Photo : JoeKlamar-AFP
07 October 2021, Thursday
IN FOCUS
By Joeana Cera Matthews
The Balkans: The EU focus on accession
On 6 October, the EU's one-day summit in Slovenia came to an end. The summit attended by both the EU and Western Balkan leaders discussed majorly on issues regarding EU accession and other problems faced by the region. The six Western Balkan leaders of Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with North Macedonia and Albania were present for the summit. The Western Balkan states are at different stages of accession.
Three issues: Timeline, Bulgaria's veto, and EU's internal differences
First, despite making promises to fasten the enlargement process and having elaborate talks on the same, the summit failed to bring a decisive timeline regarding the accession of the Western Balkan states. Along with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, several other EU leaders expressed their opinion against having a 'firm timeline' as it did not help with accession. Instead, they believe that it should take place only when the countries in question have achieved all the conditions of the EU accession.
Second, the veto rights being a block for the accession of the Western Balkan states. This is clearly seen when we consider the case of Albania and North Macedonia who, despite having met with the EU's reform demands, are yet to be invited for formal negotiations due to Bulgaria exercising its right to veto. Bulgaria has been against the countries' accession into the EU due to its long-established quarrel with North Macedonia. However, the bilateral dispute doesn't see an end unless Bulgaria's political crisis of not having a government is solved.
Third, internal differences within the EU. The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that they 'learnt the hard way not to expect anything'. The North Macedonian Prime Minister during his post-summit address also warned about the consequences of the EU's failure to 'materialize' their promises. He assured that the idea of 'European unity and cooperation' would also be severely affected along with the immense disappointment.
The EU's management of the recent Serbia-Kosovo border dispute added to its falling credibility in the Western Balkan region. Its failure to admonish Serbia using its military strength to create fear amongst its neighbours has severely affected the region's trust in the EU.
Silver linings: New economic and investment plan
Despite many criticisms, the EU agreed on a new economic and investment plan for the six Western Balkan countries worth EUR 9 billion. They also adopted a declaration reaffirming their support for the region along with initiatives to support green and digital transitions as well as to increase political and security cooperation.
References:
"EU summit: No firm timeline for Western Balkans accession," Deutsche Welle, 06 October 2021.
"EU-Western Balkans summit, Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, 6 October 2021," European Council, 06 October 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Vaishnavi Iyer
GERMANY
Government and NGO renegotiate Holocaust pension claimants at the Claims Conference
The Conference on Jewish Material Claims has negotiated payments for Holocaust survivors. In an attempt to symbolically honour "the dignity taken from survivors in their youth", the settlements amount up to monthly pensions of USD 435 from July. The last generation of 6,500 survivors will see an increase in their compensation. In the conference, known as the Claims Conference, attempts were made to negotiate the number of eligible people. The beneficiaries include 4,500 survivors of the siege of Leningrad, along with 1,200 Jews and 800 French Jews from the Romanian war. (Amanda Rivkin, "More Holocaust survivors to receive pensions from German government," Deutsche Welle, 07 October 2021)
Steinmeier commemorates Holocaust victims in Ukraine
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made visits to the sites of Nazi occupation in Ukraine. He began with the Ukrainian village of Koryukivka and proceeded to the site of the Babyn Yar Massacre. On the 80-year anniversary of the Babyn Yar Holocaust, he called it to a "meticulously planned crime". In his speech, he also expressed grief over the conspiracies intensifying anti-Semitism that increased during the pandemic. He also added: "For us Germans, there can only be one response: never again!" He called for more efforts by the former Soviet Union to commemorate victims of the Holocaust. ("German President Steinmeier marks Nazi massacres in Ukraine," Deutsche Welle, 07 October 2021)
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Gas prices fall after Russia boosts its supply
Announcing an increase in gas supply, Russia offset soaring gas prices in the UK by 257p. Russia stepped in to "calm the market" after the UK saw a rise of 37 per cent with a price of 400p for its gas trade. Lower gas reserves have created volatility and nervousness among most investors. The government was called to act on the surge in prices by the Energy Intensive Users Group. The previous unavailability of gas led to losses for industries, such as steel failing to produce output at times of "peak demand". Nine energy suppliers have already succumbed to the prices and have gone bust. While customers have been protected by an energy cap, revision in the same is likely to affect their affordability and bills. ("UK gas prices fall from record high after Russia steps in," BBC, 07 October 2021)
REGIONAL
The EU: Western Balkan states await membership confirmation from an indecisive EU
Commision Chief von der Leyen at the summit in Slovenia stated "impatience" and "frustration" at the delay of Western Balkan membership. She also expressed the difficulty which the EU would have to face in terms of its position and power in the region. While stressing on wanting the Western Balkans to be a part of the EU; there was no official progress made. The speech was rather an elaborate affirmation. She expanded on the need for improving the economy and anti-corruption measures to strengthen the position of the Western Balkans further. A few countries have been provided with a "candidate status" while others are at advanced levels in the process of membership. The EU heavily continues to invest in the region to prevent other powers from filling the void. However, the EU hasn't provided for any official declaration of permanent membership. Slovenia has requested the EU to commit to provide the Western Balkans membership by 2030. (Jessica Parker, "EU indecision 'jeopardising' its position in Balkans - Von der Leyen," BBC, 07 October 2021)
CLIMATE
Turkey ratifies the Paris agreement
In alignment with the next UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the Turkish parliament has ratified the Paris Climate Change Agreement. It is the last G20 country to do so. Turkey has also requested the UN to have its name removed from the Annex 1 group of industrialized countries. The same proposal is set to be discussed at the COP26 Climate Change Conference. ("Turkey ratifies Paris climate change agreement as last G20 country," Deutsche Welle, 07 October 2021)