European Union

After the horror comes the soul searching. And, with unseemly speed, so too comes the politics.

The revelations that the Syria refugee who blew himself up on Sunday night at a Bavarian music festival had pledged his allegiance to Isis has brutally revived nagging doubts in Germany about Angela Merkel’s refugee policy – specifically her decision in 2015 to welcome more than a million asylum seekers.

 

Germany is reeling. The suicide bombing was one of four attacks in the last eight days, three of which involved Afghan and Syria refugees as perpetrators. FAZ, in an editorial, asks simply how the country can“prevent the madness.”

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British Prime Minister Theresa May visited Northern Ireland on July 25 to meet with first and deputy first ministers, Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness. They discussed the impact of the Brexit vote.

“If you look ahead, what is going to happen when the UK leaves the European Union is that of course Northern Ireland will have a border with the Republic of Ireland, which will remain a member of the European Union,” said May during her visit to Northern Ireland, which will remain a member of the European Union. “But we’ve had a common travel area between the UK and the Republic of Ireland many years before either country was a member of the European Union.

“Nobody wants to return to the borders of the past,” she added. “What we do want to do is to find a way through this that is going to work and deliver a practical solution for everybody – as part of the work that we are doing to ensure that we make a success of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union – and that we come out of this with a deal which is in the best interests of the whole of the United Kingdom.”

As reported by the BBC, May arrived to Belfast emphasising her strong personal commitment to serving all the people of the UK. But, at Stormont Castle, she came face to face with the divisions opened up by the decision to quit the EU.

Although the UK voted to leave the European Union, 56% of people in Northern Ireland voted to remain.

In related news, the Guardian noted that the Irish government is increasingly hopeful that it will be able to retain both free movement and a customs union across the border with Northern Ireland, but the shape of any deal will depend on the kind of wider Brexit sought by May and the willingness of the rest of the EU to be flexible.

The post Theresa May in Northern Ireland appeared first on New Europe.

With 23 participating countries, including all of the world’s largest financial centres, covering the vast bulk of global financial services trade, the TiSA negotiations on financial services trade are strategically important for the EU. They are likely to deliver commitments and rules, which go significantly beyond the GATS package negotiated over two decades ago – and to extend their umbrella to a greater range of countries. In addition, the level of market access commitments ultimately incorporated into TiSA will set a new benchmark and reference point for future EU FTA negotiations. Depending on the outcome of remaining negotiations, the TiSA may also establish influential new and consolidated texts on such matters as data transfer, forced localisation, source code, regulatory transparency, and domestic regulation.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

"On 26 July 2016, Ms Maria-Cristina Stepanescu, a senior police officer from Romania, was appointed Head of the European Union mission on regional maritime capacity building in the Horn of Africa, EUCAP Nestor. She will take up her duties on 1 September 2016. She takes over from Acting Head Simonetta Silvestri.

This civilian CSDP mission forms part of the EU's comprehensive approach to fighting piracy in the Horn of Africa, alongside the EU Naval Force Somalia and the EU training mission for Somalia. EUCAP Nestor works to reinforce the capacity of Somalia to effectively govern its territorial waters in order to help them fight piracy more effectively. This includes advice, mentoring and training for the coast guard, maritime criminal justice system and coastal police.

Since February 2010, Ms Stepanescu has been a Seconded National Expert/Police Expert to the Civilian Conduct and Planning Capability (CPCC)/EEAS. She has previously held positions such as: Head of the Cooperation - Single Point of Contact/Schengen Department (2008-2010); Head of Programme Development and coordination Department (PDCD), European Union Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo (2005-2007); Policy Officer with the Institute for Research and Crime Prevention, within the General Inspectorate of Romanian Police, Ministry of Interior (2002-2004); Chief Investigator of Gracanica Police Station/Team Leader of Trafficking in Human Beings and Prostitution Unit, Serious and Organised Crime of Pristina Regiona, UN Mission in Kosovo (2000-2002); Policy officer, General Inspectorate of Romanian Police (1998-2000); Intelligence/CID officer, General Inspectorate of Romanian Police (1994-1998).

She has a Masters degree in Sociology and Social Sciences/Implementation of community Justice from Bucharest University, Romania (2000-2002) and a Law Degree from Alxandra Ioan Cuza Police Academy, Bucharest, Romania (1990-1994). She speaks Romanian, English and French.

The decision was taken by the Political and Security Committee."

(European Council - Press Release)

Tag: EUCAP NestorMaria-Cristina Stepanescu

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A public consultation process of the Constitutional Revision was launched by the Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, with a Latin American twist, paving the way for a “new political changeover” and “New Greece 2021”.

