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Le nouveau commissaire européen désigné à la Défense, Andrius Kubilius, a pour mission ambitieuse de stimuler les capacités militaires de l’Europe en renflouant les stocks et en lançant des projets majeurs de capacité de défense.

Les responsables politiques de l’UE devraient évaluer soigneusement les conséquences d’une réduction des échanges commerciaux avec la Chine et ne pas faire d’excès de zèle, estime le président de l’Institut de Kiel pour l’économie mondiale.

Giorgia Meloni wished that "all political forces will actively engage with their respective European political families," to ensure Fitto's confirmation.

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From 15 to 17 October 2024, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit organized a training course for officials from Montenegro on how to use financial intelligence to effectively cut off terrorism financing channels in Bar, Montenegro. The event was organized with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The course brought together 15 representatives from the Montenegro Special State Prosecutor’s Office, the Police Directorate’s Financial Intelligence Unit and Organized Crime Department, and the Tax and Customs Administrations. Representatives gained valuable insights into both proactive and reactive analytical techniques, as well as investigative methods for financial investigations within the broader context of counter-terrorism operations.

The training highlighted the critical role of collecting, managing and using financial intelligence in counter-terrorism efforts. It also included a component on virtual assets, with a focus on analyzing cryptocurrency transactions. A team of national trainers, previously trained by the OSCE and supported by international experts, led sessions focused on financial information analysis and application of various analytical techniques in counter-terrorism operations. The trainers also engaged inter-agency teams in practical exercises, covering the intelligence cycle, intelligence grading, and network and data analysis.

The course is part of a comprehensive effort to further build Montenegro’s domestic framework to prevent terrorists from moving, using and raising funds for terrorist purposes, in line with international commitments and standards. This multiannual training programme is supported by the United States.

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With the outbreak of the full-scale war, the judicial system in Ukraine faced unprecedented challenges, especially in communities adjacent to a frontline where courts ceased to operate. In response, an ad hoc procedure was introduced for the duration of the war which stipulates the suspension of periodic judicial reviews of detention legality and its automatic prolongation.

Following the appeal by two suspects in  criminal investigations to consider the constitutionality of their detention without judicial review, the Constitutional Court, requested that the OSCE provide an amicus curiae, a consultative opinion from international expert Alexandru Tanasie on the case. Following this, the Court declared unconstitutional the ad hoc procedure, thus invalidating relevant provisions of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The ruling comes into force on 18 October 2024.

“Every human being is bestowed with inalienable dignity as part of his or her human nature. His or her dignity may not be denied even in cases when he or she is suspected of committing criminal wrong – in no case can a person be treated as an instrument in pursuit of however compelling public interest. I commend the opinion delivered in this case with the OSCE support by my eminent colleague Alexandru Tanase. Such instruments, like this amicus, offered by the OSCE within our project co-operation are effective and practical; they enrich our case law and help persuade. Thus, they have a lasting impact on human rights protection,” said Vasyl Lemak, the Constitutional Court’s judge-rapporteur on the case.

“We are pleased, that our help has such a noticeable impact, and our assistance is being used by our Ukrainian partner to prove in practical terms, that even in the duress of war Ukraine keeps human rights defense high on its agenda,” noted Pierre Baussand, the Chief of Operations of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine.  

The tool of constitutional complaint, used in this case, was introduced by the 2016 Constitutional reform and put into operation in 2017, when changes to the Law on the Constitutional Court of Ukraine developed with the OSCE’s support were approved by the Parliament. The OSCE comprehensive support in this area also involved training courses for human rights defenders on how to use constitutional complaints and capacity-building for the Court’s Secretariat’s staff to enable swift processing of submissions.

The Commission announced most member states failed to meet NIS2 transposition deadline, academia rallies against competitiveness fund idea with new expert report in hand.

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Representatives from the Aarhus Centres, pioneers in promoting environmental democracy, good governance, transparency and inclusivity, gathered for their annual meeting on 15 and 16 October to exchange experiences and ideas. This year, the event took place in Belgrade, Serbia and online.

The meeting was organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in close collaboration with the OSCE Mission to Serbia and with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia and the Aarhus Centre New Belgrade.

