Photo : Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Right) and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban (left)
04 April 2025, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1104
By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
GREECE
Seven migrants dead in the Aegean Sea after boat capsizes
On 03 April, in the Aegean Sea, a boat containing migrants sunk, rescuing 23 and killing seven. The incident happened between the Greek Island of Lesbos and the Turkish mainland. The boat was on the way to Lesbos, from Türkiye, where the patrolling guards detected it in the early morning hours. There is no definitive cause for the boat to capsize and there is no information on those on the boat and their nationalities. There is however an ongoing rescue operation, that includes three coast guard vessels, a helicopter, and a nearby boat in search of more victims. To answer the question of why was the boat on the way to Greece, it is because the Greek islands are the first destination in Europe, for illegal migrants to escape poverty. In 2024, about 54,000 reached Greece, and according to the report by Refugee Support Aegean (RSA), 171 are dead or are considered missing, as they made their way to the Aegean Sea. (Chiara Bachels, “Migrant boat capsizes near Greek island, leaving 7 dead,” Deutsche Welle, 03 April 2025)
HUNGARY
Prime Minister Viktor Orban welcomes Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Budapest
On 03 April, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Hungary, which is considered a defiant gesture against the International Criminal Court. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant against him on charges of war crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. This is the first time the Prime Minister visits the European region. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has disregarded the ICC’s ruling and has extended an invitation to Netanyahu. PM Orbán said: “When PM Netanyahu is to visit Hungary, I will assure him that the ICC’s ruling will have no effect in Hungary and we will not follow its terms.” As per the signatory terms of the ICC, Hungary must formally take Netanyahu into custody but chooses Hungary to withdraw from the ICC, as he welcomes Netanyahu to Budapest with open arms. Both Prime Ministers are to have a joint press conference at 10:30 pm GMT. Orbán said: “The court’s ruling against Netanyahu is an intervention on the ongoing conflict for political purposes.” (Eliza Herbert, “Israel's Netanyahu heads to Hungary, defying ICC arrest warrant,” France 24, 03 April 2025; “Hungary rolls out the red carpet for Netanyahu and announces withdrawal from ICC,” France 24, 03 April 2025)
TÜRKIYE
Syria facing new batch of Israeli attacks, with Türkiye posing a threat to Israel
On 03 April, Syria condemned the latest attacks by Israel, where they destroyed the Hamas airbase, and injured several. Along with the injured, four defence personnel have been killed. Israel militia have attacked the Hama base in the west and the central T4 base, along with military infrastructure in Damascus. While the attack took place, Türkish were moving their jets and air defence systems to the Syrian air base. Israel’s defence minister warns Syria’s interim President Ahmed-al-Sharaa: “He would pay a heavy price if he allowed forces hostile to Israel, to enter the country.” The Israeli military has carried out multiple air strikes across Syria and has destroyed military jets, tanks, missiles, air defence systems, weapon factories, and research centers, since the overthrow of the Assad regime. Israel sent troops to the Golan Heights as well as Mount Hermon. It has demanded the demilitarisation of southern provinces, Deraa, Quneitra, and Suweida saying it will not accept the ruling of the Sharaa government. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has recorded at least 18 strikes, aiming at planes, rail racks, and the Hama Tower airbase. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said: “This escalation is an attempt to destabilize Syria’s new government, and to aggravate the people’s suffering,” and has urged the international community to pressure Israel to cease its aggression. Israel has been eyeing a joint defence pact, but Türkiye is holding negotiations with Syria, and hence the air strikes come as the Turkish military equipment is being moved to the Syrian air base. Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz said to Syria’s President Sharaa: “If you allow forces hostile to Israel, and endanger the Israeli security interests, there will be a heavy price to pay.” Katz did not specify the term hostile, but they were concerned about the activities Türkiye is playing at and its effect on Israel. SOHR reported the Israeli ground forces, opened fire on a national park in the city of Deraa, killing nine gunmen. The massacre of the gunmen has sparked anger among the citizens. The military said: “it would not allow any military threat to exist in Syria.” It is also been noticed that the growing investments made by Türkiye, have created a huge level of threat to Israel. (David Gritten and Lucy Williamson, “Syria condemns 'unjustified' Israeli strikes as tensions rise over Türkiye,” BBC, 03 April 2025)
REGIONAL
EU leaders criticise US imposition of tariffs
On 03 April, US President Donald Trump announced the tariffs that the US will impose, and this has caused alarm in the European Union, as they are hit with 20 per cent tariffs. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen responded to the White House announcement: “The global economy will massively suffer.” She added: “All businesses, big and small will suffer from day one, and the cost of doing business with the US will drastically increase.” The EU is finalizing the first package of countermeasures, in response to the tariffs on steel. Von der Leyen commented, “If the negotiations fail, we will protect our interests and businesses.” In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “The tariffs would damage the entire global economy, and were based on false thinking.” Outgoing German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said: “It was an extraordinary day for the world economy, comparing the situation to the Russia-Ukraine War. France President Emmanuel Macron said the American tariffs are “brutal and unfounded, and would make the American economy weaker and poorer.” He has called for the suspension of future investments, for a long time, till the situation with the US is not clarified. Macron added: “What would be the message if the European actors invest in the US economy at the very moment they are hitting us?” Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni claims that the tariffs against the EU are wrong, but the impact should not be overestimated. She said: “We must not fuel alarmism, it is not a catastrophe” and warned that European tariffs would not be the right response, as the trade war could weaken the Western economy. Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the tariffs represent a unilateral attack against Europe, said: “The measures represent a return to the 19th-century protectionism.” Sanchez further stated “It was not an intelligent way to meet the challenges of the 21st century.” (Jenipher Camino Gonzales, “Europe prepares 'countermeasures' to Trump tariffs,” Deutsche Welle, 03 April 2025)