The Letter n°1011

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The Letter n°1011

The Letter

Tuesday 21^st February 2023

issue 1011

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Geopolitical and Technocratic: EU International Actorness and Russia's War Against Ukraine

Authors : Anne Pintsch, Maryna Rabinovych

Anne Pintsch, Maryna Rabinovych

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Union has experienced a "geopolitical awakening". To achieve its strategic objectives, however, it must continue to use its technical know-how and expertise.
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Front page! : Editorial Elections : Estonia Commission : Poland - Lorries/Buses Foundation : Recovery Ukraine/Russia : Sanctions/Russia - Parliament - Telephone - IMF - UN - Visit/Kyiv Parliament : Latvia - Climate - Industry - Fight/Corruption - Satellites - Elections - Women Council : Economy/Finance - Eurogroup Diplomacy : New Zealand ECB : Annual report - Inflation/Energy European Agencies : Airbus/India - Technology Germany : Security Belgium : Energy Spain : Future/EU France : Priorites/EU Macedonia : Frontex UK : Resignation/Scotland Moldova : Government Council of Europe : Armenia NATO : Meeting/Ministers Culture : Solidarity/Ukraine - Exhibition/Kyiv - Cinema/BAFTA - Exhibition/Timisoara - Exhibition/Bilbao - Exhibition/Padua - Exhibition/Hamburg - Photo/Gorlice - Exhibition/Manchester - Exhibition/Prague - Exhibition/The Hague - Exhibition/Paris

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Front page! : From Munich to Munich - 1938-2023

The Munich Security Conference, held on 17-18 February, contrasted with the one in September 1938, when the UK and France allowed Hitler to conquer the Sudetenland, notes Jean-Dominique Giuliani. Today, the West has understood that only a hard line can avoid bellicose escalation provoked by Putin's Russia... Read more

Elections : General elections in Estonia on 5 March

Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' Reform Party is the favourite in the Estonian parliamentary elections on 5 March. It is expected to win 31.9% of the vote. The Conservative People's Party is expected to come next with 22.8% and the Centre Party 18.1%. Eesti 200, the Social Democratic Party and Isamaa are running neck and neck with 8.4%, 7.1% and 7% respectively... Read more

Commission : Rule of law: appeal against Poland at the Court of Justice

On 15 February, the Commission referred Poland to the Court of Justice following two decisions of the Polish Constitutional Court in 2021, which consider certain provisions of the EU Treaties to be contrary to the Polish Constitution. The Commission considers that these decisions call into question the primacy of EU law and the right to effective judicial protection, and that the Court cannot be considered independent in terms of its composition. An infringement procedure was opened in December 2021... Read more

New emission reduction targets for trucks and buses

On 14 February the Commission proposed new emission reduction targets for lorries and buses. In 2030, their CO2 emission levels will have to be 45% lower than in 2019, 65% in 2035 and 90% in 2040. City buses will have to achieve zero emissions by 2030... Read more

Foundation : European Recovery Plans: figures and priorities

In response to the economic and social fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Union has established a €672.5 billion recovery fund. On 17 February, the Commission gave a positive preliminary assessment of Spain's third payment claim for €6 billion. The Foundation offers you an interactive map of the plans country by country, to check the amounts and timeframes... Read more

Ukraine/Russia : Proposed new sanctions against Russia

On 15 February, the Commission President presented a draft of new sanctions against Russia that will ban the export of technological and industrial goods worth €11 billion. It includes an extension of the sanctions regime to seven Iranian entities for the sale of goods for civilian and military use, including drones... Read more

European Parliament Resolutions

On 16 February, MEPs adopted a resolution to increase military support to Ukraine, including the delivery of ammunition. They also urged Member States to approve the Commission's proposed tenth sanctions package which will ban the export of industrial technology goods to Russia. In another resolution, they called for the release of Alexei Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia... Read more

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Free access to roaming for Ukrainians

On 14 February, the Commission proposed to include Ukraine in the EU roaming zone. Ukrainians will no longer have to pay extra to use their mobile phones when travelling in the EU, and Europeans will enjoy the same rights when travelling to Ukraine. The measure must now be approved by the Council... Read more

Towards IMF financial support

The IMF conducted a mission with the Ukrainian authorities to decide on potential economic support to Ukraine. "IMF staff and the Ukrainian authorities have reached an agreement" that "paves the way for the opening of discussions on a fully-fledged IMF-supported programme," the institution said. The agreement must now be approved by the IMF's executive... Read more

