Leaving your home country and settling abroad can be overwhelming, it requires a very open-minded and positive attitude. There are days when you absolutely love where you are and others when you feel homesick; it can be difficult to deal with so much change at one time : culture, language, weather, making new friends, among others.
Being an expat myself, I believe home is a feeling and I encourage you to stay positive and nest in your new location by embracing your new surroundings.
I remember when I moved to Stockholm I did my best to find a spaceful apartment outside the city center and made it warm and charming, with a couple of additions. I was always happy to come back from work and sink into my very own sanctuary, despite the extreme winter months. The fact that I felt so “at home”, made my whole experience a fantastic and rewarding memory abroad.
A home definitely demands to be created, so enhancing your living abroad experience means having a place you love. If your new rental seems dull and colourless, have fun with your decor and interior decoration. The range of experience gained from living in multiple cultures is quite valuable, display it and make it more personal.
An easy way to create an intimate, elegant and/or warm atmosphere is by bringing accents of color and balance with: throw pillows, plants, books and rugs. All these placed purposely can elevate and lift a room, particularly when painting walls is not an option.
Let me help you bring cosiness and style to your living space (even if you feel it’s cold and uninviting). By adding texture, delightful materials and pleasant lighting, I can create for you a home away from home that you look forward to be in everyday.
Style Me Cocco is my home styling company and it delivers a multisensory experience : how you feel in a styled room, what you see is pleasing to the eye, what you touch has a pleasant texture and what you smell transports you to a happy place. Thus, adding home scents to the home styling service completes our mission of delivering feel-good-homes by providing a sense of well-being. We work exclusively with fragrances Made in France that provide the best and most sustainable quality.
We also offer an exquisite range of furniture and decor objects from Spain that will make a unique statement to any property.
Remember, happiness is an inside job and self care begins with your intimate space. Having an alluring home wherever you are is not an expense, it’s definitely an investment.
Antigua and Barbuda is an independent democratic island state of the Commonwealth, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, belonging to the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles. It consists of 3 larger islands (Antigua and Barbuda and Redonda) and many smaller ones. The twin-islands state has a total area of about 440 km2 and has about 100’000 inhabitants. It is entirely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean (to the north and east) and the Caribbean Sea (south and west).
The country’s form of government is a constitutional monarchy with a British-style parliamentary system. The reigning British monarch (Elizabeth II) is represented in Antigua by an appointed Governor-General as the head of state (currently Sir Rodney Errey Lawrence Williams).
The official language is English; Creole-English is also spoken. Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981.
The twin-islands are a very popular tourist destination and most of the attractions are located on the island of Antigua while Barbuda has its strong point in miles of completely virgin and unspoiled beaches. Everyone knows the island of Antigua for its beaches, crystal clear sea, orchids, bamboos, palm trees, and excellent climate. That is why it is a popular holiday destination. The island has 365 beaches, all free and open to the public. “One for every day of the year” as the locals say. By boat is the best way to explore them all and choose the one you like most.
The beauty of Antigua and Barbuda has long attracted the international jet set. VIPs such as Giorgio Armani, Stefano Gabbana, Leonardo Del Vecchio, Jean-Paul Belmondo and Robert De Niro have long chosen Antigua & Barbuda as their spiritual refuge.
Beyond its natural beauty, Antigua and Barbuda offer great investment opportunities: tourism, renewable energy, agriculture, constructions, digital assets business, and financial services are booming sectors in the country. In 2018, for the first time, it opened an embassy in Madrid, located in Calle Felipe IV n. 7 (www.embassy.ag). The Head of Mission is Ambassador Dario Item.
Moreover, in order to collect and display all relevant information in an organic and accurate manner, Antigua and Barbuda launched this year AntiguaBarbuda.com, the country’s first and official business hub for potential international investors who are looking to learn more about the investment and business opportunities in the country.
The hub is home to a wide array of information that many potential investors and visitors of Antigua and Barbuda may find helpful in their decision-making process.
Why invest in Antigua and Barbuda?
There are many good reasons to invest in Antigua and Barbuda: Stable, democratic, and business-friendly government. First of all, Antigua & Barbuda is a small, stable country both politically and socially, with a healthy democratic system of government based on the Westminster (UK) system. Antigua & Barbuda is one of the most secure and safe countries in the Caribbean and compares very well worldwide for low crime rates and law rule. The government of Antigua and Barbuda is definitely business-friendly and can count on an efficient administration and a fast decision-making process.
Well Educated and Skilled Population
Furthermore, Antigua & Barbuda is one of the more prosperous states in the Eastern Caribbean, with Tourism, Business Service Outsourcing, and Financial Services as the largest economic sectors. The literacy rate is over 95%, reflecting a consistent focus on investment in education.
Antigua & Barbuda has developed practical human resource skills in tourism, information technology-enabled services, financial services, and construction. A network of colleges and accreditation and certification bodies ensures that skills quality meets world standards. Further, government policy aims at ensuring that the skills produced match competitive business requirements.
The country has also enacted cutting-edge digital assets legislation and aspires to become one of the most attractive hubs for digital exchanges and cryptocurrencies.
Robust ICT Infrastructure
Antigua & Barbuda places a high priority on ICT as an essential enabler for national development. Consequently, the country has experienced rapid growth in its ICT sector, driven by significant public and private sector investment. Antigua & Barbuda now has a modern telecommunications infrastructure, which has facilitated fast growth in broadband internet and data and voice services vital for modern information-intensive businesses.
Business-friendly Currency and Foreign Exchange Environment
Antigua & Barbuda is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) within a common central bank and currency area. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar that is pegged to the US Dollar at the rate of EC$2.70 to US$1. The country has no foreign exchange controls or restrictions on capital repatriation.
The attractive tax regime for inward investors
The country has also an attractive tax regime for inward investors. Antigua & Barbuda’s corporate income tax rate is 25%. Exemption from payment or reduction in the rate is allowed depending on the level of capital investment and the number of jobs created in new investment proposals. Further, exemption from or reduction in the import duty rate on raw materials, components, machinery, and equipment can also be granted. The presence in the country of a free zone also allows to maximize profits thanks to the strong tax incentives granted by the government.
Welcoming People
The people of Antigua & Barbuda are noted for their friendly and welcoming nature, particularly towards visitors, whether tourists or investors. There is wide acceptance of the importance of attracting foreign investment into the country.
Robust legal and regulatory framework
Antigua & Barbuda has a Common Law system based on the UK model. The legal code guarantees investor protection, facilitating an attractive investment environment. In the Latin American Caribbean Region, Antigua & Barbuda is ranked highly for enforcing contracts and protecting investors.
Antigua and Barbuda
Excellent travel links
The Antigua and Barbuda airport is the most modern, stylish, and efficient airport in the Caribbean. It is definitely one of the flagships of the country.
Antigua is easily accessible by direct scheduled flights from the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States; by charter flights from Germany and Italy; and by regional flights from almost all Caribbean islands.
Covid-19
The country and its government also did very well in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and has one of the lowest infections and fatality rates in the world. Their preventive measures have been in place since the onset of the pandemic and have proven to be effective.
With the goal of attracting investors and further stimulating the economy, the country has also activated citizenship and residency programs.
