Europe News Digest (1-15 December, 2024)

India-Middle East-Europe corridor Will be Source of Regional Peace, Stability: Says French Trade Minister

Following its announcement at the 2023 G20 summit in New Delhi, France promptly appointed Gerard Mestrallet as a dedicated sherpa for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) project. The IMEEC will enhance strategic supply chains and boost security in economic and energy sectors, and it will be a source of regional peace and stability, French foreign trade minister Sophie Primas has said. Primas said France looks at the proposed corridor as a key to regional integration, stability, and an opportunity to hasten the decarbonisation of trade routes. The French sherpa accompanied Primas during her visit to India from November 27 to 29. Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, the IMEEC envisages vast road, railroad and shipping networks among India, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Europe with an aim to ensure integration among Asia, Middle East and West. Click here to read… [2]

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Pays a Surprise Visit to Kyiv

The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, arrived in Kyiv on December 2, for an unannounced visit that marks his first trip to Ukraine since the early months of full-scale war in the summer of 2022. The visit included his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announcement of a package of military aid to Ukraine worth €650m (£540m), to be delivered in December. Scholz also wrote on X that “Germany will remain Ukraine’s strongest supporter in Europe.” The visit appeared designed to reassure Ukraine of German support, after Scholz faced criticism for a recent phone call he initiated with Vladimir Putin, and with much of Europe braced for the uncertainty of a Donald Trump presidency and what it may mean for the war in Ukraine. Click here to read… [3]

‘Situation is Very Very Grave’: EU’s New Chief Visits Ukraine on First Day of Mandate

The EU's newly appointed top diplomat Kaja Kallas and European Council head Antonia Costa visited Kyviv on December 1, their first day in office. Costa said to media representatives “We came to give a clear message that we stand with Ukraine and we continue to give our full support.” As Ukraine approaches three years of defending against Russia’s invasion, the EU’s fresh leadership aims to demonstrate its unwavering support for Kyiv during this critical period. Russian President Putin has intensified the situation by threatening to target Kyiv’s government buildings with the recently deployed Oreshnik missile, following its first use against Ukraine last month. Kallas, who previously served as Estonia’s Prime Minister observed “The situation in Ukraine is very, very grave, but it is clear that it comes at a very high cost for Russia as well. Aid for Ukraine is not charity.” Click here to read… [4]

Protests in Georgia Continue after EU Accession Talks Halted

Georgia has seen multiple nights of street demonstrations and a string of public resignations, triggered by the ruling party's decision to suspend a push to start talks on joining the European Union. Officials in the country say at least 44 people have been hospitalised in increasingly violent demonstrations. The Interior Ministry said that 27 protesters, 16 police officers and one media worker were taken to hospital. Tens of thousands of protesters, mostly gathered outside parliament in the capital Tbilisi, threw stones and fireworks at squads of police officers. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said they had fallen victim to opposition lies and he rejected calls for new elections. He insisted however that Georgia's European integration had not been halted: “the only thing we have rejected is the shameful and offensive blackmail, which was, in fact, a significant obstacle to our country’s European integration." The unrest began when the government, headed by the populist Georgian Dream party, announced it was suspending EU accession talks until at least 2028. Click here to read… [5]

Baltic States Slap Sanctions on Georgian Officials

In light of the consecutive nights of protests in Georgia, the idea of imposing sanctions on Georgian officials is back on the table in Brussels after a crackdown on pro-EU protesters prompted a new wave of condemnation, with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania announcing they would unilaterally introduce restrictions. "The three Baltic States jointly agreed to impose national sanctions against those who suppressed legitimate protests in Georgia," the foreign affairs ministers of the countries said on Sunday. "Opponents of democracy and violators of human rights are not welcome in our countries." The published common blacklist, includes 11 Georgian figures, such as the minister for internal affairs and several of his deputies, who will be slapped with an entry ban. Bidzina Ivanishvili, the secretive oligarch who tightly controls the ruling Georgian Dream party and supports closer ties with Russia, is also blacklisted. The Baltic move immediately increased pressure on the EU to follow suit and apply coordinated sanctions on sitting officials, something that Brussels has so far resisted. Click here to read… [6]

French Government Collapses in No-Confidence Vote

The French government has collapsed after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote. MPs voted overwhelmingly in support of the motion against him - just three months after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron- the shortest tenure of any French Prime Minister in modern history. Opposition parties had tabled the motion after the former Brexit negotiator controversially used special powers to force through his budget without a vote. It marks the first time the country's government has collapsed in a no-confidence vote since 1962. The development will further France's political instability, after snap elections in summer led to no single group having a majority in parliament. MPs were required to either vote yes or abstain from the vote held on December 4, with 288 votes needed for the motion to pass. A total of 331 voted in support of the motion. Barnier is now obliged to present the resignation of his government, and the budget which triggered his downfall is defunct. The French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to stay in office till the end of his term in 2027. Click here to read… [7]

