Tashkent will host the Second International Law Forum

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Tashkent will host the Second International Law Forum

Preparations for the Second International Legal Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” which will take place on April 23-25, 2020 have started in Uzbekistan.

Annually held international forum is a major professional event in Central Asia in the area of law. It aims to provide a platform for leading international and national experts to discuss problems and current trends in the development of law.

The latest information regarding the upcoming event is updated on the official website www.tashkentlawspring.uz.

The theme of the Second International Legal Forum is “Vision of Law in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Law 4.0.”.

According to agenda, the forum will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, master-classes and other events. The cultural part will comprise sightseeing across historic cities of Uzbekistan and concert.

The II International Legal Forum will feature discussions on mediation, arbitration, advocacy, corporate governance, securities, intellectual property, public-private partnerships, combating corruption and compliance, antimonopoly issues, legal education and science, and other topics in the context of large-scale digitalization.

The First International Law Forum “Tashkent Law Spring” that took place on April 2019 brought together 1 100 participants, including 250 experts from more than 30 countries of the world. High level officials, diplomats, leading world experts in the area of law, international relations and economy along with representatives of world leading law firms attended the event.

Statement on the Covid-19 pandemic by the Titular Grand Duke of Tuscany

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Statement on the Covid-19 pandemic by the Titular Grand Duke of Tuscany

Dear all, 

In this moment of hard trial, both physical and moral, I wish to make all of you, the Tuscan People, as well as all other Italians, feel the sense of my caring and vigilant attention, as well as my intense solidarity. 

The health authorities do well to warn us against this dangerous and invisible enemy; measures that tend towards the so-called “social distancing” are necessary but, inevitably, they generate in each of us a sense of tiredness and frustration. 

For this reason, and also in order to live better this strong Lenten time, I invite you to “not lose sight of each other”; if this is physically impossible nowadays, we can still cheer up the day of some old Friend (or brother) of ours by calling him and making him feel our affectionate closeness.

This Lenten time, so strange and so different from any other time experienced so far, be for all of us a moment of deep reflection and awakening of our consciousness. Prayer then becomes fundamental to create a virtuous circle of good souls who are committed to soliciting and encouraging the healing of the sick, as well as to accelerate the transit to the Lord of those who have not made it.

Our thoughts go to the inhabitants of the whole world, since this devious and terrible enemy does not seem to spare any country at all For my part, I am close to you with much affection and participation in your anxieties, worries and fears, with the promise to return to you as soon as possible to your beautiful country. 

In the meantime, I wish you all the best for the approaching Holy Easter, first, and hopefully last, of this kind.

Sigismondo d’Asburgo-Lorena

http://granducato.org/home-eng.html

Carissimi,

In questo momento di dura prova, sia fisica sia morale, desidero far sentire a tutti Voi, Popolo Toscano, così come a tutti gli altri Italiani il senso della mia premurosa e vigile attenzione, così come della mia intensa solidarietà. 
Le Autorità sanitarie fanno bene a metterci in guardia contro questo pericoloso quanto invisibile nemico; le misure che tendono al cosiddetto “distanziamento sociale” sono necessarie ma, inevitabilmente, generano in ognuno di noi un senso di stanchezza e di frustrazione. 
Per questo, e anche per vivere meglio questo tempo forte di Quaresima, vi invito a “non perderci di vista l’un con l’altro”; se questo è fisicamente impossibile oggigiorno, possiamo comunque allietare la giornata di qualche nostro vecchio Amico (o Confratello), telefonandogli e così facendogli sentire la nostra affettuosa vicinanza. 
Questo tempo di Quaresima, così strano e così diverso da ogni altro finora sperimentato, sia per tutti noi un momento di profonda riflessione e di risveglio della nostra coscienza. La preghiera diventa allora fondamentale per creare un circolo virtuoso di anime buone che si impegnano per sollecitare e favorire la guarigione dei Malati, così come per accelerare il transito verso il Signore di coloro che non ce l’hanno fatta.
Il nostro pensiero vada agli abitanti del mondo intero, dato che questo subdolo e terribile nemico non sembra risparmiare assolutamente alcun paese Da parte mia, vi sono vicino con tanto affetto e con molta partecipazione alle vostre angosce, preoccupazioni e paure, con la promessa di tornare da Voi quanto prima nel vostro bellissimo Paese.
Nel frattempo vi faccio i miei migliori auguri per l’approssimante Santa Pasqua, prima, e spero caldamente ultima, di questo genere. 