Citizenship by Investment Program
Antigua and Barbuda offers the possibility to acquire citizenship by investing in the country. Depending on your preferred lifestyle, there are several paths to acquiring citizenship through investment.
Whether you are looking to apply for citizenship for yourself and your family, here are some of the benefits of having an Antigua and Barbuda passport:
Live long-term in a Caribbean country known for its white sand and blue waters.
Lifetime citizenship for your family/qualified dependents with a one-time investment.
Visa-free travel to more than 150 countries, including EU Schengen areas, the UK, and Ireland.
No wealth, inheritance, and personal income taxes.
Since 2019, Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can travel through a visa waiver program in Russia, Ukraine, and Kosovo.
Freedom of movement within the Caribbean (CARICOM) countries.
Ability to freely hold dual or multiple citizenships.
Investment options
The citizenship-by-investment program (CIP) allows foreign investors have the following options:
a)Contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF)
US$100,000 for a family of up to four applicants.
US$125,000 for a family of five or more applicants.
b)Contribution to the University of West Indies (UWI)
USD 150,000 (inclusive of processing fee) for a family of six or more is entitled to citizenship as well as a one-year scholarship (tuition only) for one of its members.
C)Real estate option
Minimum of US$400,000; or US$200,000 as part of a joint investment.
d)Investment in business
Minimum of US$1.5 million for a single investor; or $400,000 as part of a consortium investment of more than $5 million.
Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) Program
Antigua and Barbuda welcomes investors and entrepreneurs who are looking to stay longer in the country. It is offering a long-stay visa through its Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) program.
The program is designed for those whose work can be done remotely, and want to do so from a safe Caribbean country. The country allows many entrepreneurs to maintain access to modern facilities and amenities, including reliable telecommunications infrastructure.
Eligible applicants will be granted a special-resident authorisation that will be valid for up to two (2) years from the first instance.
Fees
For those who want to proceed with the application, fees are:
US$1,500.00 – single applicant
US$2,000.00 – couple
US$3,000.00 – a family of 3 and over
The application is restricted to foreigners whose minimum annual income is USD 50’000 or more.
Antigua and Barbuda is a beautiful and safe location, with a great quality of life and excellent travel links. What are you waiting for to visit us?
The first address of the European Commission since the pandemic was one highly anticipated by all the citizens of the EU block. On September 16, President Ursula von der Leyen took it upon herself to reveal the EU’s roadmap for a post-Covid world following the approval of the recovery funds last July which constituted a breakthrough and sent a welcome signal in terms of cohesion and solidarity on the part of the 27 members.
Aside from paying tribute to our frontline workforce and praise the courage and human spirit showed by all in the face of virus spread, von der Leyen set out what she called Next Generation EU; a movement to breathe new life into the EU but also and most importantly to adapt and lead the way into shaping tomorrow’s world.
Through her speech, the president highlighted roughly 8 key themes which will be at the centre of this new European era’s agenda for the next 12 months, in accordance with the cardinal principles of trust, tolerance and agility.
In other words, the 750 billion recovery funds raised extra-ordinarily will be directed towards the following areas:
1° Economy: the Union members must all breed economies that offer protection, stability and opportunities in the face of the continuous health crisis with a specific wish expressed for a stronger Health union – and thereby an extension of the Union’s competencies on the matter – but also the advent of European minimum wages. 2° Green Revolution: the Union will adopt more radical attitudes towards mitigating climate-change and safeguarding our planet, starting with the ambitious aim of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through the EU’s Green Deal. So called ‘lighthouse’ high-impact and hydrogen-based projects will become an additional focus. 3° Technology: Europe has to step up its game and become a digital leader through securing industrial data and using it to support innovation. Delineating the use of AI by regulating the field, creating a secure EU e-identity and ensuring connectivity deployment so as to fully cover rural areas are also high on the list. 4° Vaccine management: The Union praises the open approach followed up until now in facing the virus whilst many others have opted for withdrawal and undercutting of cooperation. Having served as an example regarding vaccines research and funding, the EU must uphold its policy all the way to the finish line and ensure its accessibility for every citizen around the world. 5° Multilateralism: the current international order system needs some rethinking and international institutions need reform in order to de-paralyze crucial decision-making in urgent situations. This starts with the EU taking faster univocal positions on global issues (Honk-Kong, Moscow, Minsk, and Ankara) and systematically and unconditionally calling out any HR abuses whilst building on existing partnerships with EU’s like-minded allies. 6° Trade: Europe will be made out as a figure of fair-trade by pushing for broker agreements on protected areas and putting digital and environmental ethics at the forefront of its negotiations. Global trade will develop in a manner that is just, sustainable, and digitized. 7° Migration: A New Pact on Migration will be put forward imminently as to act on and move forward on this critical issue that has dragged for long enough; in that regard every member state is expecting to share responsibility and involvement including making the necessary compromises to implement adequate and dignifying management. Europe is taking a stand: legal and moral duties arising from Migrants’ precarious situations are not optional. 8° Against hate-inspired behaviours and discriminations: A zero-tolerance policy is reaffirmed by the Union by extending its crime list to all forms of hate crime or speech based on any of the sensitive criteria and dedicating budget to address de facto discriminations in sensitive areas of society. It is high time to reach equal, universal and mutual recognition of family relations within the EU zone.
Granted, the European ‘priorities forecast’ feels on point and leaves us nearly sighing in relief for it had been somewhat longed for. The themes are spot on, catch words are present and the phrasing of each section is nothing short of motivational with the most likely intended effect that the troops will be boosted and spirits lifted subsequently. When looking closer to the tools enunciated for every topical objective, there seems however to be nearly only abstract and remote strategies to get there.
This is because a great number of the decisive steps that the Union wishes to see be taken depend on the participation of various instruments and actors. Not only does it rely for most on the converging interests, capabilities and willingness of nation States (inside and outside the euro zone), but it is also contingent on the many complex layers and bodies of the Union itself. And when a tremendous amount of the proposed initiatives for European reconstruction is reliant on such a far-reaching chain of events, it simply calls into question the likelihood for the said measures and objectives to be attained – or at the very least in which timeframe.
One might then rightfully wonder whether good and strong willpower coupled with comprehensive projections can be enough. And perhaps in the same vein, whether we can afford to wait and let it play out in order to find out? In his recent writing Giles Merritt, founder of the platform ‘Friends of Europe’ tends to suggest we most certainly do not have the luxury of waiting it out and not pushing the forward thinking even further. Indeed, according to him, Europe could and should do more. More than a call for action and change that might end up echoing and fading in the depths of the EU’s bureaucracy, the Union would be expected to back up its ambitious intentions with the setting up of an independent planning agency to ‘ensure revolutionary ideas and projects are speedily implemented’, to borrow Merritt’s words.
Whilst van der Leyen’s announcement was promising and efficient in that it sent an important message – the EU is wanting to get in the driver’s seat – only the follow-up with radical motions such as the creation of a readily available tool to implement fast and impactful changes can lend support to a claim that Europe is in a position to resolve current internal and external EU challenges, and more generally to bounce back from conceded decline suffered in the most recent decades.
