Photo : g20.org
NIAS Europe Daily Brief #10, 13 October 2021, Wednesday
IN FOCUS
By Vaishnavi Iyer
G20 leaders' meeting to deliberate on the Afghan crisis; Provide humanitarian aid
On 12 October, Italy hosted an emergency G20 virtual summit on the situation in Afghanistan. The meeting focused on Afghanistan's humanitarian, economic, and security situations. Leaders from all countries attended the meeting, except China and Russia, who sent their representatives. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said: "There has basically been a convergence of views on the need to address the humanitarian emergency." Draghi also highlighted the multilateral approach taken to resolve the crisis and said: "This was the first multilateral response to the Afghan crisis … multilateralism is coming back, with difficulty, but it is coming back." Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan, insisted on cooperation from the international community. He made no comments on the secondary education for girls, which was discontinued.
In a joint statement, the leaders urged the Taliban to address extremist organizations within the country. The safety of people wishing to leave Afghanistan and the situation of female education were also discussed. Most leaders expressed their wish to coordinate over the crisis. It was also confirmed that the Taliban government had not yet been officially recognized by the member countries. The Taliban, according to Erdogan, have not yet provided what was expected of them. Merkel underlined the international community's responsibility of providing help to stop the instability. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "We must do all we can to avert a major humanitarian and socio-economic collapse in Afghanistan." Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron had prompted the G20 members to send a "clear message" to the Taliban over its questions on international recognition, status of women in the country and international humanitarian assistance. He also emphasized on combating Islamist terror groups.
The European Union pledged a USD 1.15 billion aid to address what it called a 'catastrophe'. The funds for humanitarian aid would be channelled through the United Nations, while a few countries would also provide for direct assistance. The EU pledge is substantial, exceeding its budget prior to the Taliban's control of Afghanistan. The EU declared that it would direct its aid to foreign groups working on the ground rather than the Taliban. Afghanistan was reliant on humanitarian aid, particularly from the United States, preceding the Taliban's control. With the takeover, the US halted most foreign aid and froze close to USD 10 billion in assets. At the United Nations Donor conference, the US announced a smaller amount of USD 64 million. Draghi proposed that the US contribute USD 300 million at the G20 summit. The White House stated that the same sum has already been allocated for help this year. The statement from the White House said: "The United States remains committed to working closely with the international community and using diplomatic, humanitarian, and economic means to address the situation in Afghanistan and support the Afghan people".
Why are countries responding?
The European Union response pertains to tensions of spillover migration. Italy emphasized the Taliban's ability to limit foreign intervention in Afghanistan. Aid is "necessary" to avoid humanitarian disaster and prevent "uncontrolled migration flows from Afghanistan to neighbouring nations and beyond," according to an Italian government statement on the summit. The US has pledged to continue its counter-terrorism activities alongside ISIS-K threats and to assist people in safely evacuating.
The UK and US did not respond to China's proposal to ease sanctions on Afghanistan in the joint statement.
Did the responses differ country-wise?
The largest economies in the summit did not participate with measures substantial to counter the Afghan crisis. The member countries have been aligned in not providing the Taliban government an official recognition. The challenge lies in the management of preconditions for diplomatic recognition. Given their relations with the Taliban government, China and Russia would have a lower threshold as compared to Western countries to diplomatically recognize the Taliban government. Moreover, countries may diverge on issues relating to resuming international developmental aid to be given to the Taliban to counter the economic crisis. The joint statement declared: "The Taliban will be judged on their deeds." The international community needs to collaborate on the Afghan crisis and maintain standard protocols over the Taliban government recognition.
References
"Macron: G20 must send Taliban clear message on price of recognition," Reuters, 5 October 2021.
"G-20 emergency meeting on Afghanistan yields $1.5 billion in aid from EU but no other comparable pledges," The Washington Post, 12 October 2021.