Sigismondo d’Asburgo-Lorena

http://granducato.org/home-ita.html

Image of His Imperial and Royal Highness The Grand Duke of Tuscany, Sigismondo d’Asburgo-Lorena – Private Secretariat 

Undersecretary for Policy of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Visits the OPCW

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Undersecretary for Policy of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Visits the OPCW

The Ambassador of The Philippines, H.E. Mr. Jaime Victor Ledda, H.E. Fernando Arias, OPCW director General and Mr Enrique A. Manalo, Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs for Policy.

The Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs for Policy, Mr Enrique A. Manalo, met today with the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.

Mr Manalo and the Director-General discussed a range of issues related to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as international cooperation.

Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs for Policy, Mr Enrique A. Manalo at OPCW.

The Undersecretary expressed the Philippines’ support for the OPCW and their motivation regarding their upcoming membership of the OPCW’s Executive Council. He also thanked the OPCW for its capacity-building programmes, in which a number of Filipinos took part, allowing the country to proactively build capacity for responding to potential chemical weapons incidents.

COVID-19 Pandemic To Change Global Politics, International Relations As We Know Them

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COVID-19 Pandemic To Change Global Politics, International Relations As We Know Them

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik – 26th March, 2020) The pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 has changed the political landscape in addition to shattering the economies so the global politics and international relations as we know them will cease to exist after the outbreak, experts told Sputnik.

To date, the deadly virus, first detected in China‘s Wuhan in late December, has infected over 458,000 people practically in every country of the world, killing almost 20,000 people globally, according to Johns Hopkins University’s statistics. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified the outbreak as a pandemic.

“International relations after Covid-19 will most likely never be the same. The same principles that have governed international relations so far seem to become out of date day after day. The balance of power is changing,” Tiberio Graziani, chairman of Vision & Global Trends, International Institute for Global Analyses, told Sputnik.

According to the expert, the change could become irreversible unless organizations such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund and WHO, as well as NATO adopt “adequate strategies.”

New international relations and new ruling classes could appear as a result of the pandemic, Graziani said.

“From this point of view, the best-equipped nations will, likely, be those which will affirm the values of solidarity, of the community as the foundation of political sovereignty,” Graziani said.

The globalization of the economy has been called into question, according to Wyn Grant, professor of international politics at Warwick University.

“Clearly the pandemic draws attention to the risks that arise from the supply chains associated with globalisation. This may lead to more nationally centred economic policies. Leaving aside the response of the central banks, international solidarity and coordination has been relatively limited,” Grant told Sputnik.

China’s response to the pandemic has improved Beijing‘s standing on the global arena, Alan Cafruny, Henry Platt Bristol Professor of International Affairs at the Hamilton College, told Sputnik.

“The crisis has greatly enhanced China‘s claims to global leadership. Notwithstanding its initial slow response to the Covid-19 outbreak, the rapid containment contrasts with the [US President Donald] Trump administration’s incompetence, confusion, and inability to provide people with even basic medical items such as surgical masks, respirators, and testing kits, or to develop a coordinated plan for containment,” Cafruny said.

According to the expert, there is a stark difference in the approaches of Beijing and Washington to the epidemic on the international level as well.

The Chinese government has been providing assistance and medical supplies to the affected nations, including Italy and Iran, while Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma has been sending surgical masks, test kits and medical equipment to each region of the world amid global shortages. The United States, on the other hand, has halved its contribution to WHO and suspended flights from Europe without prior consolations with EU leaders.

The crisis has deepened the rift between Washington and Beijing, according to Cafruny. The two countries cooperated extensively in the face of other major challenges of the 21st century, such as the 2003 SARS outbreak, 2008 global financial crisis and the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, but that was not the case this time.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has deepened geopolitical rivalry even as it has exposed the absence of U.S. leadership. Symbolically this has taken the form of a war of words. Government officials and prominent politicians on each side have levelled accusations of biological warfare and journalists have been expelled. Practically, it has taken the form of an absence of cooperation and communication,” Cafruny said.

Professor Grant, of Warwick University, voiced similar observations.

“The response of the US administration in blaming China for the outbreak has further worsened relations,” he said.