As a matter of fact, Diplomat Ali Goutali and Professor Anis H. Bajrektarevic were the firsts to make an analysis in that sense as they articulated their proposal for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) earlier this year. Faced with similar challenges and need for sharper thinking and tools in order to be at the forefront of the economic and technologic challenges ahead, the OIC had relied heavily on its Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and agenda reform to reinforce its cooperation and innovation capabilities as a global player.
Nevertheless, Goutali and Bajrektarevic already felt months ago that additional steps ought to be taken for the OIC to be able to respond swiftly and reaffirm further its mandate of facilitating common political actions. To that end, it was suggested that a mechanism for policy coordination in critical times – the Rapid Reaction Capacitation – in charge of, primarily, vaccines management and AI applications should be introduced. Furthermore, the stakes behind the urgent need of strengthening our international order through cohesive endeavours are evidently the same for both the EU and the Arab World. That is to permanently leave behind a pseudo-competitive nation-based attitude that is nothing but a relic from the past and has achieved little in the context of the Covid outbreak.
Hence, if such an independent body was to be established, all three authors agree that it could gather the indispensable political power and resources to carry out the desired reforms on multilateralism, cyber and digital infrastructures, Covid recovery measures or geopolitical partnerships. Necessarily streamlined in order to avoid undue blockades, these new regional bodies could be composed of energetic forward thinkers across the private and public sectors empowered to map out and act on adequate strategies for a post-Covid world. This is because we all share the same goal: achieving solidarity not only on paper or as a conceptual motto but in real life and in real time. And after all, didn’t von der Leyen herself concur with that line of thinking as she enjoined Member states to move towards qualified majority voting to avert slow and cumbersome decision-making processes?
It seems pretty clear to me that such discussions in relation to the aggressiveness in actions and potential bureaucratic barriers might raise an old-as-the-world yet still very important questions: Should we, Europe, be ready to risk losing some of the legitimacy or democratic aspects of our political bodies in order to gain in speed and efficiency in times of crisis? And if not, considering the embracement of some of our supra-national entity’s actions is already on shaky grounds, how can we ensure that such bold measures may still be reconciled with maximal legitimacy given our equally urging need for unity?
About the author:
Nora Wolf
Nora Wolf is a Swiss based international politics and economics specialist from the Kingston and University of Geneva. Her expertise includes Human Rights, Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law in an inter-disciplinary fashion for the EU and the UN-related thinktanks and FORAs. She is currently attached with the IFIMES Permanent Mission to the UN Geneva as the second alternate.
Ljubljana/Geneva, 27 January 2021
Footnotes: [1] IFIMES – International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies, based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has Special Consultative status at ECOSOC/UN, New York, since 2018.
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9968 (Research ● Nora WOLF ● Recovery action plan of the Union: On Next Generation EU & a New Independent authority?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9962 (Research ● Academician Prof. Dr. Mirko Pejanović: Lessons learned after the implementation of the Dayton peace agreement)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9961 (Analiza ● Akademik prof. dr. Mirko Pejanović: Lekcije naučene nakon implementacije Daytonskog mirovnog sporazuma)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9958 (Press release: Lamberto Zannier becomes the new Director at IFIMES for the Euro-Mediterranean Diplomacy and Intercultural Affairs)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9960 (Saopćenje za javnost: Lamberto Zannier novoimenovani direktor za Euro-mediteransku diplomaciju i interkulturna pitanja IFIMES-a)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9947 (Research ● 2020 Albania: Edi Rama takes Albania closer to Latin America not EU)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9946 (Analiza ● Albanija 2020: Edi Rama Albaniju približava Latinskoj Americi, umjesto EU)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9944 (Research ● 2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina- Croatia: Relations in the shadow of recent history)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9943 (Analiza ● Bosna i Hercegovina – Hrvatska 2020: Odnosi u sjenci nedavne prošlosti)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9942 (Research ● 2020 Bosnia and Herzegovina: There will be no rule of law without the comprehensive reform of the BiH judiciary – Fadil Novalić case illustrates the state of the BiH judiciary)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9940 (Analiza ● Bosna i Hercegovina 2020: Vladavine prava nema bez temeljite reforme pravosuđa – slučaj Fadil Novalić oslikava stanje u bh. pravosuđu)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9941 (Research ● 2020 Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict: Return of Russia to Caucasus – end of war between Armenia and Azerbaijan)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9938 (Analiza ● Sukob Azerbajdžana i Armenije 2020: Povratak Rusije na Kavkaz – kraj rata između Armenije i Azerbajdžana)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9940 (Analiza ● Bosna i Hercegovina 2020: Vladavine prava nema bez temeljite reforme pravosuđa – slučaj Fadil Novalić oslikava stanje u bh. pravosuđu)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9937 (Research ● Maria Maria Smotrytska: European logistics hubs of Belt and Road Initiative. Aftermath of the BRI implementation in CEEC)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9935 (Research ● Prof. Dr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic: Binarization of Foreign Policy Conduct)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9936 (Analiza ● Prof.dr. Anis H.Bajrektarević: Binarizacija vanjske politike: Tko je izgubio Nesvrstane?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9933 (Research ● 2020 United States of America: Foreign Policy of the New US Administration for Europe, Middle East and Western Balkans)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9929 (Analiza ● SAD 2020: Vanjska politika nove američke administracije prema Evropi, Bliskom istoku i Zapadnom Balkanu)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9932 (Research ● General (Rtd) Corneliu Pivariu: The Great Powers’ Competition in The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the First Half of the XXI Century. Eventual Possibilities of Cooperation Among Different Players)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9931 (Research ● Viola Christian: To Achieve the SDGs, We Must Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9930 (Studija ● akademik prof.dr. Mirko Pejanović: 25 godina Daytonskog sporazuma: Pretpostavke ubrzanja integracije Bosne i Hercegovine u EU)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9928 (Research ● 2020 Morocco–Western Sahara: One of the oldest conflicts in Africa on the verge of a new war?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9925 (Research ● 2020 Local elections in BiH: Introduction into tectonic changes on the political scene)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9923 (Analiza ● Lokalni izbori u BiH 2020: Uvod u tektonske promjene na političkoj sceni)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9924 (Research ● 2020 Bulgaria: Bulgarian ‘certification’ of identity of Macedonians and Macedonian Language?)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9922 (Analiza ● Bugarska 2020: Bugarsko „certificiranje“ identiteta Makedonaca i makedonskog jezika?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9921 (Research ● Araz Aslanli: Brief History of Ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9919 (Research ● Marie-Christine Ghreichi ● Perceiving corruption: Rethinking accountability, revolution and challenging the status quo in Lebanon)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9917 (Research ● 2020 Local Elections in BiH: Wave of political changes moves from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9916 (Analiza – Lokalni izbori u BiH 2020: Talas političkih promjena seli se iz Crne Gore u Bosnu i Hercegovinu)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9915 (Research ● Marie-Christine Ghreichi: The death of the Second Republic: Understanding the spark for social mobilization in contemporary Lebanon)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9914 (Research ● Dr Jožef Kunič ● 2020 Slovenia: Slovenian Foreign Policy – Way ahead)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9910 (Research ● General (Rtd) Corneliu Pivariu ● Libanon 2020: From “The Pearl of the Orient” to failed state?