"G20 agrees aid to avert Afghanistan humanitarian crisis," Al Jazeera, 13 October 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews
SPAIN
Biden mocked as Spain revels in its colonial past
On 11 October, marking the US Columbus Day holiday, the US President Joe Biden said that Columbus' arrival led to a "wave of devastation" for the inhabitants of the land. He also called for instituting an Indigenous People's Day along with the existing Columbus Day. However, these comments were not taken well by the Spanish right-wing politicians. In fact, the leader of the conservative People's Party (PP) Pablo Casado took pride in Spain's colonial expansion and said that it was the "most important event in history after the Roman empire." The Vox party leader Santiago Abascal even called Biden "the lamentable president of the United States." Spain has in recent times become more unapologetic about its colonial past; despite maintaining close ties with its former colonies, several in Latin America claim that Spain is yet to acknowledge the human rights violations committed in the region. (Guy Hedgecoe, "Spanish right attacks Biden over Columbus and conquests," BBC, 13 October 2021)
REGIONAL
Ethnic Serbs clash with Kosovo police
On 13 October, border tensions between Kosovo and Serbia intensified after six police officials and at least 10 Serbs were injured during raids targeting smuggling gangs in northern Kosovo. The region, which is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Serbs, witnessed angered Serbs blocking roads and attacking Kosovo police, who retaliated with tear gas and stun grenades. The raids which were done against suspected smugglers concluded with eight arrests. Following the clash, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic visited the southern Serbian town of Raska and promised the Serbs from northern Kosovo of Belgrade's support. However, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said: "Crime and criminal groups will not be tolerated and will be fought. We will fight and stop the smuggling." ("Kosovo Serbs clash with police over smuggler arrests," Deutsche Welle, 13 October 2021)
Poland: Controversial ruling against the EU comes into force
On 12 October, the landmark ruling by the Polish Constitutional Court against the primacy of the EU law came into force. Largely criticized by the EU and its members, the declaration was published in the Official Gazette. The law which threatens the very foundation of EU law, has raised suspicions of Poland wanting to leave the EU bloc like the UK did. It has even been termed 'Polexit' in line with the UK's 'Brexit'. The EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell commented: "It has to clear: You are a member of a club, you have to abide by the rules of the club. And the most important rule of the club is that the European law is over national law." ("Poland: Top court ruling against EU law comes into force," Deutsche Welle, 12 October 2021)
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Russia and neighbouring countries responsible for UK cyber-attacks claims head of NCSC
During the Chatham House Cyber 2021 conference, the chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Lindy Cameron said that ransomware attacks presented the "most immediate danger" to UK businesses. She went on to claim that Russian-based and neighbouring states' cyber-criminals caused the majority of the online extortion against the UK. The NCSC head also said that China presented significant issues in the subject as well. Cameron maintained that ransomware as a strategy would remain appealing as long as organizations continued to be weak and people agreed to pay; it would simply encourage such groups. In a defensive attempt, the UK has proposed several techniques and the establishment of the National Cyber Force, is just one among them. Cameron's remarks are one of the firmest yet to affirm Russian involvement in the series of online extortions. (Dan Sabbagh, "Russia and neighbours are source of most ransomware, says UK cyber chief," The Guardian, 11 October 2021; Gordon Corera, "UK cyber head says Russia responsible for 'devastating' ransomware attacks," BBC, 12 October 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Merkel's farewell call to Xi; "Merkel a friend of the Chinese" says Xi
On 13 October, outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a farewell video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. They covered ground on the pandemic, climate change, as well as human rights. According to the German government spokesperson, they also discussed the imminent G20 summit and the EU-China investment agreement. They also acknowledged the marking of 50 years of German-Chinese relations in 2022. According to CGTN, Xi called Merkel a "friend of the Chinese people," while inviting her to visit China once she left office. The phrase made her join others like ex-US President Richard Nixon and former Cuban leader Fidel Castro who were also termed to be friends of the Chinese. However, Merkel called on German firms to diversify their trade in the Asia-Pacific in a separate event, saying: "We should not overlook that the Asia-Pacific is more than just China." Despite this, Merkel has often been criticized for being too soft on China, especially regarding its alleged human rights abuses. ("Germany's Angela Merkel holds farewell call with Chinese President Xi,' Deutsche Welle, 13 October 2021; Stuart Lau, "Merkel joins Castro, Nixon in ranks of China's 'old friends'," POLITICO, 13 October)