The COVID-19 crisis has raised doubts about decades-old institutions such as the European Union as its member states hesitated to provide much-needed support to badly affected Italy, which has registered a total of 74,386 cases so far, including over 7,000 deaths.

“Further questions have arisen about the effectiveness of the EU in a crisis with Italy considering it has been given insufficient support. The crisis has highlighted the fragility of solidarity within the EU,” the Warwick University scholar said.

His views were echoed by Graziani, who noted that China, Russia and Cuba were the only nations that took concrete steps to assist Italy in the crisis.

“At the moment, Europeans seem to regress into national and even regional selfishness … The pandemic has demonstrated the inadequacy of the supranational structures based on the liberal democratic model and on the so-called western values. New institutions will have to be built, based on solidarity relationships,” the expert said.

Professor Cafruny, in turn, pointed out that inability of EU member states’ health care systems to adequately respond to the emergency stemmed from “years of steep cutbacks resulting from the imposition of German-led austerity” the bloc’s response to the 2009 Eurozone debt crisis.

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/world/analysis-covid-19-pandemic-to-change-global-874507.html

Corona virus facing it at embassies – a legal approach

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Corona virus facing it at embassies – a legal approach

As the coronavirus crisis continues, Embassies, as employers, are facing many questions. Russell Advocaten provides your Embassy with answers to the most important legal questions that may arise regarding your Embassy’s personnel. Does the Q&A below not answer all the questions of your Embassy? Or does your Embassy have to face legal issues as a result of the coronavirus? Please contact the Embassy Desk of Russell Advocaten at + 31 20 301 5555 or embassydesk@russell.nl

By: Priscilla C.X. de Leede, LL.M. & Jan Dop, LL.M. employment lawyers at Russell Advocaten. 

Embassy employees want to work from home. Do I have to allow that?

Yes, if the work so permits, you have to allow it. The government’s advice is to work from home where possible. However, if the employee does not have a cold or there is no situation as referred to by the RIVM and it is impossible to work from home, the employee in principle must go to work. If the employee refuses this, for instance out of fear of being infected where there is no concrete reason, you can consider that as refusal to perform work.

What do I have to keep in mind if I have my personnel work from home?

As an employer you have a duty of care to ensure your employee’s safety and health. This includes ensuring a good workplace for employees, also if your Embassy’s employees work from home because of the coronavirus. For instance, they must be provided with a well-adjusted chair, table and monitor. Make sure to always point out the health and safety risks to your employees and evaluate what they have to keep in mind. The latter is particularly important now that many employees are working from home for the first time and have not yet set up an appropriate place for it. In addition, you as an employer, can also ensure that good arrangements are made regarding communication, planning and productivity.

What do I have to keep in mind when working from home regarding the processing of personal data of costumers and colleagues?

The protection of one’s own personal data, as well as those of colleagues and customers must be carefully ensured. Especially now that a lot of work is carried out at home, you, as an employer, must be aware of the privacy risks involved. First of all, inform employees of your Embassy of the privacy policy and how to act in the event of certain situations (e.g. a data leak). In addition, ensure that a secure connection can also be used when working from home, by means of two-factor authentication and a VPN connection. Finally, make good arrangements with your employee about the use of the work lap top and/or their own equipment. This is the only way that personal data can be protected as good as possible when working from home.

Holidays cancelled: do employees get their leave reimbursed?

Holiday plans are cancelled at an increasing rate due to negative travel advice, closed accommodations or other measures related to the coronavirus. What do you, as employer, have to do with a request about reimbursement of scheduled leave? Although the risk that holidays are cancelled is for the employee, it is in principle reasonable that they wish to take their holiday at another time. If you do not have any substantial business interests, you will thus have to accept a withdrawal of an application for leave. There may be substantial business interests, if you have already made the work schedules for the other employees or if you have arranged for replacements.

May I deny employees access to their office at the Embassy?

As an employer, you are responsible for providing a safe and healthy work environment. Therefore, it is in principle allowed to deny employees access to the office if they pose a risk to the safety and health of other employees at the Embassy. So the employee which you suspect or know for sure to be infected with the coronavirus must stay home and you can deny him or her access to the office.

Are my employees from outside the European Union allowed to travel to the Netherlands?