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9909 (Research ● 2020 Azerbaijan –Armenia conflict: Historical conflict or conflict with geostrategic dimensions)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9907 (Analiza ● Sukob Azerbajdžana i Armenije 2020: Historijski sukob ili sukob sa geostrateškim dimenzijama)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9905 (Analiza – Bugarska 2020: Bugarska svoje probleme izvozi u Sjevernu Makedoniju)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9906 (Research ● Tereza Neuwirthová ● How to Spend it: An Austro-Franco-German Proposal for a European Covid-19 Recovery Programme)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9903 (Research – 2020 US-Serbia-Kosovo agreement: New era of Serbia-US political and economic relations)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9901 (Analiza – Sporazum SAD-Srbija-Kosovo 2020: Nova era političkih i ekonomskih odnosa Srbije i SAD)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9902 (Research ● Guido Lanfranchi: Political will is needed to foster multilateralism in Europe – Dr. Franz Fischler says)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9899 (Research – Maria SMOTRYTSKA: Belt and Road in the Central and Eastern EU and non-EU Europe: Obstacles, Sentiments, Challenges)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9898 (Research ● Faiza Koubi: Morocco’s relentless diplomacy in the Libyan crisis)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9897 (Research – Nora Wolf: Human Rights 75 years After: Privacy respect in the EU)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9894 (Research ● Audrey Beaulieu ● All for Global Citizens: President Fischer on 75 years of triumph of antifascism)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9889 (Press release: Executive Director of the WIIW Institute Dr. Holzner received the IFIMES delegation)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9891 (Research – 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Montenegro: Will EU recognize results of elections in Montenegro?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9892 (Research ● Nora WOLF: Throwback to a powerful and timely HR message addressed to the citizens of the world)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9884 (Research – Haim Koren&Gideon Behar: Security in the Shadow of Climate Change in the Sahel)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9883 (Reseach – Guido Lanfranchi: Tee future of Europe depends on its neighborhood – UfM’s Nasser Kamel says)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9881 (Research – 2020 Parliamentary Elections in Montenegro: End of Milo Đukanović’s Era)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9888 (Saopćenje za javnost: Izvršni direktor Instituta WIIW dr. Holzner primio delegaciju IFIMES-a)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9885 (Analiza – Parlamentarni izbori u Crnoj Gori 2020: Da li će EU priznati rezultate izbora u Crnoj Gori?)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9882 (Analiza – Bjelorusija 2020: Bjelorusija između imperijalizma EU i okupacije Rusije)
Link (ENG/RUS): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9887 (Research – 2020 Belarus: Belarus between EU imperialism and Russian occupation/Беларусь 2020: Беларусь между империализмом ЕС и оккупацией России)
Video: 01 First panel Vienna International Conference 2020: The WWII legacy – Nurnberg and Tokyo trials as a direct inspiration for the Universal and European Human Rights Charter, Antifascism as the European confidence building block, mutual trust and good neighbourly relations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvlGydZDj6g&t=7092s
Video: 03 Third panel Vienna Conference 2020: Future to Europe: Is there any alternative to universal and pan-European Multilateralism?; revisiting and recalibrating the Euro-MED and cross-continental affairs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p2mzY2jyYw
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9872 (Research/Speech – Dr. Manfred Nowak: Legacy of antifascism for the common pan-European future)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9868 (Research – Antonio Occhiuto&Giorgio Cafiero: Turkey and the UAE’s Dangerous Collision Course)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9867 (Research – Michael D. Barbero – The Caesar Act: An opportunity for Lebanon to get its house in order)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9864 (Research – 2020 Parliamentary elections in North Macedonia: Will the Macedonians be on the right side of the history again?)
Link (BSH/MAKEDONSKI): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9860 (Analiza – Parlamentarni izbori u Sjevernoj Makedoniji 2020: Hoće li Makedonci ponovno biti na pravoj strani historije?/Парламентарни избори во Северна Македонија 2020: Дали Mакедонците ќе бидат повторно на вистинската страна од историјата?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9861 (Research – 2020 Libyan nightmare: Will Libya be divided to East and West Lilbya?)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9859 (Press release: Director of the Vienna Wiesenthal Institute received the IFIMES delegation)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9851 (Press release: Successfully organized international conference in Vienna: »75 years of Europe’s Collective Security and Human Rights System«)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9857 (Saopćenje za javnost: Direktor Instituta Simon Wiesenthal primio delegaciju IFIMES-a)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9852 (Saopćenje za javnost: U Beču uspješno organizirana međunarodna konferencija »75 godina zajedničke evropske sigurnosti i sistema ljudskih prava«)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9851 (Press release: Successfully organized international conference in Vienna: »75 years of Europe’s Collective Security and Human Rights System«)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9850 (Research – Will Marshall – Crude Oil, Conflict and COVID-19: The Political Economy of State Fragility in Iraq)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9849 (Research – Parliamentary elections in North Macedonia: Membership in NATO is a historic success)
Link (BSH/MAKED): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9845 (Analiza – Parlamentarni izboru u Sjevernoj Makedoniji 2020: Članstvo u NATO-u historijski uspjeh/Парламентарни избори во Северна Македонија 2020: Членството во НАТО како историски успех)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9848 (Research ● Michael D. Barbero: Hezbollah takes control of Lebanon’s judiciary in assault on rule of law)
Link (BSH): https://www.ifimes.org/ba/9866 (Analiza – Michael D. Barbero: Hezbollah preuzima nadzor nad libanonskim pravosuđem napadom na pravnu državu)
Link (ENG): https://www.ifimes.org/en/9847 (Research ● Donald Johnston: Of multilateralism and future to Europe Recalibration)
The coronavirus presents Germany’s most significant challenge in its postwar history; Chancellor Angela Merkel told viewers across the German nation. COVID triggered the most profound economic recession in nearly a century, threatening almost every fundamental aspect of our societies. The IMF estimates our global economy went down by 4.4% in 2020, the worst decline since the Great Depression. The only major economy to grow in 2020 was China of 2.3%.
The immediate outlook on the pandemic’s impact has made us think on how governments have dealt with prospects for economic growth. Most forecasts envision a 5 per cent contraction in global GDP, despite the outstanding efforts of governments to counter the economic spiral with fiscal and monetary policy support and even austerity.
During the COVID-19 crisis peak, EU leaders regularly met via e-conferences to discuss and assess the situation and coordinate action COVID economic reactions. The same happened in other states internally, namely Canada, who spearheaded federal strategic communication and policy building under the Trudeau government to reboot the economy. Something that will cost Canadians considerably down the line. Yet most if not all world leaders know that this situation is expected to leave lasting scars through lower investment, an erosion of human capital through lost work and schooling, and fragmentation of global trade and supply linkages. We are just about to enter a new world era.
It is instructive for us international relation practitioners to review and refine our diplomatic, economic strategies to guide us through these hardships. What diplomatic tools can we use to help our communities get through, and how to go about it?
A little refresher for those interested in economic diplomacy and its study has rapidly developed over the past decade that is very relevant today, especially. Yet, there is still no strict consensus among academics about its definition. Despite this lack of agreement, in this short article, I will try to outline the basics of economic diplomacy theory and some examples of its practice.
