September 2018 – Page 2 – B2 Pro The daily life of geopolitical Europe

Notebook (19.09.2018). Confidential (COPS). Sanctions (Libya, coast guard). Peacekeeping (EUCAP Sahel Mali, Chief Minusma). Diplomacy (EU-Turkey Syria; Ukraine-reform; Colombia-presentation; Gaza-delegation). Aid (Central African Republic; Syria). Powers (Brexit-summit,…

September 19, 2018 B2 Writing 8 min read

(B2) Recently published: Migrations, borders… Donald Tusk proposes to strengthen cooperation with Egypt Create a European skills center in cybersecurity. The Commission's proposal Situation still just as critical in Libya. There

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Donald Tusk, Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and Sebastian Kurz in Cairo (credit: EU Council)

Migrations. Donald Tusk proposes to strengthen cooperation with Egypt (V3)

September 19, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 4 min read

(B2 in Salzburg) The question is on the agenda of the informal summit of Heads of State and Government on Wednesday and Thursday 19 and 20 September in Salzburg: should we strengthen cooperation with

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Business News Cybersecurity

Create a European center of expertise in cybersecurity. The Commission proposal

September 19, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 3 min read

The Commission recommends investing at least €2027 billion in cybersecurity skills development in the next budget period (by XNUMX). It also proposes the establishment in Brussels of a skills center

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Tim Eaton (credit: Chatham House)

North Africa - Libya Pro Decryption EU diplomacy

[Decryption] Situation still critical in Libya. The division between Italy and France adds fuel to the fire

September 18, 2018 B2 Writing 6 min read

(B2) Far from improving, the situation in Libya seems to be getting worse. The capital, Tripoli, which was thought to be under control, has become the new battleground for the militias and the UN-brokered ceasefire is particularly

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Business News Stabilization - Peace

EU support to the African peace and security architecture needs to be refocused

September 18, 2018 Emmanuelle Stroesser 2 min read

(B2) European Union support to the African Peace and Security Architecture has had “little effect”. "A refocusing is necessary" says the European Court of Auditors in a report made public this

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West Africa - Sahel Pro Decryption Missions Operations

[Decryption] The EUCAP Sahel Niger mission extended by two years. Objective: migration

September 18, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 3 min read

(B2) The EU support mission for the internal security forces of Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger) is extended for two years until 30 September 2020. The objective of combating irregular migration takes the

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Balkans Confidential Pro

The EU wants to encourage a school of security and defense for the Balkans

September 18, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 1 min read

(B2) The idea of setting up a security and defense school in the Balkans supported by the European Union is gaining ground. EU defense ministers discussed it in Vienna

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Business News Asia EU diplomacy

Cambodia. Last call for reason from Europeans before sanctions

September 17, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 2 min read

(B2) The EU's High Representative spoke out on Thursday (September 13) before the European Parliament, denouncing violations by the Cambodian government. The time for sanctions is approaching if there is no development

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Watch book

Notebook (17.09.2018). Confidential (Cops, EUCAP Sahel Niger – budget, EUNAVFOR Med – Belgium). Sanctions (North Korea). Peacekeeping (Manul, Colombia). Defense (NATO ministerial, F-35-UK, France-space). Diplomacy (Iraq-democracy,…

September 17, 2018 B2 Writing 8 min read

(B2) Recently published: European Defense Discussions (6): What to do for a successful PESCO (F. Mauro) Libyan sanctions. Euroclear bankers caught red-handed over resolution breach

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Mauro, Fabien Terpan (UGA) (Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne University)

Business News EU defense (doctrine)

[Verbatim] European Defense Talks (6): What to do for a successful PESCO (F. Mauro)

September 16, 2018 B2 Writing 6 min read

(B2 in Paris) The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is not fully operational and has already caused much ink to flow. Useful or not useful, genius or bureaucratic tool? Frédéric Mauro*, lawyer at the Brussels Bars

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'MEMO SHEET Borders Immigration Asylum Defense regulations

[Memo Sheet] The ETIAS system for third-country nationals

September 15, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 2 min read

(B2) Nationals of certain third countries will, from 2020, have to obtain an authorization to enter the European Schengen area. This is the meaning of the new ETIAS system implemented in 2018 The proposal

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Business News Borders Immigration Asylum Defense regulations

The Commission proposes an amendment to the asylum directives. Objective: to speed up returns

September 15, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 2 min read

(B2) The Commission wants to make return procedures more efficient by updating the European rules in force and laying down new milestones in the field of legal migration, an essential element of a migration policy

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Business News North Africa - Libya Defense regulations sanctions

Libyan sanctions. Euroclear bankers caught red-handed in violation of UN resolution

September 15, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 2 min read

(B2) In a comprehensive report on the Libyan sanctions, the UN Group of Experts finds that the Belgian bank, Euroclear, violated the embargo on Libyan funds by continuing to pay the

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Business News Balkans Neighborhood enlargement

[Verbatim] Our ticket to enter the European Union and NATO (Z.Zaev)

September 14, 2018 Emmanuelle Stroesser 2 min read

(B2 in Strasbourg) Invited to speak before the European Parliament on Thursday 13 September, the Prime Minister of Macedonia (FYROM), Zoran Zaev, gave voice to his dream of Europe. From Strasbourg, he spoke to his

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(Credit: European Commission)

Business News Police Terrorism Defense regulations

The Commission proposes a European anti-terrorist prosecutor's office

September 14, 2018 B2 Writing 6 min read

(B2) In its 'security' package, proposed on Wednesday (12 September), the European executive proposes to endow the future European public prosecutor's office with a new competence: cases of transnational terrorism The European Public Prosecutor's Office in the process of being established — it

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Confidential Pro Iran Case law sanctions

Iranian shipping company. The EU sanctions package on Iran challenged by the Court's Advocate General

September 14, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 1 min read

(B2) The (lengthy) submissions delivered by the Court's Advocate General, Eleanor Sharpston, on Thursday (September 13) will be a must-read for anyone who follows the sanctions regime and Iran Important Questions

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Viktor Orban in Parliament (credit: European Parliament)

EU defense (doctrine)Interview

[Interview] Peace Facility, Pesco, Sophia… There are still points to clarify (Steven Vandeput) (V2)

September 14, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 7 min read

(B2) For the Belgian Defense Minister, Steven Vandeput (N-VA), the informal meeting of Defense Ministers in Vienna on 29 and 30 August was an opportunity to note that the Ministers have

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Watch book

Notebook (14.09.2018). Confidential (EUSR Middle East, college budget, Cops visit). Sanctions (Libya). Peacekeeping (Manusom). Diplomacy (Iran-E4, Myanmar-ICC, EU-USA). Human rights (West Bank, Uganda, Cambodia). Neighborhood (Kosovo visas).…

September 14, 2018 B2 Writing 8 min read

(B2) Recently released: Watch out for China. A power that invests in diplomacy, including in Europe, alerts the European Parliament Juncker as guardian of the temple. His twelve commandments for a sovereign Europe

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Business News Asia EU diplomacy

Watch out for China. A power that invests in diplomacy, including in Europe, warns the European Parliament

September 14, 2018 Nicolas Gros Verheyde 1 min read

(B2 in Strasbourg) Europeans should pay more attention to China, which is growing in power at the global level, whether in diplomatic or investment matters, or simply official development aid, alert

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