Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case Georgia v. Russia
Author(s): Szymon Zaręba / Language(s): English
Keywords: Human Rights; ECtHR; Russia; Georgia; Crimea; Donbas;
In its judgment of 21 January, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) held Russia responsible for human rights violations committed after the end of the war in Georgia in August 2008, both by Russian troops and those of separatist authorities under its effective control in the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The ruling opens the way for Georgia to obtain compensation for the victims of violations in the future. It also confirms that the Abkhazian and South Ossetian authorities are subordinate to Russia, serving as proof of the deliberate destabilisation of the situation in Georgia by that state. It also increases the likelihood of favourable rulings for Ukraine and its citizens in cases against Russia pending before the ECtHR concerning human rights violations in the annexed Crimea and occupied Donbas.
Keywords: New START; USA: Russia; treaty; arms reduction;
On 26 January, the U.S. and Russia agreed to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) for five years, the longest possible period allowed by the accord. It was set to expire on 5 February. The extension of New START does not mean a new “reset” in U.S.-Russia relations and is mainly intended to limit the costs of competition between the two countries and the risks of escalation. The Biden administration stated that it will explore further arms control agreements with Russia but also firmly respond to aggressive Russian actions against the U.S. and its allies.
The 1 February military coup in Myanmar has stopped the country’s democratic transformation, hampers the prospects for peace, and deepens its international isolation. This will be the first major test for the new U.S. administration as it sets out to strengthen democracy around the world. The event may contribute to a joint initiative between the EU and the U.S.
On 2 February, a Russian court sentenced Alexei Navalny to two years and eight months in prison. The Russian authorities hope that this will weaken his political position. Anti-government protests have been going on since Navalny's return to Russia. The visit to Moscow by Joseph Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (4-5 February), signals that relations between the EU and Russia will not worsen after Navalny's imprisonment.
“17+1” Summit: The Crisis in China-Central Europe Cooperation
Author(s): Marcin Przychodniak / Language(s): English
Keywords: China; Central Europe; Crisis; Cooperation; Summit;
At the “17+1” initiative summit on 9 February, the usual “Guidelines” for upcoming cooperation were not agreed, just a plan of activities for the coming year. Moreover, some European countries were represented only at the ministerial level. This indicates growing scepticism of the initiative among some participants, mainly EU Member States. The crisis may worsen in the face of the continued lack of an attractive offer from China.
On 15 February, the member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) elected Ngozi OkonjoIweala as Director-General of the organisation. She is the first woman and first African in this position. She will focus on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, reforming the WTO, and mitigating the effects of the U.S.-China rivalry. Her election likely increases the importance of the interests of the least-developed members of the organisation, which may lead to a revival of talks that are sensitive to the EU, for example, concerning agriculture.
Summit of the V4 Prime Ministers in Kraków on the 30th Anniversary of the Visegrad Group
Author(s): Veronika Jóźwiak,Łukasz Ogrodnik / Language(s): English
Keywords: V4; Visegrad Group; Kraków;
The summit of Visegrad Group (V4) prime ministers was held on 17 February in Kraków with the participation of President of the European Council Charles Michel. It came in the current Polish V4 presidency and was part of the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Visegrad Group’s founding. During the meeting, the V4 leaders signed the Anniversary Declaration and Digital Declaration, and discussed regional and EU cooperation.
A Government of Reconstruction - Draghi becomes Italy’s Prime Minister
Author(s): Łukasz Maślanka / Language(s): English
Keywords: Italy; Prime Minister; Mario Draghi; government;
The vote of confidence in Italy’s new government on 17-18 February ended a month-long period of political crisis. The priority of Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet will be to fight the pandemic and restore the economy. Draghi in this position guarantees a stable pro-European and pro-Atlantic course for Italy despite the support of populist forces. Maintaining the unity of the multi-party government may prove to be his biggest challenge.
At a virtual meeting on 19 February, G7 leaders made important commitments to combat the COVID19 pandemic, including vaccination support for developing countries. They also want to cooperate in rebuilding the global economy and protecting the climate. The U.S. return to active multilateral diplomacy and close cooperation with democratic states, announced by President Joe Biden, strengthens the G7 format.
