Are we in the summer in Cuba? – EURACTIV.com

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We are witnessing the largest protest against the Communist regime in Cuba in decades.

As the Caribbean countries face one of the biggest economic crises since the collapse of the Soviet Union, thousands of Cubans chanted “freedom” and called on President Miguel Diaz-Canel to step down and join the streets from Havana to Santiago. protest last weekend The largest anti-government demonstration in decades took place on this island run by the Communist Party.

Several protesters, activists and journalists were detained.

European Union Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Peter Stano told reporters in Brussels: “The fate of these people is not in prison, but in public.” He called the arrest “unacceptable” and demanded that the Cuban authorities “release it immediately.” All those detained.

Stano did not say whether Joseph Borrell, the EU’s chief diplomat, plans to further intervene in the matter.

As the European Union has repeatedly accused Havana of human rights violations, relations with Cuba have been strained in recent years, which has been the crux of the 2016 Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA). The agreement has been approved by all member states except Lithuania.

Spain MEP José Ramón Bauzá (Renew) sent a letter This week, Borrell, signed by 32 members of the European Parliament, called on the EU’s chief diplomat to “strongly condemn” the Cuban government’s repression, release pressure from detainees, and hold an emergency meeting under the PDCA.

“Regarding specific economic measures, the European Fund should support Cuba’s independent civil society, not state-owned enterprises, which ultimately enriches the elite of the regime,” Boza, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the European Parliament, told Orak.

“This will be the first step for the EU to start putting money on its lips,” he added.

The Spanish Ministry of Environmental Protection added that “unless the Cuban authorities clearly commit to implementing the human rights provisions of the agreement and realizing real democratic changes, the EU should immediately initiate a moratorium” because “PDCA has failed to achieve its goals”.

He also criticized Borrell for his “half-hearted criticism” of the Cuban regime.

In early June, Borel under fire When he had to defend the approval and implementation of the political dialogue agreement with Cuba before the European Parliament, some people thought it was an internal political game.

A leaked e-mail hinted that some socialist EU legislators had close ties with the Cuban regime, but Borrell thought this was “ridiculous.”

Belarusian border. Another episode of the ongoing confrontation between Lithuania and Belarus is heating up: According to the Lithuanian Border Guard, nearly 1,700 migrants entered Lithuania illegally from Belarus this year. This is 21 times the number of illegal immigrants within six months of 2020 as a whole. Enter a state of emergency, border fence and Frontex rapid reaction force.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told EURACTIV that official entities, such as airlines and travel agencies, participate in organized human trafficking through Belarus and may face sanctions In the interview.

In cross-border investigations across Lithuania, Belarus and Iraq, EURACTIV media partners Light Rail Discover new routes for human smuggling.

Foreign Affairs College. In order to overcome the growing pains of its diplomatic decision-making, the EU must have its own European Diplomatic Academy, European Parliament proposal, As seen by EURACTIV, recently indicated.

This week the European Commission and EEAS Announce The plan can be implemented as it is.

Presidential barbecue. Introduce Slovenia’s foreign policy priorities for the EU’s rotating presidency to the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anže Logar Baked by a member of the European Parliament The non-paper on the re-delineation of the Western Balkan border, the situation in North Macedonia and Albania, and Prime Minister Jan Sha’s recent controversial statement on Iran (Borrell was not amused).

The plight of Afghanistan. US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, coupled with the increasing rampancy of Taliban insurgents, caused severe headaches in Brussels because Europe is worried about the new wave of immigration An EU diplomat from the East told EURACTIV. “Post-U.S. Afghanistan poses a severe challenge to immigration because we expect more and more people to try to flee the Taliban,” he said. read more.

Lebanon sanctions? Under the leadership of France, The EU is seeking to increase pressure After the 11-month crisis left Lebanon facing financial collapse, hyperinflation, power outages, and fuel and food shortages, Lebanese politicians quarreled endlessly.

The move is part of a broader international effort aimed at forcing a stable government capable of implementing key reforms out of the political chaos and economic collapse that have occurred nearly a year after the Beirut port bombing.

New beginning? EU Chief Diplomat Joseph Borrell said that with the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Yail Rapide to Brussels, the EU is ready to “restart” with Israel, but urged progress in peace efforts.The two parties stated that their goal is to resume the meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, which is a A controversial move for some people.

Transatlantic connection

Swanson visit. German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday. This may be her last visit to Washington after nearly 16 years in power.

Before the visit, EURACTIV Germany Since detailed information about the West’s strategy for China and the future of the Beixi 2 pipeline will determine the sustainability of the touted new starting point, politicians and analysts were contacted.

Interesting facts: According to the State Department’s Office of Historians, during her tenure, Merkel visited the United States at least 19 times, including 11 visits to the White House.

Defensive angle

Space force. NASA and European Space Agency (ESA) Join forces this week In the fight against climate change, they said this move paved the way for the global response to this problem.

Simultaneously, Germany’s first space command center, The defense operations including military reconnaissance, satellite surveillance and hazardous space junk tracking were officially launched.

Strategic autonomy? Defense news It has published its top 100 list, which provides hints on how the broader international defense market will respond during the pandemic. Spoiler alert: There are no defense companies headquartered in the EU in the Top10.

Spy warning. The top spy master in the UK will warn the public against threat Spies from Russia and China As vigilant as terrorism, warn that foreign spies are seeking to steal technology, sow discord and attack infrastructure.

Zoom in latest

The expert said. This The EU lost in the battle in the BalkansRussia and China provide bonuses without demanding reforms. Geopolitical experts said at an event organized by EURACTIV Bulgaria this week that they recommend strengthening cooperation and establishing the Balkan Common Market as the best way forward.

Under attack. Earlier this week, thousands of people gathered in Georgia to demand the resignation of the government after a TV cameraman was severely beaten by far-right attackers during a protest against the LGBTQ Pride March.

Four independent Georgian television stations Pause broadcasting for 24 hours On Wednesday, protests against the attack on journalists and the death of a photographer.