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Hungary
September 27, 2024 10:22 am CET Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjártó said yesterday that Budapest is keen to strengthen economic ties with Moscow, despite ongoing European Union sanctions against Russia. “Apart from the fact that we do not like the sanctions regime - although there are European rules that we have to comply with - we are very open about our desire to improve economic relations between Russia and Hungary in all areas that are not affected by sanctions,” Szijjártó told TASS news agency on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Szijjártó then referred to a Hungarian-Russian Economic Cooperation Committee meeting held in Budapest last week, which was attended by Russian Health Minister Murashko. “We also held a business forum, in which 173 entrepreneurs from both sides took part. For me, this shows that there is not only a political desire to improve economic relations, but business also wants this,” he said. Hungary’s vocal opposition to EU sanctions against Russia, its interest in strengthening economic ties with Moscow were leading to tensions between Brussels and Budapest. 'EU foreign ministers and finance ministers recently boycotted EU meetings held in Budapest in September, sending a message of growing frustration about Hungary’s attitude toward Russia'. (Source: politico)
Finland
27 September 2024 The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, O’Flaherty, has called on Finland to continue to honour its strong track record of promoting and defending human rights, following a visit to the country from 23 to 26 September, which focused on the situation of Roma and issues related to migration and asylum. During his visit, the Commissioner engaged with Roma communities and listened to their concerns about the discrimination they experience in different areas of life. Amidst a climate of rising racism in Finnish society, representatives from the Roma communities conveyed how antigypsyism impacts their daily interactions and access to social rights, including housing, education and employment. The Commissioner also notes that, despite a comprehensive legal framework protecting the rights of Roma, and ambitious national action plans, implementation in practice sometimes falls behind. The Commissioner is particularly concerned about the situation of the group known as “migrant EU Roma” who have immigrated mainly from eastern Europe. Without effective access to the labour and housing market and full access to social services, they often experience homelessness, and live in destitution. On the subject of migration, and following his letter to the Finnish Parliament and several committee chairs of 11 June 2024, the Commissioner sought through his visit to gain a deeper understanding of the situation at the eastern border and regarding the recently-adopted Act on Temporary Measures to Combat Instrumentalised Migration. Under this law, the government can, under certain conditions, temporarily restrict the reception of asylum applications and summarily remove migrants at or near the border, if they consider that migration flows are being instrumentalised by a foreign state. The Commissioner recognises the serious challenges faced by Finland because of the manipulation of migration on the part of a neighbouring state. Such manipulation also is to be condemned for placing already vulnerable individuals in situations of precarity. He appreciates the need for and the legitimacy of ensuring security at Finland’s borders. However, the Commissioner remains of the view that the temporary measures, if ever implemented, would entail a violation of several international obligations, including the principle of nonrefoulement, the prohibition of collective expulsion and access to effective remedies. Furthermore, taking into account experience of other states across the world, the Commissioner is unconvinced that, in the longer term the temporary measures would fulfil their intended purpose of thwarting instrumentalisation of migration and the activities of migrant smugglers. While acknowledging the considerable efforts being made by the border guards and others, the Commissioner is concerned about the feasibility of carrying out such complex assessments in compliance with human rights, especially in view of the summary manner in which they are foreseen and lacking other safeguards, such as access to judicial review and remedies with suspensive effect. The Commissioner welcomes and encourages Finland’s intention to continue seeking, at the regional level, long term, coordinated solutions to challenges relating to border security and instrumentalisation of migration. (Source: m.coe.int/finland-end-of-visit-statement)
Greece
September 27, 2024 09:33 Like Poland with its reinforced border with Belarus, countries like Greece, as the first point of contact for many migrants, are seeking to enhance their protection of the European Union’s external borders. Amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East and an increase in migration from Turkey in recent months, Athens recently resubmitted a request to the EU for financial support to further extend the fence. The Greek government has reaffirmed its commitment to extending the border fence with Turkey, designed to curb illegal migration, despite objections from the European Commission. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had previously made it clear that the fence would be built regardless of whether EU funding is secured, stating, “The new fence will be built with or without the European Union.” The construction of the fence began in 2012 and has since been expanded using national funds. It has drawn renewed attention following Germany’s tougher stance on migration and Hungary’s vocal opposition to the controversial EU migration pact, as well as Budapest’s call to be reimbursed by Brussels for its own border fence. The request was swiftly declined by Brussels, which reiterated its opposition to financing physical barriers such as fences. “Member states must protect the EU’s external borders. They are in the best position to decide how to achieve this in practice, in a way that is fully in line with the EU acquis (body of law), including respect for fundamental rights,’ a Commission spokesperson said in response. Further diplomatic efforts, at least on a bilateral basis, took place earlier this week in New York between Mitsotakis and Turkish President Erdoğan where the pair agreed to continue cooperating in the fight against smuggling networks, a key driver of irregular migration. (Source: rmx *)
* Remix
Sweden