In principle, that is not permitted. Europe’s external borders have been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. This closure does not apply to holders of a Dutch residence permit or a long-stay visa (MVV). As it concerns only a closure of the external borders, individuals with the nationality of an EU Member State, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein or the UK and diplomats are allowed to enter the Netherlands for the time being. Incidentally, the Dutch government urgently advises to only travel if it is absolutely necessary and you have to take into account limited availability of flights and (international) public transport.

The Human Family in the era of Covid-19

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The Human Family in the era of Covid-19

By Marco Pizzorno.

Who can live?

The turnout to the intensive care units is such as to bring structures, doctors and health workers to their knees. Authoritative newspapers cite that the lack of breathing instruments and beds it seems to be the reason for a terrible need, which has dictated a guideline, as a decision-making tool on who can be treated and who cannot. The first thought is addressed to the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which in the spirit of brotherhood and international cooperation calls the peoples of all nations to help each other in the name of the Human Family “and the text quotes:

Considering that the recognition of the dignity inherent in all members of the human family and of their equal and inalienable rights is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world

Considering that the Member States have undertaken to pursue, in cooperation with the United Nations, universal respect and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms

It is recognized that:

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and must act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (Art 1) 

Each individual has “all the rights and freedoms set out in the Declaration, without distinction whatsoever, for reasons of race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, of national or social origin. , wealth, birth or other condition. Furthermore, no distinction will be established on the basis of the political, legal or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs … (Art 2)

Everyone has the right to life, freedom and security of his person. (Art 3)

Art.25 and the right to medical treatment for all.

Everyone has the right to a standard of living sufficient to ensure the health and well-being of himself and his family …. and “to medical treatment …”

It is the right of every person to be treated without discrimination, also for reasons of age or life expectancy related to their conditions. By virtue of this, it is the concept of international cooperation that must be solicited for the protection and safeguarding of “All” human life, so that the “inertia” and its interpretations do not become the first culprit and responsible for a huge crime against humanity.

30th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania

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30th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Independent State of Lithuania

The Hague, 11 March 2020. The Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania H.E. Mr. Vidmanta Purlys organized a concert followed by a reception to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the restoration of independence of Lithuania. Here are Ambassador Purlys remarks.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

I would like to welcome you to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the independence of Lithuania.

On 11 March 1990, democratically elected Parliament of Lithuania, expressing the will of the nation, proclaimed that “the execution of the sovereign powers of the State of Lithuania abolished by foreign forces in 1940, is re-established, and henceforth Lithuania is again an independent state.” This was one of the most important events in the history of Lithuania of the XXth century, political act ending 50 years of Soviet occupation, which was never internationally recognized. 11 March may have also been an important encouragement for other nations in that part of Europe, which were striving for their freedom too.

Since 1990, Lithuania rapidly consolidated its statehood and position in international affairs, also taking inspiration from the state tradition going back centuries in history. We have developed democratic, modern, inclusive and resilient society, based on the rule of law and strong democratic institutions. Lithuania built strong and open economy, which shares its advanced solutions globally in such areas as laser technology, life sciences, energy, digital and cyber domains, and others.

Lithuania has also developed an extensive network of bilateral and multilateral relations, and worked consistently to uphold international rule of law, security and stability, human rights, individual freedoms, and gender equality.

H.E. Mr. Vidmanta Purlys, Ambassador of Lithuania.

In this context, I would like to mention that Lithuania developed excellent relationship with the Netherlands across many areas and on many levels. Our co-operation in the international affairs is close, based on shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

We work intensely for security of NATO. Dutch soldiers contribute to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence in Lithuania. This is highly appreciated by the Lithuanian society. We are also great partners in the European Union. Our bilateral relations are very vibrant, all important data pointing to a growing direction, including on trade, investment and tourism.

I take this opportunity to thank all our Dutch, international and Lithuanian friends who contributed to strengthening our bilateral ties. 

Mezzo-soprano Rita Novikaitė and pianist Šviesė Čepliauskaitė.

In conclusion, Lithuanian society is proud of what it has achieved in the last 30 years, and looks confident towards the future. We believe in our freedom. Let me now turn to introducing two famous performers of this special evening.

Rita Novikaitė

Mezzo-soprano Rita Novikaitė was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. She studied in Lithuania, Austria and Italy. Rita Novikaitė sang many roles in operas and performed frequently in various festivals in Lithuania, across Europe and beyond. Rita Novikaitė is a renowned teacher who worked in Austria and now holds position of associate professor at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas.