Towards Deeper Integration - Lukashenka’s Visit to Sochi
Author(s): Anna Maria Dyner / Language(s): English
Keywords: Russia; Belarus; Foreign policy; Alexander Lukashenka; Sochi; visit;
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenka met for the first time since September last year, and the main topic of their talks was plans for further integration of both countries. The course of the visit proves that Russia is pressing to deepen political, economic, and military cooperation, which will weaken Belarus’ international position.
Author(s): Veronika Jóźwiak,Melchior Szczepanik / Language(s): English
Keywords: EPP; Fidesz; Hungary; policy;
Fidesz MEPs’ withdrawal from the European People’s Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament (EP) on 3 March does not mean the Hungarian ruling party’s final separation from this grouping. It is, however, the first step towards creating a new political base that corresponds with Hungary’s Eurosceptic policy.
The week-long session of the Chinese parliament, which ended on 11 March, was focused on economic development in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unfavourable international situation. Multi-year development plans were adopted, mainly aimed at increasing China’s self-sufficiency. Parliament also approved a change to Hong Kong’s electoral law, increasing the central government’s influence over the region’s legislature, among other changes. The government’s report for 2021 also included another increase in the budget of the armed forces.
The election winners in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate are the parties currently governing in the federal states - the Greens (32.6%) and the SPD (35.7%), respectively. The result of the vote was a defeat for the CDU, which recorded its worst result in the history of elections in both regions. The Greens have reasons for satisfaction, as they strengthened the party’s position on the German political scene. The shape of local governments tends to indicate the potential scenario for a coalition at the federal level after elections to the Bundestag, scheduled for later this year.
President of Niger Awarded “African Nobel Prize” for Leadership
Author(s): Jędrzej Czerep / Language(s): English
Keywords: Niger; President; Award; African Nobel Prize; Leadership;
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation on 8 March awarded Mohammadou Issoufou, the outgoing president of Niger, a country that is the European Union’s most important partner in the control of irregular migration, a prestigious award for exemplary leadership. The 10 years of Issoufou’s rule serve as an example for neighbouring Mali and could be helpful in limiting the problem of unconstitutional third cadencies in West Africa.
On 12 March, the first ever meeting of the leaders of Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S. in the Quad formula was held in virtual form. The leaders announced a joint vaccine initiative, as well as institutionalisation and expansion of cooperation. The summit confirmed that the Indo-Pacific is the most important direction in U.S. foreign policy and that the Quad is becoming a permanent element of the regional architecture.
On 16 March, the first British global strategy after Brexit was published as the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy and entitled “Global Britain in a competitive age”. The document shows the increasing role of the Indo-Pacific region at the expense of Europe. This change may affect NATO’s Eastern Flank in particular.
U.S. Secretaries of State and Defence Visit Japan and South Korea
Author(s): Oskar Pietrewicz / Language(s): English
Keywords: USA; South Korea; defence; policy;
On 15-18 March, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin visited Japan and then South Korea. The visits served to strengthen key U.S. alliances in the region within the U.S. concept of the Indo-Pacific. However, the visits also revealed discrepancies between the views of Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. on regional problems such as China’s growing power and North Korea’s nuclear programme.
The meeting of the U.S. and Chinese delegations, chaired respectively by Antony Blinken, U.S. secretary of state, and Yang Jiechi, secretary-general of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Central Committee of the CPC, which ended on 19 March, confirmed the mutual will to continue the confrontation. The U.S. presented - also on behalf of its partners - a catalogue of discrepancies. China, firmly rejecting the American accusations, tried to obtain an announcement of the lifting of economic sanctions.
Author(s): Mateusz Piotrowski,Marcin Terlikowski / Language(s): English
Keywords: USA; State Secretary; Europe; visit; foreign policy;
On 23-24 March, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken participated in the session of the North Atlantic Council in the format of NATO states’ foreign ministers. He also held separate meetings with the Secretary General of the Alliance, his counterparts from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the countries of the Visegrad Group and the Baltic States, and representatives of European Union institutions.
Results of the Early Parliamentary Elections in Israel
Author(s): Michał Wojnarowicz / Language(s): English
Keywords: Israel; parliament; elections; result;
The latest parliamentary elections in Israel (23 March) again did not reveal clear winners. Benjamin Netanyahu lacks enough votes to form a coalition outright, and if the opposition remains coherent and reaches a common position, the prime minister may be replaced.
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