The Letter n°966

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The Letter n°966

The Letter

Tuesday 8^th February 2022

issue 966

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"If only ageing Europe had chosen the easy option of more immigration!"

Author : Giles Merritt

Giles Merritt

Despite the ageing population and the need for manpower, EU Member States are slow to think about and implement a real common immigration policy. They must do so before it is too late.
Read more

Front page! : Editorial Elections : Germany Foundation : Debate/Oceans - Publication - Healthcare/Europe - Belarus - Atlas/Europe Commission : Gas/Nuclear - Standards - COVID/Certificate Parliament : FPEU/Priorities Council : Migration/Schengen - Justice - Industry - Fight/Terrorism Diplomacy : Mali/Sanctions - Energy/USA ECB : Monetary Policy Court of Auditors : Energy European Agencies : Europol - Trafficking/Migration Finland : Future/EU - IMF France : Aviation - Armenia/Azerbaijan Italy : Investiture/President Poland : Justice - Mine/Coal UK : Ulster/Resignation Ukraine : Russia Norway : Bank Council of Europe : Turkey ECHR : Time limit/referral - Poland OECD : Romania Eurostat : Inflation - Unemployment Culture : Exhibition/Madrid - Exhibition/Brussels - Exhibition/Bern - Exhibition/Vienna - Exhibition/Munich - Exhibition/London - Exhibition/Amsterdam - Film/Berlin

Agenda | Other issues | Contact

Front page! : Rush to the Oceans

On the seas, the great game of powers, the balance of power between nations and continents, a new race for resources and, perhaps, the risks of reviving conflicts that we thought impossible are now being played out, writes Jean-Dominique Giuliani... Read more

Elections : Frank-Walter Steinmeier might be re-elected German President

Incumbent German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has the support of the main parties in the Bundestag and is therefore the favourite in the presidential election on 13 February. The German Federal Assembly, composed of members of the Bundestag and delegates from the Länder, elects the President... Read more

Foundation : One Ocean Summit

Jean-Dominique Giuliani will be one of the guests at the 'One ocean summit' which is being held from 9 to 11 February in Brest under the French Presidency of the Council. He will speak at the workshop "Which Europe of the sea?.. Read more

Unreservedly, European

In his new book, Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Foundation, unabashedly addresses his fellow citizens, who must refuse to accept the lies about the European Union while at the same time contributing unstintingly to its improvement. For in Europe, it is always the ideas of the "Grande Nation" that lead the way: Europe is something more for France and the French, nothing less. This book, published by Marie B, is available in paper format on the Foundation's website and in bookshops. Order it here... Read more

Map of Health Measures and Travel Conditions in Europe

On 1 February, the validity of the Covid certificate was reduced from 12 to 9 months in the absence of a booster vaccination. In France, as of 2 February, masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, cultural and sporting events no longer have spectator limits, and teleworking is no longer mandatory. In Sweden, from 9 February, there will be no limit on the number of participants at public events, the health pass will no longer be required and restrictions in bars and restaurants will be lifted. In the Czech Republic, health passes will no longer be required in bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas from 9 February. To follow the developments in the situation and to understand the measures in place in the EU Member States, the Foundation provides you with a complete map of the measures in place. An indispensable, regularly updated resource... Read more

Belarus: chronology of a revolution in progress

In a letter sent on 1 February to the Presidents of the Parliament, the Commission and the European Council, 77 MEPs expressed concern about the presence of Russian troops in Belarus, said the deployment could be part of a plan to "subjugate and occupy" the country, and called for decisions that could be taken to avoid a war in Ukraine not to be taken at the expense of an "independent and democratic future for Belarus"... Read more

The Permanent Atlas of the European Union is available

To better understand Europe in 2022, the Permanent Atlas of the European Union, a unique work, offers a complete and easy-to-access view of the European Union, the euro zone and each of its 27 Member States. It is available in English in digital version... Read more

Commission : Proposal to integrate gas and nuclear power into the green taxonomy

On 2 February, the Commission proposed to include certain gas and nuclear activities in the list of those that can make a transitional contribution to decarbonisation and adaptation to climate change. The delegated act aims to direct private investment towards the activities needed to achieve climate neutrality... Read more

New standardisation strategy

On 2 February, the Commission presented a new standardisation strategy designed to anticipate and prioritise needs in strategic areas, speed up the development of standards and improve the governance and integrity of the European standardisation system. The strategy aims to strengthen the EU's leading role in global standards and to stimulate innovation... Read more

Proposal to extend the digital COVID certificate

On 3 February, the Commission proposed to extend the validity of the EU's digital Covid certificate by one year, until 30 June 2023. It calls on the Parliament and the Council to adopt the proposal before the current expiry date of 30 June 2022... Read more

Parliament : Presentation of the FPEU to the committees

The French ministers for transport and tourism, fisheries, justice, European affairs and development presented the priorities of the French Presidency of the Council to the Parliament's committees from 31 January to 2 February and debated with MEPs... Read more