Šviesė Čepliauskaitė

Pianist Šviesė Čepliauskaitė studied in Lithuania and Poland. Šviesė Čepliauskaitė is an active performer with Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra and Kaunas Symphony Orchestra. The largest part of her repertoire is music from romantic period, with Chopin being one of her favourite composers. Therefore, pianist has a number of prestigious awards for performing his works, including the Golden Cross of Merit by the President of Poland in 2019.

Šviesė Čepliauskaitė is currently an associate professor at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania.

At would like to make one more important announcement with regard to the concert. There will be a special entry in the programme – world premiere of piece by one of the most famous Lithuanian composer Zita Bružaitė entitled “BeMoon”. That is an amazing gift to the celebration in The Hague.

Celebrating Guyana’s 50th Republic Golden Jubilee Anniversary

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Celebrating Guyana’s 50th Republic Golden Jubilee Anniversary

From left H.E. Dr. Patrick I Gomes, and H.E. Ambassador David Thomas Allan Hales.

By Roy Lie Atjam.

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Ambassador of the Republic of Guyana to the Kingdom of Belgium and Mission to the European Union,

H.E. Ambassador David Thomas Allan Hales hosted a reception. The celebration was held on Friday, 21 February 2020 at the Embassy of Guyana in Brussels. 

The national anthem “Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains”, was played, signaling the commencement of the festivities. Scores of Guyanese nationals residing in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg came by to join in the celebration of their country’s 50th Republic Anniversary.

One Guyanese national even came all the way from Dubai in order to take part in the celebrations. H.E. Dr. Patrick I Gomes, African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Secretary- General – ACP (Dec. 2014 – Feb. 2020) graced the reception by his presence and was presented a token in gratitude for services rendered to Guyana.

The theme of the Guyana Republic Jubilee celebration in Brussels was ‘Guyana Together. Time to Reflect, Celebrate and Transform’. This theme could not be more appropriate given the juncture in history at which Guyana finds itself at the moment. 

The guests thoroughly enjoyed genuine Guyanese hospitality, savoured delicious Guyanese cuisine and beverages, including the world-famous El Dorado and XM Rums, mauby, ginger beer, sorrel and a festive ambience.

In Guyana, Republic Day celebration is referred to as Mashramani.

It is an Amerindian word which means celebration after hard work. It is a day where families and friends spend time together watching the different revellers and bands in their vibrant colours.

In his presentation, H.E. Ambassador David T.A. Hales expressed gratitude for the turnout.

It provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved as well as the challenges our country and people have endured and overcome over the past 50 years.’

‘More importantly, however, it brings us together at a time of renewed hope and anticipation for a bright, peaceful and prosperous future for Guyana and its people over the next 50 years and beyond,’ the Envoy noted.

 Ambassador Hales reminded that the theme for this 50th Anniversary is ‘Guyana Together’ which he explained reflects the common aspiration grounded in our motto ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

Drawing attention to Guyana’s Oil and Gas sector, Ambassador Hales noted that the country is on the threshold of major economic transformation that could result in it becoming the fastest growing economy in the western hemisphere and the envy of the world.

With this newfound wealth, there has never been a better opportunity to build one of the world’s most prosperous societies – one where every citizen can join in Guyana’s unprecedented good fortune – where every community can partake in our extraordinary rise – and where each and every Guyanese, including the cherished diaspora, can sustain the country’s development by making skills, accomplishments and experience available to our dear land.

The event was marked by the playing of traditional folk songs, dancing to recent soca music.  

The Brussels Mission, inter alia, fosters Guyana’s economic and social development through garnering multilateral and bilateral technical assistance, while promoting the country as an investment, trade and tourism destination. The Mission also looks at securing export opportunities for traditional and non-traditional products, and pursuing support from the ACP Group of States on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy.

Saxony welcomed Ambassador Wu Ken

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Saxony welcomed Ambassador Wu Ken

Premier Michael Kretschmer, Ambassador Wu Ken, Sebastian Gemkow, State Minister for Science, Culture and Tourism – Picture by Sächsische Staatskanzlei

Tuesday, 25 February 2020, Dresden, Free State of Saxony: Premier Michael Kretschmer received the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Wu Ken, for his maiden visit to the state. The State Minister for Science, Culture and Tourism, Sebastian Gemkow, likewise attended the meeting.