Romania Hit by Major Election Influence Campaign, Amid Russian Cyber-Attacks

Authorities in Romania have revealed details of what appears to be a major attempt to interfere in the country’s presidential elections using the social media platform TikTok, and with a series of cyber-attacks. Romania's domestic intelligence service says there are signs the effort was "co-ordinated by a state-sponsored actor". Calin Georgescu, a far-right Nato-sceptic who has previously praised Vladimir Putin, was almost unknown in Romania until he won the first round of voting in the presidential elections two weeks ago. Now Romanian intelligence says his sudden and surprise surge in popularity is down to a "highly organised" and "guerrilla" campaign on social media, sharing identical messaging and using influencers. They say it was conducted from "external locations" to bypass controls. A separate intelligence assessment says that Romania has been identified as an "enemy state" by Moscow and a priority target for what it calls "aggressive hybrid actions". Click here to read… [8]

China Automakers Pivot to Hybrid to Counter Europe’s EV Tariffs

Automakers in China are ramping up exports of hybrid vehicles to Europe and planning more models for the key market, exposing the limits of the European Union’s electric vehicle tariff scheme. The bloc’s latest EV tariffs to protect its auto industry from a flood of cheap Chinese imports do not apply to hybrid cars. That could see major brands such as China’s top EV maker BYD continue expansion in the region, analysts say. Analysts say that China’s hybrid exports to Europe to grow 20% this year and even faster next year. Some manufacturers are also shifting production and assembly to Europe to lower the cost around tariffs. EU tariffs of up to 45.3% on Chinese EV imports came into effect in late October to counter what the European Commission says are unfair subsidies that helped create a spare production capacity of 3 million EVs per year in China, twice the size of the EU market. Click here to read… [9]

Double Win for Europe: Sentinel-1C and Vega-C Take to the Skies

The third Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite was launched on a Vega-C rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Crucial to Europe’s autonomy reaching space, Sentinel-1C extends the legacy of its predecessors, delivering high-resolution radar imagery to monitor Earth’s changing environment, supporting a diverse range of applications and advancing scientific research. Additionally, Sentinel-1C introduces new capabilities for detecting and monitoring maritime traffic. Sentinel-1C was launched into orbit on December 5, lifting off aboard Vega-C at 22:20 CET (18:20 local time). The launch proceeded smoothly, with the rocket reaching space in eight minutes and dropping off Sentinel-1C at approximately 00:04 CET. European Space Agency’s Director of Space Transportation Toni Tolker-Nielsen said, “Today’s launch marks a crucial step forward, reaffirming European independent access to space. With Vega-C back in flight and the inaugural launch of Ariane 6 in July, we are in a great place going forward and I salute all the hard-working teams all over Europe and its spaceport who have worked tirelessly to achieve this success.” Click here to read… [10]

World Leaders Gather as Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens Following Restoration

On December 7, The Notre Dame Cathedral, an 860-year-old landmark, reopened its doors five years after a devastating fire brought it to the brink of collapse. The ceremony was headed by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich. World leaders like US President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and Britain’s Prince William were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron. In a symbolic gesture of unity, Trump shook hands with Zelenskiy and other world leaders before sitting beside Macron. The event was also attended by Elon Musk, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and former French presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. The restoration work returned the iconic spire, rib vaulting, and flying buttresses to their original grandeur. Thousands of artisans, from stonemasons to stained glass specialists have utilized age-old methods for ensuring authenticity and have dedicated five years to the project. Click here to read… [11]

EU Tries to get Closer to South America with Trade Deal

The European Union has signed a trade deal with four of South America's biggest economies- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called the agreement a "truly historic milestone" in an "increasingly confrontational world". A previous agreement in 2019 never came into force because not all EU member states were willing to ratify it. If this deal gets ratified by EU states, it means that companies trading between the two regional blocs will charge each other lower tariffs, use simplified customs procedures and it will give the EU easier access to raw materials. Ms von der Leyen told reporters in Montevideo it was in the interest of Europe's citizens. "It means more jobs and good jobs, more choices and better prices," she said. Last year, Europe sold almost $59bn (£46bn) worth of goods to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. This deal is set to grow exports of goods including cars, machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals at a time when trade tensions are growing with other parts of the world, the US and China in particular. Click here to read… [12]