Council : Informal of Home Affairs Ministers

The interior ministers, meeting on 2 February in Tourcoing, agreed on the creation of a "Schengen Council" to more effectively steer the action of Member States and EU agencies such as Frontex. They endorsed the French Presidency's step-by-step approach to negotiations on asylum and immigration issues. They confirmed the need to increase a common adaptation and response capacity. Prior to the meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the ministers to outline France's proposals on these issues... Read more

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Informal meeting of Justice Ministers

The Ministers of Justice, meeting in Lille on 4 February, recalled the importance of defending the values of the Union in the face of the increase in hate speech, particularly on social networks, and physical attacks linked to hate speech against certain categories of people. They insisted on the need to adopt a European legal framework so that electronic evidence can be obtained in criminal matters, and exchanged views on the interest of better coordinating public alert systems in the event of the disappearance of minors. They discussed the issue of mutual recognition of parentage links between Member States... Read more

Meeting of Industry Ministers

The ministers in charge of industry met in Lens on 31 January and 1 February to discuss the strengthening of European strategic autonomy. They stressed the urgent importance of securing internal and external supplies of critical raw materials for European industry. They discussed new actions such as the future Emergency Instrument for the Internal Market, and the future chip initiative which should allow the EU to ensure 20% of the world's semiconductor production by 2030... Read more

Updating of the list of terrorist organisations

On 3 February, the Council updated the list of terrorist organisations, which includes individuals, groups and entities subject to restrictive measures. One person has been removed from the list. The 13 individuals and 21 groups and entities on the list have their funds and other financial assets frozen in the EU. EU operators are also prohibited from making funds and economic resources available to them... Read more

Diplomacy : Sanctions against five Malian leaders

The Council decided on 4 February to introduce restrictive measures against five individuals who are undermining the completion of the political transition in Mali. These individuals, including the transitional Prime Minister Choguel Maïga, are subject to an EU travel ban and an asset freeze. In addition, EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them... Read more

EU-USA Energy Council

High Representative Josep Borrell and Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson participated in an EU-US Energy Council on 7 February in Washington. They stressed the importance of strategic transatlantic cooperation, particularly to strengthen energy security and diversify supplies for the EU, but also for Ukraine and neighbouring partners... Read more

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ECB : Upkeep of the monetary strategy

The European Central Bank kept its strategy unchanged despite inflation and insisted on 3 February on the importance of maintaining a flexible monetary policy to stabilise inflation. ECB President Christine Lagarde nevertheless stressed "geopolitical tensions" which are having an impact on energy prices and did not rule out a rise in interest rates during the year. She recalled that asset purchases under the Emergency Pandemic Purchasing Programme (EPPP) will be discontinued at the end of March and that the pace of asset purchases will be gradually reduced over the coming quarters... Read more

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Court of Auditors : Analysis on energy taxation

The Court of Auditors published a report on 31 January assessing the relevance of energy taxes, carbon pricing and energy subsidies to the EU's climate objectives. In particular, it notes that current tax levels do not take into account the degree of pollution of different energy sources, and stresses the importance of combining regulatory and financial measures... Read more

European Agencies : Provisional agreement between the Council and Parliament to strengthen Europol

The Council and Parliament reached an agreement on 2 February to strengthen Europol's resources in the fight against new threats and new methods of operation. The new mandate will allow Europol to develop common technological solutions based on artificial intelligence and to receive personal data directly from private actors. The text provides for increased cooperation with the European Public Prosecutor's Office and allows Europol to suggest the opening of a national investigation into non-trans-border crimes affecting a common interest and which are the subject of an EU policy... Read more

Dismantling of migrant trafficking

German and Greek police, with the support of Europol, have dismantled a criminal group involved in smuggling migrants from Greece to Germany and other EU countries by plane and boat... Read more

Finland : Visit by the President of the Commission

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki on 3 February. They reiterated the need for de-escalation of tensions between Ukraine and Russia, coordination at European level, as well as the EU's support to Ukraine. The discussion also focused on forestry issues and taxonomy... Read more

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Discussion with the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Council President Charles Michel met on 4 February with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. They took stock of the implementation of the measures planned to reduce tensions and build confidence between the two countries... Read more

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Italy : Investiture of Sergio Mattarella

Re-elected on 29 January, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, was sworn in before Parliament on 3 February. Although he was not a candidate, he explained that he had agreed to be re-elected for a new seven-year term so as not to jeopardise the country's prospects for recovery... Read more

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Poland : The President puts forward a reform of the Supreme Court

Polish President Andrzej Duda presented on 3 February a bill proposing the abolition of the disciplinary chamber of the Supreme Court. This chamber would be replaced by a chamber of professional responsibility, comprising 11 judges appointed by drawing lots. The abolition of the disciplinary chamber was requested by the European Court of Justice in July 2021, and Poland was fined for failing to comply with the Court's ruling... Read more

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Agreement with the Czech Republic regarding the Turow mine

The Czech and Polish Prime Ministers, Petr Fiala and Mateusz Morawiecki, signed an agreement on 3 February concerning the operation of the Polish Turow coal mine. In 2021, the EU Court of Justice had ordered the Czech Republic to stop mining there. In exchange for the withdrawal of the Czech complaint, Poland undertakes to implement measures and infrastructure to protect the Czech Republic from pollution, as well as to pay financial compensation of around €45 million. On the day of the agreement, the Advocate General of the Court of Justice ruled that Poland had breached EU law by continuing the mine without assessing its environmental impact... Read more