September 27, 2024 4:00 am CET "Swedish conditions'. Sweden’s security situation risks undermining the reputation of the country at home and abroad. Gang crime is the biggest policy challenge facing the Swedish government today. Some 195 shootings and 72 bombings have taken 30 lives this year alone and have undermined Swedish citizens’ sense of security across the country. Sweden’s domestic crisis is spilling over into neighboring states. Norwegian police believe that 'Swedish drug gangs' are now operating in all of Norway’s 12 police districts after recently expanding operations. Meanwhile, an increasing flow of 'Swedish' criminals into nearby Denmark has been reported by Danish authorities, who note that many of the recruits are very young. In early September, Danish police charged two Swedish teenagers with attempted murder, saying they had been hired by cooperating 'Swedish' and 'Danish' organized crime gangs. The police said they are currently working around 25 similar cases. Denmark’s Hummelgaard called Sweden’s Justice Minister Strömmer to Copenhagen for emergency talks over the issue in late August. To be called out by its Scandinavian neighbors is a shocking and humbling development for Sweden, a country long seen as a European bastion of social stability. After the meeting, Strömmer acknowledged the validity of concerns about 'Swedish' gang criminality affecting its neighbors, along with how "Sweden needs to do more to stop the problem at source". It has increased sentences for gun offenses and is looking at lowering the age at which criminals can be held responsible for their actions. It has also rolled out a new system of stop-and-search zones. But the crackdown has yet to have a serious impact, and the shootings and bomb attacks targeting gang members and their families continue both in Sweden - and abroad. Over recent months, 'Swedish' gangsters have been shot dead by rivals in Bosnia, Turkey and Iraq. (Source: politico)
European Parliament
(27 9 2024) Hungary holds the Presidency of the Council until December 2024 included. Ministers are holding a series of meetings in parliamentary committees to present the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council. Hungarian Presidency debriefs EP committees on priorities. On 19 September, European Union Affairs Minister Bóka highlighted the need to reform the EU for upcoming enlargement and told MEPs that the Presidency envisions two ministerial-level discussions on the future of Europe. He raised concerns about maintaining interinstitutional balance when reforming the Framework Agreement between the EP and the Commission and mentioned the transparency of interest representation, EU accession to the European Court of Human Rights, and the EU Ethics Body as other priorities. MEPs debated issues including the Hungarian government’s stance on EU values and its compliance with EU Court of Justice judgments. Many speakers raised concerns on the Prime Minister’s recent visits to Moscow and Beijing, while others advocated enhancing national authorities’ role in EU decision-making. Hungary’s announcement that it will seek an opt-out from migration rules and its national assembly’s position that European elections should be abolished were also discussed. On 23 September, Raisz, Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs and Circular Economy, said the Presidency would push for a more competitive Europe while addressing the triple challenge of reducing pollution, mitigating climate change, and preserving biodiversity. MEPs quizzed the Minister on the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction target for 2040, the Clean Industrial Deal, COP29, recent floods in Europe, the circular economy, pollution, new genomic techniques, chemicals, the role of forests and soil monitoring. Takács, Secretary of State for Health, highlighted, as priorities, adopting Council conclusions on cardiovascular diseases and renewing EU cooperation on organ donation and transplants. The Presidency also intends to adopt the updated Council recommendation on smoke-free environments and advance on the pharmaceutical package. MEPs quizzed the Presidency on measures foreseen on rare diseases, equal access to medicines, shortages in the healthcare workforce, the competitiveness of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry as well as mRNA vaccines. On 26 September Azbej, State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians, said that the Presidency would pay particular attention to the humanitarian-peace-development nexus, especially in the Sahel region. Mr Azbej also mentioned as priorities the implementation of the EU’s Samoa Agreement with the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific region, tacking the root causes of migration in partner countries, and supporting the Global Gateway initiative and the Team Europe approach to development. MEPs raised questions about the credibility of the Presidency’s claims to advocate for human rights and democracy, given the rule of law concerns around the government as well as its ties with China and Russia. They also raised the importance of addressing the global persecution of Christians, and plans for closer cooperation with partner countries and countries of origin on returns and readmissions. (Source: europarl)
Russia
September 27, 2024 „Russia’s autumn conscription cycle starts on 1 October 2024. All eligible Russian men under the age of 30 are required to serve one year of military service”. “To date, conscripts have not been sent to fight in Ukraine. Since the start of the war in February 2022, Russian leaders have stated that conscripts will not be sent to the frontline”. “Legally, conscripts can serve in a combat zone if they have served four months and have been trained in a relevant specialization”. “However, Russia will likely continue to force conscripts to sign contracts following their completion of service to ensure a steady supply of personnel for the war amid high attrition rates,” British Military Intelligence concluded. Conscripts are typically restricted from combat zones, though some have been mistakenly deployed. The Kremlin has been trying to use men from low-income and immigrant backgrounds. Moscow has also recruited tens of thousands of convicts to fight in Ukraine. Putin is resisting calls to send conscripts to Ukraine, fearing domestic unrest. To maintain a steady flow of personnel, Russian leadership is pressuring conscripts to sign military contracts after their service. When it comes to Russia’s own territory, it is another matter. The Russian military has deployed conscripts to the Kursk Oblast to fight the Ukrainian forces there, causing uproar among families. Ukrainian units have captured dozens of Russian conscripts. Russian forces are taking very high casualties on a daily basis. Russia is currently recruiting fewer men than it loses, and that can soon create gaps on the line. (Source: nationalinterest)
United Kingdom
27.09.2024 With space and cyberspace becoming increasingly central in everyday life and a key factor contributing to success in combat, influence in the shared spaces will be yet another vital area of power," the ministry said in the seventh edition of its long-term foresight analysis "Global Strategic Trends: Out to 2055."
The report /456 p/:: https://tinyurl.com/vwaz7xz7
