Photo : Euronews
09 April 2025, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1108
By Padmashree Anandhan and Fleur Elizabeth Philip
GERMANY
Government suspends UN Refugee Resettlement Program amid coalition talks
On 08 April, Germany government temporarily suspended its participation in a UN refugee resettlement program, which has been in place for years to help refugees in urgent need of protection, such as children, torture victims, or those requiring medical treatment, who cannot remain in their initial host country. The halt comes during ongoing coalition negotiations between the conservative Christian Democrat (CDU) bloc and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD). According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) spokesperson for Germany, Chris Melzer, the program is expected to resume once a new interior minister is appointed. (Elizabeth Schumacher, “Germany orders halt on UN refugee resettlement program,” Deutsche Welle, 08 April 2025)
REGIONAL
EPP’s new nine-point action plan against uncontrolled migration
On 07 April, the European People's Party (EPP) adopted a new, tougher stance on migration through a position paper titled: “Harnessing Migration: A Firm, Fair, and Future-Oriented Approach.”This includes measures such as migrant return hubs, a stronger role for Frontex, and stricter criteria for family reunifications. The plan aims to decrease irregular migration, counter migrant smuggling, and enhance border protection, with proposals like using EU funds for border infrastructure and expanding Frontex's capabilities with complex technologies. It also supports deploying Frontex agents in African countries to prevent migrants from leaving. The EPP advocates for stronger partnerships with third countries and reintroducing temporary internal border controls within the Schengen Area if necessary. Other divisive ideas include restrictive asylum rights when migrants are used as political tools, revising the Geneva Convention, and tightening family reunification needs. The EPP's position aligns with right-wing groups in the European Parliament and emphasizes the need for more proactive border defence. (Vincenzo Genovese, “The EPP takes firmer line on migration in policy pitch,” Euronews, 07 April 2025)
EU Trade Ministers agree on retaliatory tariffs against the US
On 07 April, trade ministers met in Luxembourg and came up with an agreement, to target American goods, after the US imposition of tariffs on Steel and Aluminium. The second round of tariffs is under discussion and there will be reciprocal tariffs on the other imports from the bloc. At present, only a flat rate of 25 per cent on cars has been discussed. The first round of countermeasures includes American products such as Bourbon whiskey, which came after threats from President Trump and the imposition of 200 per cent tariffs on European vines and spirits. France, Italy, and Spain led calls in the past week to remove whiskey from the retaliatory measure and avoid escalating the tension with the US. EU diplomat said: “We need to strike the right balance to protect the most exposed EU economies, and we are united in our desire for a proportionate response because the retaliatory measures against the US will have a knock-on effect on our industries.” The retaliatory tariffs are to take effect on 15 April, and the aim of this is to bring the US to the negotiating table amidst the ongoing trade dispute. The second round of tariffs is under discussion and there will be reciprocal tariffs on the other imports from the bloc. Right now, only a flat rate of 25 per cent on cars has been discussed. The member states are divided as to approach the subject, as countries like France and Germany are open to using more aggressive countermeasures, but countries like Italy, Spain, and Ireland want to approach the subject on a more cautious tone. (Peggy Corlin, “EU trade ministers near agreement on first round of retaliatory tariffs against US,” Euronews, 07 April 2025)
EU Finance Ministers propose European Defence Mechanism for enhanced cooperation
On 07 April, the EU finance ministers proposed the establishment of an intergovernmental institution “European Defence Mechanism” (EDM) for defence purposes and cooperation with the non-EU countries. This proposal came to light after the British idea for a supernational rearmament fund, which would involve borrowing on capital markets and centralising defence, to reduce the cost. Poland Finance Minister Andrzej DomaÅ„ski said: “Given the need to maintain the prudal fiscal positions, defence investment cannot proceed without proper coordination. He added, that as defence spending remains a national prerogative, the intergovernmental model may offer a more effective response to insufficient defence financing.” The EU member's finance ministers are to join the finance ministers of the UK, Switzerland, and Norway in an informal meeting in Warsaw on 11-12 April. A policy paper by Brussels and EDM will be discussed. The success of this mechanism would require member countries to contribute a certain quota, based on the economic size, and military spending with decisions potentially taken according to capital shares. (Paula Soler, “EU mulls new defence funding mechanism with third countries to boost military readiness,” Euronews, 07 April 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
Russia launches Soyuz MS-27 carrying Russian and US cosmonauts
On 08 April, Deutsche Welle reported on the ongoing US-Russia space relations amid war in Ukraine. Russian Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft that recently docked with the International Space Station (ISS), with two Russian cosmonauts, Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, along with NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. The crew will carry out 50 scientific experiments ahead of returning to Earth in 09 December. Despite geopolitical tensions between Russia and the US, space projects, especially those concerning the ISS, have continued to advance cooperation. The ISS, continuously developed since 2000, remains a symbol of international collaboration, even though challenges facing Russia’s space program, such as funding issues and past failures like the Luna-25 lunar probe. (Timothy Jones, “Russian spacecraft brings cosmonauts, astronaut to ISS,” Deutsche Welle, 08 April 2025)