Several European Countries Pause Processing of Syrian Asylum Claims

Several European countries paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims, following the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Insurgents, led by militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured Damascus over the weekend as the former dictator Bashar al-Assad and his family fled to Russia. Germany, which began taking large numbers of Syrian refugees during the Angela Merkel administration, said on Monday that it was pausing decisions on more than 47,000 claims from Syrians as it prioritised applicants from other countries. Austria’s Chancellor Karl Nehammer asked Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to suspend all Syrian asylum applications which were in process and to review all asylum grants. The U.K. also paused decisions on 6,500 asylum claims from Syrians, Angele Eagle, Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, said. Italy, Greece and the Netherlands also announced pauses to decisions on Syrian asylum claims, while France was deliberating the matter. Greece has paused asylum applications of about 9,000 Syrians, with a meeting planned for Friday to finalise the move. Norwegian immigration authorities said on December 9 that Syrians' asylum applications would neither be denied nor approved for now. Similarly, Swedish migration has paused decisions on Syrian asylum application, saying it was not possible to assess the need for protection. Click here to read… [13]

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Named ‘Most Powerful Person in Europe’

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has been named as the "most powerful person in Europe" by Politico. The media outlet released its annual ranking list of 28 most influential people in the continent. From being perceived as an ultranationalist to taking charge of Italy's highest office, Meloni has undergone a significant transformation in politics. In 2022, Meloni gave Italy its first far-right-led government since the end of World War-II and also became the first woman to serve as the country's prime minister. "The list captures another continental trend: the ascent of right-wing populists and ultranationalist figures. These leaders, who have undermined civil-rights and targeted minorities and asylum-seekers, have gained traction as centrist leaders flounder," Politico said. Click here to read… [14]

Romania’s Pro-European Parties Agree to Form Coalition Government

Romania’s pro-European parties have agreed to form a majority government in a move that will shut out far-right nationalists. The leftist Social Democratic Party, or PSD – which topped the polls in the December 1 election – reached an agreement late on December 10 to form a coalition with the centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL), the reformist Save Romania Union party (USR), and the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party. The election also saw three ultranationalist and hard-right groupings, some overtly pro-Russian, win more than a third of seats. The country’s parliamentary election followed shortly after a presidential vote in which the far-right, NATO-critic Calin Georgescu won the first round, prompting allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference. Click here to read… [15]

EU Slaps New Sanctions on Russia Targeting ‘Shadow Fleet’ of Oil Tankers

The European Union on December 11 issued new sanctions against Russia, targeting the "shadow fleet" of tankers that Moscow has deployed to circumvent Western restrictions on oil trade and maintain a source of revenue that is crucial to fund the war on Ukraine. The fleet consists of old-age, uninsured ships whose poor condition has stoked fears of an impending environmental disaster near or inside European waters. The Kremlin is using old-age, poorly kept tankers to sell its crude oil above the price cap established by Western allies. The sanctions were sealed by ambassadors of the 27 Member States and represent the 15th package since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Click here to read… [16]

EU Approves Full Schengen Membership for Bulgaria and Romania

The European Union has cleared Bulgaria and Romania to become full members of the borderless Schengen zone from the January 1, 2025. Hungarian Minister of the Interior Sandor Pinter, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, heralded the accession of the two countries as a “historic moment” at a gathering of ministers on December 12. The decision comes after a 13-year journey to accession for the two EU and NATO members, who were finally cleared for entry after Austria agreed to drop its veto, which it had previously wielded because of concerns about undocumented immigration. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis called accession a “natural and necessary step” that will significantly reduce waiting times at borders, lower logistical costs for businesses and raise attractiveness to foreign investors. The agreement foresees the joint deployment of border guards to the Bulgarian-Turkish border and temporary border controls on land routes for an initial period of six months, according to Austrian interior minister Gerhard Karner. Click here to read… [17]

Britain Joins Indo-Pacific Trade Bloc as First European Member

Britain officially became the 12th member of a trans-Pacific trade pact, the Comprehensive Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) which includes Japan, Australia and Canada on Sunday as it seeks to deepen ties in the region and build its global trade links after leaving the European Union. It is Britain’s biggest trade deal since Brexit. The accession means Britain will be able to apply CPTPP trade rules and lower tariffs with eight of the 11 existing members from Sunday - Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. The CPTPP does not have a single market for goods or services, and so regulatory harmonisation is not required, unlike the EU, whose trading orbit Britain left at the end of 2020. Britain estimates the pact may be worth 2 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) a year in the long run - less than 0.1 per cent of GDP. Click here to read… [18]