its participation in the initiative in May 2021, China revived its diplomatic efforts in the region, especially with Poland, to control the spillover of Lithuania’s decisions.
From the recent meeting, China’s Foreign Affairs ministry said: “Poland will continue to play a positive role in promoting CEEC-China cooperation and EU-China relations, and will further step up communication with China to uphold international and regional peace and stability.”
II) Bilateral trade: A Polish gateway for China to Europe
The bilateral trade relations between the two countries have been flourishing since 2014, when a direct train line between the city of Chengdu in China and Łódź, a town in Poland, was opened. This was in line with Xi’s plans to revive the new silk road under the BRI initiative. In the recent meeting, Duda had thanked China for supplying critical medical supplies to Poland and spoke about the importance of Poland-China economic cooperation. Xi talked about China expanding its imports of “high-quality products, particularly agricultural products,” and wanted Chinese businesses to invest more in Poland.
III) Geostrategic partnership
In 2016, besides endorsing the BRI, Poland signed an agreement on strategic cooperation with China, which mentioned the two countries as long-term and stable strategic partners. Poland’s sheer size and population support China’s influence within the CECE’s. Besides, Poland’s strategic location on NATO’s eastern flank, the European Union, and its small border with the Russian Federation indicate its importance. Poland-US relations flourished under Trump, which may have been due to the ideological synergies with the ruling party in Poland. But, under the Biden administration, Warsaw found interest in expanding its relations with China.
To conclude, the two countries may have seen see-saw moments recently, but Duda’s visit to Beijing could further strengthen bilateral cooperation and relations between them.
References:
“Xi meets with Polish President Duda, vowing to lift bilateral practical cooperation to a new level,” Global Times, 06 February 2022.
“Xi Jinping Meets with Polish President Andrzej Duda,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, 02 February 2022.
Łukasz Kobierski, “A Thaw in Relations Between Warsaw and Beijing?,” Warsaw Institute, 01 July 2021.
Paweł Paszak, “Poland-China Relations in 2021: Current State and Prospects,” Warsaw Institute, 29 January 2021.
“Poland and China sign strategic partnership declaration,” Presidential PL, 2016
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Padmashree Anandhan
FRANCE
Freedom convoy protests in Paris were banned ahead.
On 10 January, following the trucker's protest in Canada, convoys from around cities of France were scheduled to protest similarly on 11 January. The authorities in Paris, citing the risk of public disturbance, have banned the protests and strictly ruled that any civilian or driver found to be hindering the roads will be subject to license cancellation, two-year imprisonment, or EUR 4500 as a penalty. The protests are happening against the show of vaccine pass to enter social spaces. Police of France has estimated that convoys are using the online platform to organize protests, through which a mix from different political and ideological groups shall participate. (“Freedom Convoy: Paris protest banned by police ahead of arrival,” BBC, 10 January 2022)
France reveals plan for nuclear reactor construction
On 10 January, French President Emmanuel Macron revealed France’s energy plan. As a first step, he aims to construct six new nuclear reactors through state-run energy giant Electricite de France (FDF). Under the energy plan, “third generation pressurized water reactors (EPR) facilities” are set to be constructed by 2050, and additional eight reactors are expected to be added. Macron, who has been in constant support of nuclear energy, is the viable and eco-friendly option. He said: “The time has come for a French nuclear renaissance.” As far as EDF is concerned, it has been long in debt due to challenges in constructing the latest-generation EPR reactors for the UK, France, and Finland. Nuclear reactors involve more cost and complex technology. France has been less serious when it comes to financing reactor projects. (“Macron calls for 'French nuclear renaissance,” Deutsche Welle, 10 February 2022)
LATVIA
Saeima passes Holocaust restitution law to compensate survivors with EUR 40 million
On 10 February, the Saeima (parliament) passed a bill that intends to repay the Jewish community over the property they lost after the end of World War II. Termed the "Law on the Compensation of Goodwill to the Latvian Jewish Community," the law would provide compensations of EUR 40 million over the course of 10 years. The Chairman of the Latvian Council of Jewish Communities responded: “Finalizing this process demonstrates that even 77 years after the end of the Holocaust, it is never too late for justice.” The negotiations, which began in 2005, involved the World Jewish Restitution Organization, the US, Israel, Latvian Jewish representatives and government authorities. (“Latvia: Parliament passes Holocaust restitution law,” Deutsche Welle, 11 February 2022)