Tsipras aims to overcome “the narrow confines of Parliament” to limit the objections of “the conservative, old political system and the technocratic elite” that wants to limit the democratic influence of the people. The Greek Prime Minister proposed a constitutional review process “by the people for the people and not in absentia.”

This “democratic revolution” that leaves behind the specific terms of revision, provided already by the Constitution, so as to expand and ensure its popular legitimacy, “by a process that involves, organises, mobilises citizens. A process of active citizenship and not a restricted procedure, within the walls of the Parliament House.”

IIn September, the Constitutional Revision’s “steering committee” will be announced, in order “to conduct a broad, open debate nationwide,” in municipalities with the participation of scientific and social organisations, citizen movements, collectives and individual citizens.

The proposal that Tsipras presented on Monday at the Parliament’s terrace, consists of five pillars, interfering with the architecture of the political system, strengthening direct democracy tools, the rule of law, State – Church relations and social rights.

Tsipras even proposed a new referendum on the Constitutional Revision process, explaining later that Syriza and the “government of the left” do not aim to force citizens to take decisions that are beyond their knowledge but at the same time suggested that “important issues will not be judged by bureaucrats and specialists.”

Syriza government’s proposal put the President of Democracy under direct election of the citizens when a second vote within the Parliament House fails, in order to put an end to the automatic Parliament dissolution process that takes place automatically if such a vote fails for the third time in Plenary, causing acute fall of the government.

A change will also take place to the powers that the President of Democracy can exercise, by further expanding them to the level they used to be on 1975, before the Greek political system was reformed in order to ensure that most of the powers would be handed out to the Prime Minister.

On government issues, the proposal fully connects the government with Parliament, suggesting that the Prime Minister must be an active MP, putting an end to technocrat Prime Ministers with an exception of care-taking governments.

Further changes will be made in the use of referendums, expanding the option to popular initiatives of 500,000 signatures on national matters. The immunity of MPs will be abolished, but not if the MP acts in accordance with government policy.

Tsipras turned down the proposal on a Constitutional Court, proposing a rather intermediate solution of a judges advisory body, as “judges should not be allowed to legislate.”

On Church issues, Tsipras proposed a “neutrality of the State” but with preservation of recognition of Christian Orthodox religion as “prevailing religion, for historical and practical reasons.”

On independent authorities, Tsipras opposes the “technocratic ideology of deification of their operation and constant expansion of responsibilities and their powers,” asking for more parliamentary control on authorities that are already established with wide majorities of 4/5.

On social rights, Tsipras aims to pose a constitutional ban on public control of water goods and electricity waiver, while another issue that could bring friction to the second review negotiations of the third bailout programme such as collective bargaining, will become the only means to determine salary.

The post New Greece 2021: Tsipras’s Constitutional revision with a Latin American twist appeared first on New Europe.

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Meeting for the first time since the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration handed a legal victor to the Philippines in a dispute with China in the South China Sea, the foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) failed to reach an agreement on July 24. Cambodia blocked any mention to an international court ruling against Beijing in their statement.

As reported by the Reuters news agency, the ruling by the court in The Hague denied China’s sweeping claims in the strategic seaway, through which more than $5 trillion in global trade passes each year.

China claims most of the sea, but Asean members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei all have rival claims. Beijing says the ruling has no bearing on its rights in the sea, and described the case as a farce.

The Philippines and Vietnam both wanted the communique issued by Asean foreign ministers after their meeting to refer to the ruling and the need to respect international law, Asean diplomats said. Their foreign ministers both discussed the ruling with Asean counterparts in the Laotian capital.

“We are still working on it,” Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told Reuters after the meeting on July 24, adding that she hoped the Asean members would reach an agreement.

Cambodia’s Foreign Minister Prak Sokhon declined to comment on his country’s position on July 24.

One regional analyst, Malcolm Cook at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, told the Associated Press that the disagreement was hurting Asean’s image.

“Certainly, Cambodia’s paralysis of Asean… hurts Asean’s unity, cohesion, relevance and reputation,” he said. “It makes Asean peripheral, not central, on this issue.”

Asean now has until July 26 to come to an agreement, an unnamed diplomat told Reuters news agency.

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State John Kerry are also expected to meet and discuss the maritime issues.

According to Reuters, the United States, allied with the Philippines and cultivating closer relations with Vietnam, has called on China to respect the court’s ruling. It has criticised China’s building of artificial islands and facilities in the sea and has sailed warships close to the disputed territory to assert freedom of navigation rights.