We could see economic diplomacy as a policy practice, institutional structure, behavioural aspects, and policy aims and results in dealing with the state and businesses’ financial and commercial interests. Indeed, different thinkers have given a variety of angles of practice and theories on economic diplomacy yet they all agree that: economic diplomacy can be defined as a set of methods and processes related to cross border economic activities such as exports, imports, investment, lending, aid and migration, all of which are pursued by state and non-state actors. It is divided into three main elements; economic diplomacy encompasses the use of political influence and relationships to promote trade and investment, monetary assets and relationships to increase economic security including multilateral negotiations to consolidate the right political climate and political-economic environment to facilitate the institution’s objectives.
To distinguish it from diplomacy in general, we would have to highlight the private sector’s involvement in decision-making processes precisely because market developments are closely monitored by private sector actors and not government agencies to stay informed about where and how to invest in their country of interest. Economic diplomacy became particularly important within our globalized economic interdependence context to set the tone of foreign policy. It is also essential for domestic markets while managing regional trade and competitive international investment agreements. To get the desired financial results, states would have to use their available resources agencies, networks, and yes – diplomatic tools, while practising economic diplomacy.
The subject touches many levels, and governments practice informal dealing on various issues such as trade agreements and investment agreements. Multilateral approaches are assisted with pre-established guidelines within a set framework of international organizations in different levels such as the World Trade Organization, the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development, etc. Strategic communication is imperative between the private and government sectors to agree on set positions, hardliners, in other words, taken between government actors and their stakeholders before negotiating with other countries or organizations in this framework.
Moreover, we must not forget the plurilateral or more commonly known as the regional approach. It offers a streamlined, expressway for exploring the market opportunity, The EU being the best example of this approach. From the plurilateral perspective, we can observe how economic diplomacy has many tools to remove trade barriers while its users aspire to liberalize economies. Liberalizing markets, of course, has proven itself easier done in the regional context.
Contemporary practices see economic diplomacy as mainly concerned with formal government activities to promote their economic interest. However, our readers are invited to see the idea in the broader sense, which goes much further than foreign ministers’ mandated responsibilities. Engagement in economic diplomacy concerns all government agencies that have economic responsibilities, it is not exclusive to the foreign ministries, although they might not acknowledge it themselves. That is, in other words, all ministers, and independent public agencies and institutions that are involved with economic issues are engaged in economic diplomacy.
Analyzing the current global cooperation structures shifts economic diplomacy to be deployed by states seeking to achieve the newly flexible international environment’s financial goals. These flexible approaches and the weakening adherence to strict multilateral rules have made bilateral policies more attractive to economic diplomacy. The same could also be said about plurilateral methods; geo-economic power shifts encourage governments to reassess their national and foreign policies to be compatible with regional power shifts. Modifications and changes spark new thinking, such as on commercial diplomats’ mandate working on trade and investment promotion. In emerging economies and small states, a larger role for the ministry in international economics becomes necessary for success because emerging forms are seen to have a much stronger influence on the domestic private sector. Therefore public institutions have a larger stake in economic diplomacy than the private sector alone.
Nonetheless, economic and cultural and historic reasons explain why trade partners in emerging economies expect state involvement from their foreign partners in investment and trade. This contrasts the separation of public and private sectors as seen in larger capitalist economies. Economic diplomatic practices reflect the larger private sector and allow these to have an essential role in diplomatic practices. In the same way, states must be flexible; they have to change how they go about diplomacy depending on the economy they are dealing with.
As mentioned above, due to its main concerns with governments’ actions and what they do to promote their economic interests, economic diplomacy involves government agencies as primary actors. It recognizes the involvement of non-governmental entities in shaping economic diplomacy strategies.
The case study of Latvia’s economic interests regarding economic diplomacy manifests in facilitating exports and promoting foreign investment, a good form of flexible economic diplomacy. Of course, most of the work concerning economic diplomacy is done through the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its diplomatic representation network across many countries, each with commercial representatives that would deal with economic diplomacy. However, other ministries such as the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Agriculture and the State Chancellery are also in touch with, say the embassies to define commercial targets.
Meanwhile, other government agencies such as the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia are involved, indirectly, in dealing with various issues more or less related to the realm of economic diplomacy. Relations between government agencies and non-governmental actors have been coordinated through several forms of cooperation, both formal and informal. Diplomacy, commerce, trade and international investment concepts are therefore hard to separate in cases of practical implications for Latvia, which leads to an assumption that businesses may have an easier way to access decision-making. Indeed, economic diplomacy favours the discussions as direct as a business owner and an ambassador.
Internationally, Latvia’s economic diplomacy policy is highly influenced by its business sector and its membership in the EU. Since the EU has an exclusive role for trade policy and significant part of the investment policy, the EU monopolizes much of the economic diplomacy arena; the EU institutions are also negotiating EU-level treaties and agreements on behalf of Latvia. However, Latvia is still free to negotiate bilateral agreements with third-party countries, although only in cases where the EU has not already started negotiations and with the formal approval of other member states, and engage in external economic activities to promote trade and investment. Over the last 25 years, the Latvian government established a fully functioning set of state organizations from the ground up, responsible for formulating and executing an economic policy which includes economic diplomacy.
These frameworks imply action on both domestic and external levels for Latvia to be competitive enough in the international environment. Main policy initiatives suggest that the government is pursuing an active partnership with non-government actors to facilitate a better environment for business. Other state institutions, indirectly would do their part by informing and supporting Latvian companies that wish to enter foreign markets and provide useful services to foreign investors and enterprises looking to invest in Latvia. That said, it is evident that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not only the only coordinator since other agencies’ activities help towards this end as well. Yet the foreign affairs organizations have become the spearhead of foreign economic management since they are best positioned to represent and promote Latvian businesses abroad and access foreign markets.
While there is no universally useful institutional framework of economic diplomacy applicable for every country, the coordination of economic diplomacy in Latvia has adapted to the changing environment and issues that are most pressing in a particular time frame, and that is so considering the current changes and tensions coming from contemporary EU challenges. This and other institutional frameworks’ success or failure can be observed only by an in-depth look at specific issues of economic diplomacy, not a general overview. To conclude, for those who are embarking in studying the challenges of a state’s economic diplomacy, they must dissect and uncover its layers due to its broad umbrella covering a series of stakeholders interconnected through formal and informal activities.
A bout the author:
Eugene Matos De Lara
The author is an scholar, teacher, pilot and a Canadian military officer. The former publisher of the academic journal Border Crossing, and a former member of the International Public Diplomacy Institute also worked in embassies, international political organizations, and private law firms. Matos De Lara, also worked with several indigenous leaders and community activists. LL.B, Political Science and Public Administration degree from the University of Ottawa, Community and Public Affairs from Concordia University and Masters in Diplomacy from the University of Malta. Currently in the Faculty of Civil Law, and International development at the University of Ottawa. Eugene is a regular contributor to the Institute of Middle Eastern and Balkan Studies, and at the Geneva Desk for Cooperation.
In the pictureAlia Bilgrami and the Mayor of Den Haag, Honorable Jan Van Zanen
On 20th January 2021 at 4:00 p.m. a meeting with the Mayor of Den Haag, Honorable Jan Van Zanen took place. The purpose of this auspicious ceremony was to handover a set of paintings that had been pledged to the city of Den Haag and to the Mayor as a gift by Pakistani-Canadian artist, Alia Bilgrami.