During the conversation, Premier Kretschmer and Ambassador Ken exchanged views on the economic and political relations between the two countries.

With an export volume of 6.71 billion Euros in 2018, China is the Free State’s most important foreign trade partner. Compared to the previous year 2017, there is a 12 percent increase in deliveries to China.

For further information: 
Government of Saxony: https://www.ministerpraesident.sachsen.de/empfang-des-botschafters-der-volksrepublik-china-11173.html

Embassy of the PRC to Germany (HE Ambassador Wu Ken): http://www.china-botschaft.de/det/dszl/dsjl/

Geopolitics of Survival or Geopolitical Aspects of The Evolution of Covid-19

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Geopolitics of Survival or Geopolitical Aspects of The Evolution of Covid-19

By Teodor Palade.

It’s just a virus. It is regarded by many as a weapon. If we look closer it’s not far from the truth. An library could be easily filled with the last two-months writings on this strange virus. If we were leaving aside preconceptions and would not be afraid of the inept allegation that we are promoting the conspiration theory then we would more than likely reach the conclusion that similar to a weapon of mass destruction , the saga of COVID-19 has an undeniable geopolitical overtone. 

The Political Component

The great powers’ politics is often captivating. China’s  domestic and foreign policy intimidating succes, the accomplishments of the demographic collossus called Peoples’ Republic of China culturally, politically and militarilly could not but cause envy. Even adversity. The fierce political confrontation between the two systems which marked for a long time the world’s evolution and the economic and military rivalry has foreshadowed a genuine war between the US and China. A war which, like any war, causes losses, fatalities, brings forward fighting tactics and strategies, allows for experimenting new weapons and has no mercy. Well, after all, everything is politics. The war included.

Ever since the outbreak of epidemics American sources suggested that China was guilty of COVID-19 explosion and its global spread. China, with its bat-eating people, with its Wuhan lab, with the filthy market where slaughtered animals were sold, and the carelessness of the Wuhan epidemiologycal  specialists who would have manipulated the viruses.

Politically it was the right moment when, on the background of the ongoing disputes with the US and with many EU states, China could have become the ideal culprit. The moment was not missed. The world’s media was plenty of charges, assumptions, facts, make-believe and analysis whereby China is the main villain.

China’s counter-attack didn’t take long. Recently, the spokeman of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed to the American military who took part in the last year’s Wuhan Military Olympics  as being the ones who brought the virus to China. Mr Zhao Lijan made an argument of the remarks of some American media which stated that part of the last year’s dead due to seasonal flu where in fact sick with COVID-19  and declared: ”It is possible that the American Army brought the epidemics to Wuhan. The United States should show transparency. It should make public the data! The United States owes us an explanation!” It is highly unlikely that the Chinese official has made the statement on his own as it is improbable as well that other charges are not ready and waiting in line for the right time to come to throw it on the market. Then, it could not be by chance that China’s charges are launched when American military are landing in the European ports of coutries ravaged by coronavirus. 

The American military are brought directly from the other shore of the Ocean to take part in the biggest European military drills with American participation during the last 25 years. 

This military exercice suggestively code-named DEFENDER EUROPE 2020, is planned to be conducted overwhelmingly near the Russian Federation’s European borders, a China’s dependable economic and military ally.

COVID-19 was already politically weaponised in the US and is used to the fullest by the two great political forces competing for winning the coming presidential elections. The Republicans are attacking the Democrat and presidential contender, Joseph Robinette BidenJr, sustaining that the latter’s son Hunter is refusing to come back to America from Ukraine (where he quietly oversees his business) to take a paternity test on the ground that he does not want to be infected with the new coronavirus. Going beyond the attack to family, Bill de Blasio, the Mayor of New York City and contender to presidency from the same party as Donald Trump’s, attacks vehemently the US Administration saying that the new coronavirus represents a serious argument for the government, in case it was a responsible one, to nationalise the main factories and industries directly involved in the fight with COVID-19. ”It is a war situation!”, he says. ”Where are the mechanical ventilators? Where is the government’s intervention to secure our hospitals the needed ventilators? Where is the government’s intervention for securing the protective masks? We are in a situation which calls for the nationalisation of the main factories and industries involved – literally a nationalisation!”