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Call for donations by the UN

The UN estimates that $5.6 billion is needed to meet humanitarian needs in Ukraine. 3.9 billion is needed to help 11 million people in Ukraine and the UN refugee agency is seeking $1.7 billion to help 4.2 million refugees... Read more

Visit by American, Swedish and Dutch leaders to Kyiv

On 20 February, US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv and expressed his support for Volodymyr Zelensky. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson visited Kyiv on 15 February to reaffirm Sweden's support for Ukraine and to discuss Ukraine's application for membership of the European Union and the reconstruction of the country. On 17 February, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte was also in Kyiv to discuss, among other things, future arms deliveries to Ukraine... Read more

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Parliament : Speech by the Latvian President

On 14 February, Latvian President Egils Levits addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He called on Europe to judge Russia's crimes and to give Ukraine a European future. He also called for a "political solution" to the challenges to the rule of law in Europe which could lead to "the weakening, if not the complete loss of democracy itself"... Read more

End of internal combustion engines for cars and vans in 2035

On 14 February, MEPs adopted legislation to cut CO2 emissions from new cars and vans by 100% by 2035 by ending the use of internal combustion engines, by 340 votes to 279 with 21 abstentions. An interim emissions reduction target is set at 55% for cars and 50% for vans by 2030. The text must be adopted by the Council. They also voted in favour of including energy targets in national recovery plans... Read more

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Developing industry, notably semi-conductors

MEPs adopted a position on 15 February on the Chips Act regulation and support the establishment of a shortage intervention mechanism to secure the supply of semiconductors. On 16 February, they adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to prepare plans for the relocation of industries in Europe, particularly in the field of strategic technologies... Read more

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Towards reforms to fight corruption

In response to allegations of corruption, MEPs on 16 February called for further transparency and integrity reforms, in particular the establishment of an independent ethics body. They voted in favour of financial penalties for infringements, a ban on paid activities that could create a conflict of interest, controls on travel paid for by the institution or working meetings with diplomats from third countries. They also gave the Special Committee on Foreign Interference the task of identifying shortcomings in the rules on transparency, integrity and the fight against corruption... Read more

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Call for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by the Union

MEPs called on the EU on 15 February to ratify the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and urged the six Member States that have not done so (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia) to ratify it. They adopted the Union's priorities for the next session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women... Read more

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Council : Meeting of Economy and Finance Ministers

On 14 February, the Ministers of Economy and Finance discussed the state of play of legislative proposals on financial services and the impact of sanctions against Russia. They adopted their position for the G20 ministerial meeting on 24 and 25 February. They also revised the list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions to include Costa Rica, the Marshall Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Russia, and renewed the restrictive measures against Zimbabwe until 20 February 2024... Read more

Eurogroup Meeting

Euro area finance ministers discussed developments in the energy markets on 13 February and committed to continuing efforts to diversify sources and reduce consumption. They reviewed labour market developments and exchanged views on the macroeconomic and financial outlook and policy coordination... Read more

Diplomacy : Presentation of the trade agreement with New Zealand

On 17 February, the Commission sent to the Council the draft decisions on the signature and conclusion of a trade agreement between the European Union and New Zealand. It will remove tariffs on most EU exports to New Zealand and protect over 2,000 sensitive EU agricultural products... Read more

ECB : ECB's annual recommendations

MEPs adopted their annual recommendations to the ECB on 16 February, calling on it to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies more closely to combat inflation and stressing the need to integrate climate change objectives into monetary policy. ECB President Christine Lagarde confirmed that the institution will raise its key interest rates by another 50 basis points in March in light of price pressures... Read more

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Monetary Policy after the Energy Schock

At a conference in London on 16 February, ECB Executive Board member Fabio Panetta gave an update on monetary policy after the energy shock, indicating that energy inflation slowed more than expected in December. He argued for an easing of monetary policy and a small step increase in interest rates to fight inflation without stifling economic activity... Read more

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European Agencies : Purchase of 250 Airbuses by Air India

On 14 February, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus signed an order with Tata Sons, owner of the airline Air India, for 250 aircraft: 140 A320neo, 70 A321neo and 40 long-range A350... Read more

Launch of the European Technology Champions Fund

The European Investment Bank, together with Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Belgium, pledged on 13 February to mobilise €3.75 billion in a new European fund to provide European high-tech start-ups with the capital they need... Read more