The work is a triptych, called Stormy Tulips. The painting is very special to the artist as it narrates the journey or cycle of life and is rendered in gouache in the miniature painting style, a reflection of her South Asian heritage. In the triptych, the two tulips are the protagonists, braving life together, one storm at a time and coming out stronger at the end. Even when one tulip survives the other, life must go on as reflected in the background of the last painting.
Alia Bilgrami’ Stormy Tulips.
Over the summer of 2020, Bilgrami got in touch with the Mayor’s office because she and her spouse had recently become residents of this beautiful city and they were keen to express their gratitude in some shape or form. The artist’s father inspired them with the idea of giving one of her paintings as a gift to their new city. Since Bilgrami is a professional artist who loves painting tulips, this seemed like a very good idea indeed and the rest as they say, is history!
Alia Bilgrami and Mayor van Zanen.
As explained to Mayor Van Zanen during the meeting, she never tires of using tulips as a symbol in various styles, and through a myriad of media. He took a keen interest in learning more about why she and her spouse moved to the Netherlands and said that he always loves to hear why expats choose to move here, admitting that like them, he too is new to Den Haag having only taken office for the past 6 months. After this they spent a little time discussing Bilgrami’s career as a visual artist and curator. She has a background in contemporary miniature painting that she often combines with analogue photography techniques.
The tulip has become a personal symbol in her art that stems from its fascinating history – being cultivated in Turkey and Persia and then finding it’s way to Europe several centuries later. It sometimes reminds the artist of her own multicultural life experience, and those of others like her. It was a symbol of love and used in poetry and paintings in the East but came to represent Capitalism in the West, being the first commodity that led to the creation of the stock exchange when “tulip mania” spread all over Europe.
Bilgrami is interested in this dichotomy, and as fate would have it, like the tulip, has recently found a home in the Netherlands where the tulip is everywhere and studying its rich history is more accessible. Bilgrami’s research is ongoing, working with the notion of displacement, her artwork often expresses a duality – the simultaneous feeling of belonging and of being scattered – that translocation can often bring.
The Mayor was happy to receive the triptych and Bilgrami felt very honored to have been given a private audience with him. The meeting, which only Mayor van Zanen, Alia Bilgrami and Mr. Kevin Verbaas attended due to Covid-19 restrictions, was a lovely and successful afternoon in which they both took a keen interest in her art practice.
The artist feels content that Stormy Tulips have found a home in the land of tulips and after the meeting was over said “I am honored and happy that the work has found its way to the Mayor’s office walls where I hope they contribute to the positive atmosphere and cheer him up on a daily basis!” Maybe one day the paintings will adorn the walls of a museum in the Netherlands, or at least that is what the artist aspires to.
For more information about the artist go to: www.abilgrami.com or follow her on Instagram: @aliabilgrami.art
Highly motivated and absolutely involved in the food culture market, Faz Ahmed is one of the champions in the competitive spice business in Europe. Owner of Akash and founder of spice business Curry by Air Spices, the 36 year old entrepreneur has been primarily influenced by the culture, tradition and food of Bangladesh and his passion about bringing these tastes around the world.
The Akash restaurant has been running for 42 years and most recently went global by delivering their well known and evidently in demand dishes to France and Italy from the UK.
Lord Mayor of Portsmouth – Councillor David Fuller, Leader of Portsmouth City Council – Gerald Vernon- Jackson Bangladesh State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Md. Mahbub Ali Faz Ahmed – Businessman Owner of Curry by air spices and The Akash Restaurant. Photography by Roger Forman.
Faz Ahmed, a proud alumni of the University of Portsmouth, started his business in his local home Portsmouth where he feels lucky to have been born and raised. However his extensive traveling into Bangladesh cities and remote regions developed his senses and knowledge of Bangladeshi flavours.
Ahmed can talk with enthusiastic sparkling eyes about curry and other spices for hours, often invited to UK’s Tv, he made Akash the place to be for diplomats, politicians and VIPs of the showbiz.
Faz Ahmed
“I have UK politicians as my clients for years previous and current ones. We have had Lords, Councillors, mayors and MPs as clients. I have a good relationship with the Embassy of Bangladesh in London who are supporting me in different ways. From my side I am helping them promote Bangladesh to the world. I did also have a Bangladesh Minister visit me around a year ago here’s the link to his visit.” Said Ahmed proudly.
Faz Ahmed, gave Diplomat Magazine his recipe for a Bangladeshi traditional style curry, an example of his commitment to sharing his beloved cultural dishes with the world.
For this piece Mr Ahmed will be sharing one of his favourite cherished traditional chicken curry dishes. The staff chicken curry is a well known treasured favourite. Spiced to perfection this slow cooked on the bone chicken will leave your taste buds tingling. The name is derived from the fact that It isn’t usually found on the menu but will usually be cooked for staff at the end of the day or behind the scenes in most Bengali or Indian restaurants. It is a joy for him to be able to share this well loved and treasured recipe with the world and even more so to complement it with the personal touch of his spices.
Faz Ahmed, Curry by Air Spices at Akash.
Ingredients
Staff Chicken Curry
Whole Chicken cut into pieces
4 teaspoon of oil
1½ teaspoons of Garlic ginger paste
Four peeled and cut onions
1½ teaspoon of salt-
½ pint of Water
¼ to ½ teaspoon of Garam masala
¾ teaspoonJazzy Jerra (cumin)
1 teaspoon Ha Ha Haldi (turmeric)
1 teaspoon delicious dhani (coriander)
3 teaspoon cosy curry (curry powder)
Chilli chilli add accordingly (optional)
Method
Start by adding the 4 tsp of oil into a pot and heating it up. Then add some garlic and ginger paste, 1½ teaspoons to be exact as well as four peeled onions and heat it all together on a low heat.
Next step is to add some salt, use less to begin with and add incrementally as you go depending on your preferred taste/palette. Add half a pint of water and leave to simmer on a low heat for 10 minutes. Once you see the onions have caramelised and everything has simmered together add more water, remember to add water as and when you feel the need to in order to avoid burning or drying out the food.
Now time to add the spices, once you see the onions have caramelised add ½ a spoon of Garam masala, ¾ of Jazzy Jerra, 1 tsp of delicious dhani and 3 spoon of cosy curry and 1 teaspoon Ha Ha Haldi (turmeric). Add chilli chilli spice depending on your spice preference. Finally add tomato to add some colour and extra flavour. Let this simmer on a low heat for another 10 minutes. Add chicken on the bone and some water if needed.
Let the chicken cook and stir as needed as well and add more water when necessary once chicken is cooked your curry is ready.
Excellency Fischer elaborated on the important historic moments that forged today’s relations between member states of the EU and pointed out the weaknesses and challenges that the European continent will have to face in order to not reach a dead end in terms of the so-valued integration process.
Dr. Fischer introduced the topic by asking whether we have learned from our previous mistakes. According to him, we did learn from history. However, he believes that “after one or two generations, lessons of history start to fade away and get lost again [and that] we must keep that in mind to avoid dead end”.