In September, Barack Obama is scheduled to become the first US president to visit Laos, attending an annual summit hosted by the country that holds the ASEAN chairmanship.

The post Cambodia blocks joint statement on South China Sea appeared first on New Europe.

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ARY News reporting from Lahore said the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on July 24 opposed the Turkish ambassador’s demand to close down educational institutions run under the administration of Gulen mouvement.

Imran Khan questioned why Pakistani school children should have to suffer for the Turkish coup attempt and how Turkey could possibly be affected by Pakistani school kids.

He expressed his support for the Turkish democracy and clarified that Pakistan already had low literacy rate and closing down a large network of schools could be disastrous for the country.

The PTI chairman posted on his Twitter account: “While we stand firmly behind Turkish democracy, closing Pak-Turk schools in Pakistan, which has a high illiteracy rate, could be disastrous.”

According to the report, Gulen is running a large network of schools in Pakistan, providing education to students with meagre resources.

The post Pakistan-Gulen movement: Reactions to Turkey’s demands appeared first on New Europe.

The European Parliament aims to become the first 100% carbon neutral EU institution, as decided at the end of last year by the Bureau (President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors). In order to fulfil this commitment, a call for tender was opened on 16 July 2016.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The European Parliament aims to become the first 100% carbon neutral EU institution, as decided at the end of last year by the Bureau (President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors). In order to fulfil this commitment, a call for tender was opened on 16 July 2016.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

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In Turkey, human rights are in grave danger following coup attempt and subsequent crackdown. President Erdogan’s announcement of the imposition of a state of emergency must not pave the way for a roll-back in human rights or be used as a pretext to further clamp down on freedom of expression and protections against arbitrary detention and torture, said Amnesty International in a report.

“In a situation where almost 10,000 people are currently in detention, amidst allegations of ill-treatment in custody, and when government ministries and media institutions are being purged, the enhanced powers afforded by the state of emergency could pave the way for a further roll back on human rights,” said Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International’s Turkey researcher.

Although exact figures are unclear, Turkish authorities report that 208 people were killed and more than 1,400 injured across Istanbul and Ankara on Friday night when a faction of the military attempted to seize power, raiding TV stations and firing on the parliament and presidential buildings. Those killed include 24 people described by authorities as ‘coup plotters’, some of whom were reportedly lynched while unarmed and trying to surrender. Civilians were also killed when they took to the streets following a call for protest from President Tayyip Erdogan, facing down tanks and helicopters.

In the days following the coup attempt the Turkish government has made sweeping purges within the army, judiciary and civilian branches of the ministry of interior: 7,543 ‘coup plotters’ have been detained, 318 of whom have been placed in pre-trial detention. 7,000 police have been suspended and 2700 judges and prosecutors have been removed from their posts, representing just under a fifth of the judiciary. 450 members of the judiciary have been detained.

Although military school cadets who were arrested following the failed coup in Turkey were unwitting participants because their commanders told them they would be attending a “surprise party” for the new head of the academy, many of those imprisoned are subjected to inhuman treatments.

Turkish troops imprisoned after the failed military coup are being raped, starved and left without water for days, says Amnesty.

Many of the 10,000 detainees are locked up in horses’ stables and sports halls – some hogtied in horrific stress positions, according to human rights campaigners.

More than 200 died in the uprising which aimed to topple dictatorial President Recep Erdogan – and 1,500 were injured.

Amnesty says it has ‘credible evidence’ Turkish police are holding detainees in stress positions for up to 48 hours, denying them food, water and medical treatment and in the worst cases some have been subjected to severe beatings and torture, including rape.

John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Europe director, said: “Reports of abuse including beatings and rape in detention are extremely alarming, especially given the scale of detentions that we have seen in the past week.

“Despite chilling images and videos of torture that have been widely broadcast across the country, the government has remained conspicuously silent on the abuse. “

The post Amnesty: imprisoned military and plotters in Turkey subjected to inhuman treatments appeared first on New Europe.

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Gay rights groups in Denmark have criticised a decision to deport three Ugandans who claim they are lesbians. The women have one final chance to appeal the court’s decision, but if unsuccessful they will be deported on August 2.

As reported by Pink News online, authorities said they found inconsistencies in the women’s accounts.

But, according to LGBT Asylum, the women should be released, given the issues faced by LGBT people in Uganda.

