Headlines of this weeks Letter: #Ukraine - Tensions rise between #Russia, #Ukraine and the international community >> The G7 decided to temporarily suspend their participation in the work linked to the preparations for the G8 summit planned to take place in Sochi in June until the atmosphere has improved for constructive discussions at the G8. >> Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein freeze Yanukovichs assets >> Concern expressed by Nato defence ministers about Ukraine: The NATO Council which met on 2nd March 2014 asked for the deployment of international observers to settle the Ukraine crisis peacefully and called on Russia to withdraw its troops. The Council indicated that NATO will continue to support the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as the right of the Ukrainian population to decide on its own future without any external interference. The Council concluded its session indicating that it wanted to open up dialogue with Russia. The NATO Defence Ministers met on 27th February to voice their concern about Ukraine. #Defence - Cooperation on the part of the northern countries, engine for European Defence? >> In a study on European defence by Hanna Ojanen, a researcher for the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA) published in February 2014 the author defends the theory whereby cooperation between countries in the north of Europe might be an engine to drive forward greater European integration in terms of defence. According to the author since countries like Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland have created the NORDEFCO together (2009) and have come to agreement prior to the European Defence Council in December on a joint vision for 2020 this might be adapted to Europe in that the European Council had not succeeded in coming to a common vision. #CAR - Extension of the French mission in Central Africa >> The French National Assembly authorised the extension of the intervention by French armed forces in Central Africa on 25th February after a declaration made by the government, followed by a debate. They voted 428 in support, 14 against and 21 abstentions. In the Senate 327 Senators voted in support, 3 against. Operation Sangaris launched in December 2013 aims to bring calm back to Central Africa. Although the first part of the mission that aimed to make Bangui safe has been achieved the French army is now trying to stabilise the rest of the country. #Italy - Italian Parliament gives vote of confidence to Renzi government #Conferences >> The Robert Schuman Foundation will be organising a conference on 12th March in partnership with the European Commissions Representation in Paris on the issues at stake in the #enlargement of the European Union via debate over the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). Several European political personalities and experts on enlargement issues will be debating this question. It is obligatory to enrol. >> The S&D group at the European Parliament will be organising a debate on 5th March at the European Parliament on the theme of Far-right Populism and Extremism in Europe. Magali Balent, Project Manager at the Robert Schuman Foundation will be taking part in this event. >> EPP Study days: The EPPs Study Days will be taking place on 6th and 7th March 2014 in Dublin. The Chairman of the Robert Schuman Foundation Jean-Dominique Giuliani will be speaking at the round table on the theme of Re-establishing confidence in Europe on 6th March; the Chairman of the Scientific Committee Jean-Paul Betbèze will be participating on 7th March on How to revive the social market economy. This meeting will be broadcast live on eppgroup.eu. Read more here >>> robert-schuman.eu/en/the-letter/615
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:36:42 +0000
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