Afghanistan blame game – EURACTIV.com

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In this week’s version: Europe is struggling to cope with the chaos of the Afghan troop withdrawal, Belarusian border violations and Crimea becoming the focus.

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European and Western allies are sending military aircraft to Afghanistan as part of an ongoing effort to pull their citizens and vulnerable Afghans out of the country as the Taliban have increased their control of the country after two decades of war.

One of the most notable things in the past few days is the European Union’s Messaging The issue of Afghanistan has always been incoherent.

Many Europeans want to know whether the assumption that the West can use military and financial power to win the “people’s hearts” is wrong.

The impression that NATO has given to others has to a large extent been replaced by the unilateral decision of the United States and the abandonment of the “together in and out” principle, which is of no avail.In particular, as the alliance recently announced 2030 strategy It lists better political coordination and coherence in its decision.

In the security-conscious east of Europe, including the non-member country but partner country Ukraine, some people even worry about whether the United States will now abandon its Article 5 commitments in the event that Russia may arise…

In addition to the security disaster in Afghanistan, a refugee crisis is unfolding. If a large number of asylum-seekers travel to Europe, this may remind one of the specter of tensions within the EU five years ago.

Former Portuguese Secretary of State Bruno Maçães said: “The worst of the refugee crisis may be avoided, but new tensions and conflicts with Turkey and Iran are inevitable-if these two countries bear the brunt, then The resulting instability will affect us anyway.” The country in charge of European affairs, Said.

He added that the danger of another terrorist attack against Europe organized from Afghanistan is an option.

➝ Just come back from summer vacation, do I need to catch up with the problem? Here is all the information you need to know:

EU in the world

Belarusian border | More than a dozen Belarusian officers in riot gear Illegal entry into Lithuanian territory The Lithuanian border defense agency said it was pushing a group of Iraqi immigrants across the border this week.

The EU Interior Minister condemned the move and agreed that it is necessary to strengthen its external borders. But be aware of this connection: this is not a direct reference to Afghanistan, but rather uneasy about the prospect of a surge in Afghan immigration. Between Belarus and Afghanistan, The EU’s dispute over immigration is imminent.

Sustainable trade | In recent years, the EU’s trade agenda has been stagnant as the public has become increasingly suspicious that the proposed agreements with the United States, Canada, and South American countries will either benefit businesses or lead to lower environmental or social standards.

EU legislators must propose Sustainability is at the core of EU trade policy Otherwise, the public’s support may be lost-which means that civil society is at the core, Bernd Langer, chairman of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament, told EURACTIV.

Zoom in latest

“Friendly” media | Serbian President Alexander Vucic compares himself with former U.S. President Donald Trump As a politician victimized by Twitter, After social media decided to label many media organizations that support him as “pro-government.”

Refugee reception | The immigration crisis five years ago, when hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants traveled to Europe through the Western Balkans, caused tensions between the governments of the European Union and the countries in the region.

The three aspiring EU member states in the Western Balkans-Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia Accept U.S. request Temporarily accept Afghan refugees seeking visas to enter the United States.

Crimea zoom | Representatives of nearly forty countries, including some EU presidents and foreign ministers, will gather in Kiev early next week for the inauguration ceremony Crimea Platform Summit.

The new initiative aims to refocus international attention on Russia’s continued occupation of Crimea-its first meeting will coincide with the 30th year of Ukraine’s independence.

Nevertheless, although “Ukraine almost has the status of a member of the European Union and a member of NATO. The country already lives according to European standards”, Ukrainian President Volodmir Zelensky said in a statement that Ukraine was not invited to join This fact of NATO is impressive and sends a negative signal to other candidate countries. interview Before the crucial summit.

In the context of the ongoing war between Beixi 2 and the eastern part of the country, Western assurances seem to be indeed necessary.In addition, one of Russia’s most senior security officials Questioning Washington’s commitment to Ukraine Given its hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan, it is predicted this week that it will one day abandon its Ukrainian allies in the same sudden manner.

Merkel’s DO SVIDANIYA | German Chancellor Angela Merkel is about to bid farewell Eastern Europe Tour Stay in Russia and Ukraine.

In Moscow, she and her opponent President Vladimir Putin will hold talks on Friday because of the crisis in Afghanistan, Belarus, and Russia’s treatment of opposition politician Alexei Navalny (please note that this coincides The anniversary of Navalny’s serious illness on the plane) and Ukraine remain the source of tensions with Europe.

Despite many political differences, she and Putin, who has been the president or prime minister of Russia since 2000, have managed to maintain open channels of communication for many years. Real politics Some people in the West are watching this relationship suspiciously.

North Creek 2 | On the other hand, a The German District Court will decide On August 25, the European Union required whether the rules for separating energy production from transportation and trade must be applied to the disputed natural gas pipeline. At the same time, Gazprom has stepped up its pace: Russian state-owned company announced plans to deliver natural gas via Nord Stream 2 as early as the end of 2021.

Taiwan dispute. Lithuanian Ambassador to China said Be asked to go abroadA day later, Beijing asked Vilnius to recall its envoy and allow Taiwan to set up offices in EU member states in its own name.