“Homosexuals risk persecution from other civilians, their families and clan members as well as blackmail and assault. Homosexuals cannot expect police protection if they are attacked, threatened or killed,” said spokeswoman Hanne Gyberg.

“We believe that the decisions in their asylum cases were made based upon an incorrect foundation. Their sexuality was not considered in the rejections [and] we believe the Danish authorities should look at the cases again,” Gyberg added.

The post Denmark to deport three Ugandan lesbians appeared first on New Europe.

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Police in Finland are constantly on high alert for potential gun violence. Up to six mass shootings are prevented each year, according to police inspector Timo Kilpeläinen.

As reported by the online news site Yle, anticipating potential mass shooting threats is a skill that has been developed for years in Finland with authorities pooling their national resources.

“The authorities monitor dozens of people’s daily lives and internet activity through various levels of surveillance,” says Kilpeläinen.

These individuals are monitored because they behave in a threatening way toward others or frequent online forums that glorify violence.

“A system of pre-emptive measures has been built since Finland’s most recent school shootings [Kauhajoki in 2008 and Jokela in 2007].  If police receive information on a person’s intent to stage an attack, they are able to intervene,” says Kilpeläinen.

The post Half-dozen mass shootings prevented in Finland each year appeared first on New Europe.

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France’s interior minister is protesting accusations the government tried to cover up security failings the night of the Bastille Day attack in Nice that killed 84.

France’s Socialist government has come under fire for not doing enough to prevent a delivery man from ploughing a refrigerator truck into a crowd of revelers leaving a July 14 fireworks display on the Riviera city’s beachfront promenade.

The woman in charge of video surveillance in Nice on July 14, Sandra Bertin, told the Journal du Dimanche newspaper that government officials told her what to write in her report and that she should mention the presence of police she hadn’t seen.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement Sunday that he is suing for alleged defamation and said he is committed to uncovering the truth about what happened.

Many French are angry that the government couldn’t prevent the Nice attack despite a state of emergency in place.

Cazeneuve acknowledged that no national police were protecting the beachfront promenade targeted in the attack.

Led by regional government president Christian Estrosi, conservative politicians from Nice have aggressively questioned whether officers from the national police were present in sufficient numbers on the night of the attack.

Nice, a city of nearly 350,000 people, is France’s most heavily policed city with nearly 600 officers municipal police officers and other security agents – more than much larger cities – and an extensive network of surveillance cameras.

The post The Nice attack: growing rift between the government and local police appeared first on New Europe.

https://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/uploads/council-images/thumbs/uploads/council-images/remote/http_7e18a1c646f5450b9d6d-a75424f262e53e74f9539145894f4378.r8.cf3.rackcdn.com/4e11aa2a-5237-11e6-a6f0-bc764e090014_90.38_thumb_169_1469431143_1469431142_129_97shar_c1.jpg

On 24-25 July, EU Member States’ ministers and state secretaries responsible for European affairs debate on EU enlargement and on the EU’s strategic communication priorities. 

Download this video here.

http://tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu/uploads/council-images/thumbs/uploads/council-images/remote/http_7e18a1c646f5450b9d6d-a75424f262e53e74f9539145894f4378.r8.cf3.rackcdn.com/4e11aa2a-5237-11e6-a6f0-bc764e090014_90.38_thumb_169_1469431143_1469431142_129_97shar_c1.jpg

On 24-25 July, EU Member States’ ministers and state secretaries responsible for European affairs debate on EU enlargement and on the EU’s strategic communication priorities. 

Download this video here.

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Germany’s Green party has warned against radical Turkish nationalists in the country and suggested sanctions against Turkey in order to curb “Erdogan’s long arm”.

As reported by Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany’s international broadcaster, the party’s co-head, Cem Özdemir, said German politicians need to treat radical Turkish nationalist groups with the same caution as radical right-wing groups.

“There is, unfortunately, a form of Turkish PEGIDA in Germany that we must treat the same way as the group we already know of,” Cem Özdemir told the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.

Özdemir told the newspaper that, in Germany, there was a consensus that German right-wing populists existed “on the margins of society and are not normal interlocutors”.

If PEGIDA leader Lutz Bachmann were invited to an event, no “self-respecting democrat” would attend, said the Green party chief, urging this kind of political attitude to be applied to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan‘s government representatives who are based in Germany.

Özdemir also said the EU should consider sanctions against Turkey if democracy and human rights “continue to be suspended”.

The EU has expressed concern over the imposition of a state of emergency in the wake of an attempted military coup.

The post Germany’s Green party warns against Turkish nationalists appeared first on New Europe.