Over 70 representatives from the Aarhus Centres, national authorities, international organizations, civil society and OSCE field operations discussed the role of the Centres in implementing the key pillars of the Aarhus Convention and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year, the meeting mainly focused on the contribution of Aarhus Centres to implementing SDG 16 on “Peace, justice and strong institutions”, the importance of including the perspectives of youth and children in environmental decision-making, and the importance of climate change and environmental education.

“The unique role of the Aarhus Centres in bringing together different stakeholders including national and local authorities and citizens,” said Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. “They are effective promoters of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements, such as the Espoo Convention and the Water Convention,” he added.  

Mrs. Sandra Dokic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, said that her Ministry supported the establishment of the Aarhus Centres in Serbia to provide local population with environmental information and to promote public participation in environmental matters, and thanked the OSCE for the valuable support provided to the operation of the Centres.

Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of OSCE Mission to Serbia, stated that “since Serbia ratified the Aarhus Convention in 2009, it has been a cornerstone of the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s efforts to promote environmental governance. The Mission will continue supporting Aarhus Centres as key partners in promoting good governance and citizens engagement”.

“The Aarhus Centres can assist authorities in organising trainings, conducting consultations on pressing challenges related to climate change and environmental protection, adapting environmental information to the needs of children and youth, supporting their involvement in decision-making and promoting environmental awareness raising and education,” said Mr. Marco Keiner, Director of the Environment Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The 2024 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting was partially financed thanks to contributions from Italy and Norway to the extra-budgetary project “Strengthening Aarhus Centres in the OSCE area to promote good environmental governance and sustainable development”.

For more information about the OSCE supported Aarhus Centres, please see the webpage: Aarhus Centres | OSCE Aarhus

Alors que l’Ukraine s’apprête à affronter un nouvel hiver de guerre, elle continue d’insister sur l’urgence des livraisons de munitions et de matériel de défense aérienne, mais les discussions sur cette aide militaire se déroulent de moins en moins sous les feux des projecteurs.

Afin de renforcer la sécurité des infrastructures sous-marines, l’Allemagne et la Norvège proposent de diviser le territoire de l’OTAN en cinq régions maritimes, chacune sous la protection d’un membre de l’Alliance.

Beim EU-Gipfel wurde Vorschläge diskutiert, die den „neuen Wegen zur Verhinderung und Bekämpfung illegaler Migration“ von 2018 ähneln. Doch bereits damals wurden die Vorschläge in EU-Rechtsgutachten als „mit erheblichen rechtlichen und praktischen Herausforderungen verbunden“ eingestuft.

By focusing on inclusive development and social justice, the EU can effectively make a difference to the policies offered by Russia and China.

The letter had been drafted and was expected to be sent – but it fell through as political campaigning got underway, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau’s cabinet told Euractiv.

Die Republik Moldau steht vor einer wegweisenden Präsidentschaftswahl sowie einem entscheidenden EU-Referendum. Letzteres hat zum Ziel, den EU-Beitritt als verfassungsmäßiges Ziel festzuschreiben. Die Sorge vor russischer Einmischung bleibt dabei hoch.

Deutschland und Norwegen wollen die Sicherheit von kritischen Unterwasserinfrastrukturen innerhalb der NATO stärken. Eine Aufteilung des NATO-Territoriums in fünf Meeresregionen, bei dem jedes Gebiet von einem Mitglied der Allianz geschützt wird, soll dabei helfen.

The next meeting of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 4 December 2024 from 9:00-12:30 and 14:30-18:30 and on Thursday, 5 December 2024 from 9:00-12:30 in Brussels (room TBC).

Further information about the meeting can be found here.

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SEDE missions 2023:

• India - 17-21 December 2023
• Israel and OPT - 8-10 December 2023
  
• Germany and Poland - 24-26 July 2023
  
• Armenia - 19-22 June 2023
  
• Romania and Moldova - 15-18 May 2023
  
• Djibouti and Somalia - 1-4 April 2023
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 20-23 February 2023
  

SEDE meetings' calendar 2nd half of 2024 - 10th legislature
AFET-DROI-SEDE calendar of meetings - 2nd half of 2024
EP calendar 2024
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Ligne du Samu surchargée, déserts médicaux, manque de moyens et problèmes de répartition des personnels soignants... En Serbie, les soins urgences sont bien loin des standards européens et des associations tirent la sonnette d'alarme.

