Italy foreign minister sees Ukraine joining EU and NATO once war ends
- Ukraine will become a member of the European Union and also of NATO, but it cannot enter the military alliance while it is still at war with Russia, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-foreign-minister-sees-ukraine-joining-eu-nato-once-war-ends-2024-02-17/
Norway ready to step up defence needs, prime minister says
- Norway is "ready to stand up and be counted" on defence spending ahead of a NATO Washington summit in July, the Nordic country’s prime minister told Reuters on Saturday, adding that Oslo was preparing a new long-tem defence plan.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/norway-ready-step-up-defence-needs-prime-minister-says-2024-02-17/
US, Arab, European ministers meet in Munich to outline post-Gaza ideas
- Senior U.S., Arab and European officials met in Munich on Friday to discus progress on formulating a plan for post-war Gaza that would be linked to normalizing ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, officials and diplomats said.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-arab-european-ministers-meet-munich-outline-post-gaza-ideas-2024-02-16/
After Berlin, Zelenskiy signs French security pact amid Navalny shock
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a new long-term security pact with France on Friday, after securing a similar deal and aid from Germany, in a tour jolted by news of the death of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.
Germany may need to exceed 2% NATO spending target, defence minister says
- Germany may need to spend more than 2% of its gross domestic product on defence to deter Russia in the coming years, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday.
European Commission outlines upcoming defence strategy proposal
- The European Commission will present a defence industrial strategy proposal in three weeks, commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday, and will also open a defence innovation office in Ukraine.
Greek Business Optimism Soars with Fast-Track Visas for Turkish Tourists
- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces fast-track temporary visa for Turkish visitors to 10 Greek islands.
- Visa initiative aims to boost tourism amid decrease in Israeli tourists, particularly benefiting islands near Turkish coast.
- Local officials and business owners anticipate economic growth as influx of Turkish visitors expected to fill tourism void.
EU Imposes Sanctions on Indian Company Over Russia Trade Amid Ukraine Conflict
- EU sanctions target Indian, Chinese, and other international companies trading with Russia, aiming to curb support for Moscow's military efforts in Ukraine.
- First instance of Indian and Chinese companies facing EU sanctions.
- Sanctions coincide with the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reflecting continued Western pressure on Moscow despite limited military support for Kyiv.
- Diplomatic tensions rise as India defends its longstanding ties with Russia.
HFCL Ltd. Ventures into Europe with Optical Fibre Cable Plant in Poland
- HFCL Ltd., an Indian telecom equipment manufacturer, announces strategic expansion into Europe with a new optical fibre cable manufacturing facility in Poland.
- Move reflects HFCL's commitment to addressing evolving telecom infrastructure needs in Europe, leveraging its expertise in optical fibre technology and manufacturing.
- Poland chosen as a strategic location for the plant to facilitate efficient distribution across European markets and capitalize on the country's favorable business environment.
Houthi Attacks Disrupt India-Europe Diesel Trade, Plummeting Shipments to Two-Year Low
- Ongoing Houthi attacks on merchant shipping disrupt diesel trade, leading to a two-year low in shipments from India to Europe this month.
- Higher freight costs, driven by Red Sea turmoil, contribute to the decline in diesel flow to both the European Union and the UK.
- Data from Vortexa Ltd shows arrivals of fuel from India to Europe averaging only 18,000 barrels per day in the first half of February, a more than 90% drop from January's average.
- Analysts attribute the decline to increased shipping costs to the west, prompting tankers to consider longer journeys and higher costs, with routes often necessitating evasion of the Houthi threat near South Africa's Cape of Good Hope or navigating the Suez Canal with its associated risks.
Interpol: A Double-Edged Sword in the Hands of Autocrats
- Interpol's red notices, akin to international arrest warrants, have been abused by authoritarian regimes to target political dissidents, journalists, and activists across borders.
- Blue notices, seeking information about individuals, have seen a surge in usage, often circumventing stricter red notice checks and leading to wrongful alerts.
- The stolen and lost passport database has been exploited by countries like Belarus and Turkey to harass dissidents abroad, posing challenges for Interpol's policing efforts.
- Direct messages between countries via Interpol systems, such as diffusions, remain largely unchecked and can result in arrests, raising concerns about due process and political abuse.
Northern Ireland Forms New Government Amidst Brexit Border Dispute
- Sinn Fein emerges as the leading party in Northern Ireland, securing the position of Prime Minister for Michelle O'Neill, marking the first nationalist leader in Stormont's history.
- Emma Little-Pengelly, representing the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), assumes the role of deputy first minister, highlighting the power-sharing agreement between nationalist and unionist parties.
- The DUP's reluctance to accept the internal trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of Britain, created as a result of Brexit, led to a boycott of Stormont institutions following the 2022 elections.
- The border in the Irish Sea, necessitated by the UK's withdrawal agreement with the EU, aims to maintain the border-free status between Northern Ireland and Ireland, preserving the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement and the EU single market.