Going back to World War II (WW2), the well-known European diplomat reminded us how Germany’s defeat changed the global balance of power, especially with the US and the USSR emerging as the two superpowers. The year 1945 has also been a crucial in the history of Austria, which reborn and reconstructed as an independent state in April 1945.
The end of WW2 left Europe with many questions; how to restore Germany? How to rebuild Europe? How to establish and protect peace and avoid mistakes that have been done after WW1? After the traumatizing events that happened during the war, peace “had a very high value and was a great priority almost worldwide”. Heinz Fischer remarks that “economic and politic cooperation between France, Germany, Italy and other European countries was the best way to retain and reduce nationalistic egoism and link the economist in a way that war cannot be an option to solve problems anymore as it happened so many times before”. However, we should not forget that, at the same time, the tension between Stalin and the western world on the other side was growing.
The Ban Ki-moon Center Co-chair continued by talking about the Cold War and describing the first steps towards the European Union that we know today.
“The US officials urged (western) Germany to take full responsibility for the development in their country and for good cooperation with other democracies. The next importation step was the announcement of the so-called Marshall plan for Europe. [It] was originally designed for the whole Europe but got rejected by countries under soviet dominance. Austria government was in a difficult situation because the eastern part of the country was, in that time, in the soviet occupation zone and, nevertheless, Austria joined the Marshall plan under heavy critics from its Communist party and Soviet officials.
[The] first peak of Cold War was the blockade of Berlin in 1948 and the foundation of NATO in 1949, which consequently made European integration faster and stronger.”
Nonetheless, Europe was still divided between the East and the West. It was only when Stalin died in 1953, that the beginning of a new era with a more collective leadership started. Fischer believes that his death was an important element for successful negotiations about the Austrian state treaty in April because the new leaders in Moscow wanted to demonstrate that they were ready for substantial negotiations and for compromises.
Adding to that, two years later, the Treaty of Rome was signed in March 1957, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) between Western Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This accelerated further political integration.
By early 1960s, about 30% of the Old continent was gathered in the EEC – like-minded democracies, neighboring states of a growing politico-economic influence with good preconditions to strengthen and deepen such cooperation. The EEC was successful and attractive. Naturally, the decision-making of the Six was far easier than in today’s Union.
The step from the EEC to the EU was the basis for a better coordinated foreign policy, a precondition for the introduction of the euro currency and it strengthened the role of the European parliament. It was very attractive to join the EU as the union formulated strict conditions and admissions procedures for membership in the club.
In 1989, after the fall of the Berlin wall, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Norway, four democratic countries with good economic performance, applied for the EU. On January 1995, all of them, excepted Norway, became member of the EU. Then, in 2004, the number of member states jumped from 15 to 25 and soon after 27, etc. These years were the best moments in the European integration process but it was also a turning point, the number of diverging interests was enlarging and it was growing parallel to the number of members. As EU became more and more the voice of Europe, it also brought more and more difficulties in terms of decision making.
Eastern countries were united in their anti-Communist and anti-Russian feelings however in other fields of politics they were more and more not united with each other and the rest of Europe. But the question remained: what was the reason for that development?
Dr. Fischer observed that the national identity of new democracies from the 90s, those that were under soviet dominance, had been brutally suppressed during soviet supremacy and their so-called internationalism was not a genuine development, it had been enforced and, soon after the collapse of European communism and the dissolution of Russia pact, these countries showed that they were fed up with internationalism even European internationalism and nationalism saw a powerful renaissance. With this background, populistic nationalism in some countries, but not all the eastern European countries, became step by step stronger than European thinking and European solidarity.
While growing nationalism is one big obstacle, for the European cooperation and integration, the necessity of consensus in the constitution of the European union in many fields of European policy is another big problem. Consensus is, indeed, recommendable and necessary for very far-reaching decisions with long time consequences. However, too many necessities for consensus are poison for a coherent European policy, the more consensus is necessary, the bigger is the role of national interests and the bigger the role of national interests is the more we have a union with injured wings and the more it is difficult to compete with the other big powers in the world.
Since decades we can observe new developments dimensions and challenges of ecological environmental policy, the figures of climate change and global warming speak a very clear language on global level but also in Europe we have a lot to do in these fields. The Paris climate agreement set the goal of keeping global warming below 2 degrees but the question remains whether we will reach this goal and whether this will be enough to prevent further catastrophes such as biodiversity losses, glacier melting, intensified western conditions, etc. The EU is more and more trying to promote climate-friendly policies. It is indeed trying to reach progress and to mobilize the member countries on this field, they know that this must be a priority. Former President Fischer added that, in the last couple of years, China took more and more the lead in green and renewable energy whereas Trump administration withdraw from Paris agreement. However, the fact that Biden promised to re-enter Paris accord and put effort into fighting climate changes leads to careful optimism.
On the other hand, Excellency Fischer pointed out that the issue of forced migrations should not be forgotten. He added that this represent a huge global problem which the EU cannot solve alone and, even though nobody is expecting them to, they should be ready to contribute to a solution and to do their part. The number of refugees at the border of Europe between 2014 and 2015 increased rapidly to 1,3 million asylum seekers and this caused a lot of problems, troubles, hostilities and a wave of population and nationalism.
Observing the policies in some European countries and Austria is not an exception, the problem is not so much, some governments can solve the issue but the problem is whether they want to solve it.
In the meantime, the second wave has counted higher numbers than ever, we had time to place some coordination at EU level to fight jointly the virus. The Commission has made useful proposals in some areas such as cross-border commuting transport of goods, external borders purchase and distribution of vaccines. Also it tackled the international cooperation of comparable statistics and the strategic introduction of the next generation of EU recovery instrument amounting to 750 million euros which is linked to the next financial framework and the EU budget for the years 2021-2027. All being promising signs of a rapid reaction capacitation.
“The EU is facing challenging times. Cross-European cooperation has no alternative – it is today as fundamental as ever” – was the closing point of Heinz Fischer’s farsighted and comprehensive Geneva talk.
About the Author:
Audrey Beaulieu of the University of Ottawa (Globalization and International Development Department), specialised in public and private International law, international development and global politics.
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education is a unique institute. Situated in the modestly sized, charming medieval city of Delft, it has a reputation among water professionals, particularly in the global south, as being the place to study anything and everything about water.
IHE Delft’s mission is ‘working in partnership to strengthen capacity in the water sector to achieve global sustainable development’. To this end, water professionals and others with a desire to work in water and development, come to IHE Delft to gain their Master’s or Phd or to pursue a short or online course in a water related topic which will help them solve a particular challenge facing their country or region.
Every year, IHE Delft welcomes more than 200 master students from approximately 60 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and a few from Europe and another 500 for short courses. With an additional 100 students doing their PhD, this creates a vibrant, multidisciplinary, multicultural ‘mini United Nations’ opposite Delft train station!
The arrival of Covid presented many challenges for IHE Delft, not least to quickly convert face to face master programmes to online classes. All staff involved worked tirelessly to do this and the result was an almost seamless transition. The graduation ceremony, which normally takes place in the Oude Kerk in Delft and which many Ambassadors normally attend, had to be swiftly transferred to an online event, as did our six yearly Capacity Development Symposium, which managed to attract many more attendees than would have been able to make the journey to Delft. There are some benefits to online events but the buzz and chat is definitely missing.