- Articles / Serbie, Mašina, Société, Santé

From 14 to 17 October 2024, a delegation from Albania’s Central Election Commission (CEC), including representatives from the Regulatory Commission and the technical staff, conducted a study visit to Sarajevo, focused on the administration of the out-of-country voting. The visit – organized by the OSCE Presence – comes at a crucial time for Albania, as the CEC is drafting secondary legislation to facilitate the participation of Albanian citizens living abroad in the 2025 parliamentary elections.

The Albanian delegation met with representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Central Election Commission, officials overseeing the election counting process, and representatives of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meetings, participants discussed the rules and procedures for out-of-country voting, focusing on voter registration for citizens living abroad, the preparation of voter lists, voting procedures, tabulation of results, and the use of new technology. The Albanian officials were introduced to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s nearly three decades of experience in implementing out-of-country voting, including challenges faced and the solutions developed over the years. Special emphasis was placed on the recent local elections, where measures were taken to enhance the integrity and inclusiveness of voting from abroad.

The OSCE Presence in Albania organized the visit as part of its "Support to electoral reform and processes in Albania" project funded by Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S. Mission to the OSCE and Poland.

The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Children face distinct and heightened risks from the escalating im- pacts of climate change and increase in disasters. As disasters increase in number and severity around the world, children and young people in several countries but also in Greece bear the greatest burdens that can last a lifetime. They are often impacted first and most severely by crisis in their education, livelihoods, health and wellbeing. Girls, women, people with disabilities, displaced children, and families living under the poverty line are especially vulnerable. Disasters threaten all children’s inherent rights guaranteed in the Convention on the Rights of the Child to life, survival, protection, development, participation and free expression. The pres- ent report provides an analysis of the state of climate in Greece; a review of the climate policy and regulatory framework assessing the extent of child sensitivity and inclusivity; a children’s vulnerability mapping of the 13 Regions of Greece; and lastly how climate change affects children in Greece, mainly in the domain of education, overall service provision, mental health and well-being. The key outcomes have been shaped into a set of recommendations to competent Authorities and stakeholders that directly address the critical challenges faced by children in Greece in the aftermath of environmental disasters, exacerbated by climate change.

Key findings & takeaways of the present report:

• 2023 was the warmest year of the last 30 years, and the third driest year since 1991.
• 25 Municipalities declared State of Emergency on the grounds of drought and water stress in the period May-September 2024.
• Existing national policy & regulatory framework on climate change adaptation lacks particular measures and pro- visions for and by children, as well as other social standards.
• Peloponnese, Thessaly and Western Greece are the three Regions of Greece with a higher disaster risks 307,763 children are estimated to be at high risk of being affected by climate change in Greece.
• 80% of teachers that participated in the focus group discussion stated that the schools they work (or have previously worked) at are inadequately equipped to handle extreme weather events.
• Almost 70% of students that participated in the U-Report poll reported that they were not able to attend their class- es due to adverse weather during the last year.
• Increased anxiety, followed by limited greenery and forests were the two most prevalent effects of climate change as reported by young people participating in the U-Report poll.

Authors: George Dikaios, PhD, Research Fellow,ELIAMEP; Persefoni Kerentzi , PhD (c ), Schoolteacher; Vagia Tsoutsi, PhD, Reseacher at Aiginiteio University Hospital Athens; Marianna Terezaki, Research Assistant, ELIAMEP; Socratis Vlachakis, Programme Officer- Climate & Environment, UNICEF.
Advisory committee: Emmanouella Doussis, Professor, NKUA

Read the full report here in pdf.

Der designierte Energiekommissar Dan Jørgensen soll bei seiner Anhörung im EU-Parlament laut Dokumenten die CO2-Preispolitik der EU und die Stromexporte in die Ukraine verteidigen. Außerdem wird ihm angeraten, sich mit Befürwortern der Atomkraft zu versöhnen.