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Norway : Jens Stoltenberg appointed as next governor of the Central Bank

The current NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was appointed to head the Norwegian Bank by the Norwegian government on 4 February. However, he has announced that he will not take up his post until 1 October, after his term as head of the Atlantic Alliance has ended... Read more

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Council of Europe : Referral to the ECHR in the case of the Turkish opponent Osman Kavala

The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has referred to the European Court of Human Rights over Turkey's failure to comply with a December 2019 court ruling ordering the immediate release of opposition figure Osman Kavala. The Court had found that the patron was arrested in 2017 and has been held since "with the unavowed aim of silencing him"... Read more

ECHR : Time limit for bringing cases to court reduced to four months

Since 1 February, the time limit for bringing cases before the European Court of Human Rights has been shortened from six to four months from the date on which a decision of the highest national court was handed down... Read more

Rule of law: condemnation of Poland

The European Court of Human Rights ruled on 3 February that the civil chamber of the Polish Supreme Court is not "an independent and impartial court established by law". It considers that the 2017 law amending the procedure for appointing judges, allowing the legislative and executive powers to interfere, undermines the impartiality and independence of judges. It concludes that Poland is in violation of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, guaranteeing the right to a fair trial... Read more

OECD : Economic study of Romania

An OECD report finds that Romania has made significant progress in terms of living standards before the Covid-19 pandemic, and that its economy has shown great resilience in the face of the crisis. The organisation suggests that the country should use EU funds effectively while continuing to make structural reforms in areas such as pensions and job creation. The OECD forecasts growth of 4.5% until 2023... Read more

Eurostat : Inflation increase in the euro zone in January

Annual inflation in the euro area was estimated at 5.1% in January, up from 5% in December 2021, according to data published by Eurostat on 2 February. Energy is expected to be the sector with the highest annual rate... Read more

Decrease in unemployment in December

The unemployment rate fell in December to 6.4% in the EU and 7% in the euro area, according to data published by Eurostat on 1 February... Read more

Culture : French Art in Spain

From 11 February to 8 May, the Recoletos Room of the Mapfre Foundation in Madrid is presenting an exhibition on the presence of French art in Spain from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This long period allows us to analyse the reciprocal influence and constant interaction between the two countries in painting, fashion, sculpture and the sumptuary arts... Read more

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Contemporary Art in Brussels

Until 29 May, the Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (Mima) in Brussels is showing 120 works from its permanent collection by 61 artists from all over the world in the exhibition "Reload". This exhibition is structured around three themes: the first part is devoted to artists who have not shown at Mima, the second presents works by artists who have shown at Mima, and the last imagines the legacy left by Mima if it were to close its doors at the end of 2026... Read more

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Gabriele Münter Retrospective in Bern

The Paul Klee Centre in Bern is showing a retrospective of the work of Gabriele Münter until 8 May. The co-founder of the Blue Rider group of artists is one of the most important women painters of German Expressionism. Her original and powerful style made her one of the pioneers of modern art. In addition to her paintings, prints and drawings, the exhibition also presents her photographic works... Read more

Dali and Freud at the Belvedere

The Belvedere in Vienna is hosting an exhibition on Salvador Dali and Sigmund Freud until 29 May. Paintings, photographs, books, surrealist objects, letters and other documents show the development of Dali's thinking and artistic production, from his discovery of the psychoanalyst's work to their meeting in London in 1938... Read more

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Venetian Art in Munich

The Pinacoteca Moderna in Munich is hosting an exhibition entitled "Venice, the Serenissima", which explores the relationship between Venice and art over the centuries. The city is celebrated through a series of urban panoramas and the art of Venetian drawing... Read more

Louise Bourgeois in London

From 9 February to 15 May, the Southbank Centre in London is hosting a retrospective of Louise Bourgeois' textile works. The artist's approach was to integrate clothing from different stages of her life into her art, creating sculptures, collages and installations that explore themes of sexuality and identity, memory, trauma and repair... Read more

Revolusi! Indonesian independence in the Rijksmuseum

From 11 February to 5 June, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam will be exploring Indonesia's struggle for independence between 1945 and 1949. The exhibition Revolusi! presents the stories of the people who lived through this revolution, as well as documents confiscated by the Dutch intelligence services at the time... Read more

Berlinale Film Festival

The 72nd Berlin International Film Festival, Berlinale, is taking place from 10 to 20 February. Eighteen films, including seven by women directors, are in competing with each other... Read more

Agenda

7Feb

7-8 February 2022

Strasbourg

Informal Meeting of Agriculture Ministers

9Feb

9-10 February 2022

Grenoble

Informal meeting of Healthcare Ministers

13Feb

13 February 2022

Germany

Presidential Election

13Feb

13-14 February 2022

Informal meeting of Trade Ministers

The Letter is also available in:

The Letter's Editorial Team :

Stefanie Buzmaniuk, Helen Levy ;
Emilie Malivert, Lucie Mielle, Ana Pasturel

Editor-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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