REGIONAL
Ukraine: Multiple talks held over standoff
On 10 February, Europe witnessed multiple countries from the region engaging in diplomacy to de-escalate tensions along the Ukrainian border. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with leaders of the Baltic countries, stating that the efforts were towards “preventing a war in Europe”. Scholz will visit Kyiv and Moscow on 14 and 15 February. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels following which he travelled to Poland. After the trip, Johnson warned: “I think today, 10 February 2022, we stand on the edge of a precipice and things are as dangerous as I have seen them in Europe for a very, very long time.” The UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Lavrov commented: “I'm honestly disappointed that what we have is a conversation between a dumb and a deaf person. It's as if we listen but we don't hear.” (“Ukraine crisis: Don′t underestimate West′s resolve, Germany′s Scholz tells Russia,” Deutsche Welle, 10 February 2022; Dan Sabbagh and Andrew Roth, “PM fears Europe on 'precipice' as Russia expands forces on Ukraine's borders,” The Guardian, 10 February 2022)
European commission announces investment scheme in Africa
On 10 January, the European Commission to endorse Europe's Global Gateway investment scheme announced the Europe-Africa program. According to President Ursula von der Leyen: “It is the first regional plan under Global Gateway two months after the launch of the strategy.” Where an investment of EUR 150 billion will be made in Africa to focus on green transition, renewable energy generation and protection of biodiversity. The scheme also aims to create a sustainable agri-food system and job opportunities in the region. (“EU reveals €150 billion investment plan for Africa,” Deutsche Welle, 10 February 2022)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
New planet discovered close to Proxima Centauri
On 10 February, The Guardian reported astronomers to have discovered a new planet orbiting Proxima Centauri which is the closest star to the solar system. Researchers found the planet via observations from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. Named ‘Proxima d,’ this is the third and the lightest planet to be discovered around Proxima Centauri. According to the lead author of the study published in the Astronomy and Astrophysics journal, João Faria of Portugal’s Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences said: “This is a very low mass planet… It shows that these planets, similar to the Earth, may be common in our galaxy, and just close by. And it makes us wonder about the possible conditions for habitability in these planet systems and if it’s possible for life to appear in other places in the universe.” (Ian Sample, “Scientists discover new planet orbiting nearest star to solar system,” The Guardian, 10 February 2022)
Russian rocket carrying broadband satellite of OneWeb launched
On 10 January, a Russian Soyuz rocket lifted off from the Guiana Space Center located in French Guiana. The rocket carried 34 new broadband satellites for OneWeb the UK operator, which aims to provide commercial internet service at international level. There is a race emerging between private space tech companies in providing fast internet through satellites, SpaceX is the second top with 1,469 Starlink satellites that were launched to facilitate global broadband. Amazon is also set to launch its first internet satellite by 2022. (“UK's OneWeb satellites hitch a ride on a Russian rocket,” Deutsche Welle, 10 February 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Ukraine: Biden appeals to US citizens in Kyiv, “leave now”
On 11 February, The Guardian reported US President Joe Biden to have warned US citizens in Kyiv of an escalating situation regarding the standoff. During an interview with NBC News, Biden said: “American citizens should leave, should leave now… We’re dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. This is a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly.” This comment comes in the backdrop of the failure of multiple diplomatic efforts undertaken over the course of the week. Responding to whether the US would deploy troops to Russia, Biden expressed: “That’s a world war. When Americans and Russians start shooting one another, we’re in a very different world.” (“'Things could go crazy quickly,' Biden warns on Ukraine as talks in Berlin fail,” The Guardian, 11 February 2022)