Germany : Munich Security Conference

The 59th Munich Security Conference took place from 17 to 19 February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for an acceleration of military support to his country. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recalled that Germany's support was designed to last and called on countries that could deliver tanks to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said that this is not the time for dialogue with Moscow and that France is ready for a prolonged conflict. Polish President Andrzej Duda called for stronger transatlantic ties. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stressed the need to strengthen Ukraine's long-term defences and recalled that the security of the European continent was a priority for his country... Read more

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Spain : Preparation of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

On 16 February, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sanchez, began his series of meetings to prepare for the Spanish Presidency of the Council, which begins on 1 July. He visited the Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, the Croatian Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, and the Slovenian Prime Minister, Robert Golob. Discussions focused on enlargement, energy transition and migration.. Read more

France : Elisabeth Borne's visit to Brussels

On 16 February, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne was hosted by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice-Presidents Frans Timmermans and Valdis Dombrovskis. Discussions focused on the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, climate change, energy and electricity market reform, as well as the industrial plan proposed by the Commission... Read more

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Macedonia : Green light to the agreement between Frontex and North Macedonia

On 15 February, MEPs approved an agreement between North Macedonia and Frontex that will provide operational support to national authorities in managing migration flows at the borders... Read more

UK : Resignation of the Scottish First Minister

On 15 February, the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation after eight years in office. She said she would remain as head of government until her successor is elected as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in March... Read more

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Moldova : New government led by Dorin Recean

On 16 February, the new Moldovan government, headed by Dorin Recean and comprising 15 ministers, including 6 women, was sworn in after the parliament gave it a vote of confidence. The reshuffle comes after the resignation of Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita on 11 February... Read more

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Gabriele Münter in Hamburg

Until 21 May, the Bucerius Kunst Forum in Hamburg is hosting an exhibition devoted to the Expressionist painter Gabriele Münter. While she is best known for her landscapes, the exhibition focuses on her portraits from 1900 to 1940, with around 80 paintings, prints, drawings and photographs... Read more

Exhibition of photographs by Krzysztof Ligęza in Gorlice

Until 8 March, the Karwacjan and Gladyszow Manor Museum in Gorlice is hosting an exhibition dedicated to photographer Krzysztof Ligęza and telling the story of a couple struck by tragic fate... Read more

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Mummies in Manchester

The Manchester Museum is hosting the exhibition "Golden Mummies of Egypt" until 31 December. Drawing on the museum's extensive Egyptology collections, it questions preconceptions about the purposes of mummification in ancient Egypt and the role of this practice in beliefs about life after death... Read more

Poster Art in Prague

Until 30 April, the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague is presenting an exhibition entitled "The Language of Posters, 1890-1938". The works are divided into three themes, "Art", "Advertising" and "Ideology". It brings together a collection of famous artists, such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Jules Chéret and Howard Chandler Christy, as well as some Czech artists... Read more

"Other Worlds" exhibitions by Escher in the Hague

Until 10 September, the Hague Art Museum is hosting an exhibition devoted to Escher. Entitled 'Other Worlds', it aims to present the artist's work in combination with that of the Belgian architectural duo Gijs Van Vaerenbergh... Read more

"Avant l'orage" in Paris

Until 11 September, the Bourse de Commerce in Paris is presenting an exhibition entitled " Avant l'orage " (Before the storm) exploring the relationship between man and nature. Against the backdrop of climate change, some twenty artists address our relationship with a living world in mutation... Read more

Agenda

21Feb

21 February 2023

Brussels

General Affairs Council

27Feb

27-28 February 2023

Stockholm

Informal Meeting of Ministers for Telecommunications, Transport and Energy

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The Letter's Editorial Team :

Stefanie Buzmaniuk, Helen Levy ;
Amandine Guérin, Basile Desvignes, Romain Maillot, Lina Nathan

Editors-in-chief: Eric Maurice
Publishing Director: Pascale Joannin
N° ISSN : 2729-6482

Contact/Suggestions
info@robert-schuman.eu

The Robert Schuman Foundation, created in 1991 and acknowledged by State decree in 1992, is the main French research centre on Europe. It develops research on the European Union and its policies and promotes the content of these in France, Europe and abroad. It encourages, enriches and stimulates European debate thanks to its research, publications and the organisation of conferences. The Foundation is presided over by Mr. Jean-Dominique Giuliani.

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