And what about this year with Covid still rampant in Europe? Fortunately and amazingly, all but two of the expected 160 students from 53 countries due to start their MSc have arrived in Delft and have started their studies online. Laboratory work is conducted at the Institute with the necessary safeguards and the Rectorate is determined to allow small group face-to-face study in IHE Delft as soon as regulations permit.
The range of water topics on offer at IHE Delft is broad – there are currently 17 specializations which students can pursue. These cover the areas of ecology, water management and governance, environmental science and technology, sanitation, engineering, water diplomacy, hydroinformatics, food security, coastal engineering, flood risk management. A programme on sanitation in emergency situations is also just being launched, in collaboration with UNICEF.
IHE Delft is accredited to run three Erasmus Mundus programmes in the topics of groundwater, flood risk management and environmental technology and engineering, with other European universities. Given the attractiveness and high level of these programmes, the Institute is currently applying to be involved in three more.
IHE Delft Institute for Water Education
Research is an important aspect of IHE Delft’s activity and in addition to managing a large number of research projects, more than 100 PhD fellows are studying at the Institute. IHE Delft awards these in conjunction with other Dutch universities, including TU Delft, University of Amsterdam and Wageningen University. While the Institute works closely with these universities on a number of initiatives and many staff members work at both, IHE Delft is independent and in fact under the auspices of UNESCO.
The Dutch Government has financially supported more than one-third of IHE’s students with full fellowships, through their Orange Knowledge Programme. Since this will finish in 2022, before the end of the master programme, which continues until April 2023, Nuffic, the government funding body, will cover the taught part of the studies but IHE is urgently seeking co-funders for the remaining 15,000 Euro per student required for the research and thesis component.
If any embassies can introduce funding sources from their country to support one or more students, they are requested to contact IHE’s business development officer, Ms Cristina Anacabe:c.anacabe@un-ihe.org
In these challenging times where preventing the spread of infection is high on the agenda, helping young water professionals to improve the health and environmental situation in their country is even more urgent. The staff and students at IHE Delft are passionately trying to contribute to a more positive water future, everywhere in the world.
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Pictures by IHE Delft Institute for Water Education.
Azerbaijan is famous as a country with carpet culture for many thousand years. Azerbaijani carpets can be found in the exhibitions of the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Louvre in Paris and even in the Vatican. This alone testifies to the uniqueness of Azerbaijani carpet art.
For centuries, Azerbaijan remained as one of the trendsetters for carpets, thanks to the choice of wool, natural dyes, the skills of the weavers, the flavour and colouring of carpets.
The quality and artistic properties of Azerbaijani carpets were highly praised by foreigners. The historian and art critic, P.R.J.Ford noted that “the real birthplace of Caucasian carpets is Azerbaijan and the skills and ideas of Azerbaijani weavers are felt throughout the Caucasus”.
Carpet Pirebedil. Guba, Azerbaijan. Late 19th century. Warp, pile – wool, weft – cotton. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum collection.
In Azerbaijan, carpet has been a part of everyday life. They are woven and used in almost every Azerbaijani house. Due to this, throughout the centuries, variety of techniques of carpet weaving and dying, patterns and ornaments have emerged. Nowadays, carpet schools from Ganja-Gazakh, Guba-Shirvan, Tabriz and Karabakh regions exist.
Azerbaijan produces almost all types of carpets and rugs existing in the world: wool, silk, gold and silver threads, pile and pileless and etc. The distinguishing feature is the high density of nodes, which is why the “lifespan” of Azerbaijani carpet is from 300 to 500 years.
Carpet Gaymagli. Gazakh, Azerbaijan. Early 20th century. Warp, weft, pile – wool. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum collection
Azerbaijani carpet is a symbol of luxury, gentility and refined taste. You can get acquainted with Azerbaijani carpets in Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum (also shaped as a carpet), which hosts more than 15.000 Azerbaijani carpets.
UNESCO has appreciated the unique value of works of Azerbaijani carpet artists. In 2010, the traditional art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving was included on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Carpet Shamakhi. Shirvan, Azerbaijan. Late17th – early 18th century. Warp, weft – silk, pile – wool. Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum collection.
In recent months, the European Union has embarked on an important process to promote strong engagement and influential collaboration with the African Union in order to lay the foundations for a new comprehensive partnership between Europe and Africa and support economic growth, create innovative jobs, improve international security processes in the Mediterranean and reduce irregular migration.
Dialogue remains the central element of this approach and Malta plays a leading role, as explained by Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds, in a recent article published by the Times of Malta.
Azzopardi, recalling the words of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, explained that the European Union is working on a strategy to strengthen synergy with Africa, not for Africa, and this approach underpins Malta’s strategy, launched by the island’s institutions over the past few months. Malta’s strategy positions the strengths of trade, solidarity and partnership as the basis for Malta’s future relations with the African continent.
Africa is not asking for mere aid but for the creation of real wealth: i.e. trade, development and growth. This requires strengthening business-to-business contacts, sharing of knowledge and skills and investment in both directions, starting with the development of a well-defined network. Already in 2020, the Ministry of Trade Promotion led trade delegations to Ghana, Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire, as well as an initial exploratory visit to Rwanda and saw the first Maltese Diplomatic Mission to Ghana take place. In addition, Malta is working with Libya on several projects, earning the trust of both sides due to its neutrality and history, as reported in Minister Bartolo’s numerous press notes.
The Maltese Foreign Ministry has always reiterated and supported the idea of unity for the Libyan people through political dialogue, which can generate a positive impact on Libya, Malta and the entire region. “Malta will play its part in ensuring the success of the UN-led political process by listening to the demands of all Libyan parties so that it can reflect their visions in the European Union meetings,” Evarist Bartolo had said.
The urgent challenge facing the African continent is the health pandemic and the subsequent devastation to the continent’s economy. While Africa is facing medical and health challenges the impact on the African economy is registering huge losses. The World Bank predicts that the economies of Nigeria and South Africa, two of Africa’s largest economies, will shrink as a result of the health pandemic with major effects on jobs and livelihoods. Malta is preparing to play an even greater role in development and economic capacity building and international cooperation across Africa.
The island is aware of the enormous potential of the African continent and the Maltese government is further triggering the potential for cooperation through the establishment of diplomatic missions in East and West Africa and by consolidating ties with the African Union, which is playing an increasingly important role in the development of relations with Europe. Africa is set to take a leading role in its own future through the launch of the African Continental Trade Agreement (AfCTA).
The agreement was developed by African Union players through the removal of trade tariffs within Africa and on 90% of goods, allowing free access to raw materials, goods and services. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa estimates that this trade agreement will increase regional economic cooperation by 52% by 2022. Malta’s engagement with Africa has been timely and the commercial future in the Mediterranean will also be the result of the synergy and diplomacy that the Island has managed to trigger in the African continent.
About the author:
Domenico Letizia.
Domenico Letizia Journalist. Radio speaker of “RadioAtene”. Researcher, publicist and social media manager of the “Water Museum of Venice”, member of the UNESCO World Network of Water Museums. Public relations manager of the Mediterranean Academy of Culture, Technology and Trade of Malta. Expert in geopolitics, green, blue economy, digital and agri-food.