In the US too the emergence of the virus changed the discourse of the three main candidates contesting for the presidency. In a way, COVID-19 has modified the agenda of the potential future presidents. The sanitary issue, the citizen’s medical security, the steps to be taken for diminishing the economic, financial and psychological effects of the new coronavirus, became the main subjects of the political struggle. ”This virus revealed the serious defficiencies of the present Administration”, Joe Biden declared. Another candidate, Bernie Sanders warned that if urgent measures are not taken ”the number of deaths caused by coronavirus could be bigger than the number of the American military killed during WWII (…) We have such an incompetent administration so that its incompetence and carelessness threaten the lifes of many, many people of this coutry”

In the majority of the states affected by coronavirus, the politicians changed their agenda. Parties whose adversity was not shaken since decades shook hands. Political decisions which dragged on for years were adopted overnight and what seemed insurmountable some weeks before has been achieved. Suffice it to look to what happended in Romania (a government rejected twice in a row was unanimously confirmed and ministers rejected by the parliament several times became apt overnight) and no other argument is needed to prove how real is the political component of this strange virus. 

At the same time, the adoption of certain measures of force, restraining the constitutional rights of the citizen, abuses taking place here and there brought in an increased lack of trust in the political class. Globally, the effect is enhanced, something totally disastruous.

The medical aspect of our life is political too.We depend totally on the policy in the sanitary field. From this standpoint, the COVID-19 epidemics revealed unspeakable shortcomings as far as the citizen’s medical safety is concerned, especially in Western Europe. West-European states considered to be the flag-bearing ones in the field of sanitary assistance were unable to manage the spread of the infection nationally and made unacceptable blunders when tried to confront the challenge. Worldwide, Italy toppled China as number of death and is showing no signs of being able to manage the situation. The Italian physicians are overburdened, close to breaking down nervously and psychically and then the situation might become dramatical. The fact that in what concerns the total number of infected people worldwide, out of a total of 155 countries affected by the virus, Spain is on the fourth place, Germany is on the fifths and France on the seventh. 

The Geographical Component 

Geopolitics summs up the two facets of reality: politics and geography. 

The geographical evolution of the new coronavirus seems to be natural and surprising at the same time.

It is natural as it emerged in a specific period for the viral diseases of the winter-spring season, falling within the pattern of the flues that mankind is confronting since generations. 

It is surprising because by ignoring the laws of probability, it emerged in the most favourable place for a rapid spread (a country gathering around 20% of the world’s population, in a crowded city inhabiting more than 12 mil people) which became extremely difficult to control and at the most suitable time (during the Chinese New Year’s period when population movements from a place to another, nationally and internationally, too, peaked; the mass of people engaged in this back-and-forth process is estimated at around 3 bil). [1]

It is also surprising in the virus geographical evolution that, with some exceptions, there were the adversary states or, without being hostile, the ones which do not completely accept the US policy (China, 81,000 affections; Iran,14,000 affections; France, 5,400 affections; Germany, 5,800 affections) as well as the places representing, in most cases, the craddle of human civilisation (China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Spain). [2] 

It seems also strange that the ground zero of the virus action moved all of a sudden some thousands of  kilometers away to the west, to Western Europe,  while states with great land masses, some of them in China’s proximity, such as the Russian Federation, India or Kazakhstan, the presence of  COVID-19 is timid, almost inexistent.

A serious impact was resented in the field of peoples’ transhumance, a very dynamic aspect during the last years. The emergency of the new coronavirus brought about a unprecedented reflux in what concerns the labour migration, especially in Europe. In Romania only, around one million persons who were working in Italy, Germany, Spain or Great Britain returned home during three weeks only. The return home of such a mass of people, many of them presumed of carrying the virus created a multitude of problems, including  in the sanitary field and which are difficult to solve by the authorities of the indigenuous states and imposed expenditures that will be very hard to recover during the next period.

The epidemic which disrupted Europe showed to everybody, once more,  that the European Union proves unable to manage crisis situations. The Union’s bodies, the Commissions and Committies in their entirety, circumvented the important decisions and left the member states to cope with the situation as anyone was able to. 

As if the European Union did not exist as a superstate entity. No serious research was genuinely conducted and, therefore, no ways of coordinating the medical, economic, financial or psychological efforts were found at the Union’s level. Moreover, the migration of labour as a result of the epidemics spread, with its adjacent devastating effects on the European level which were left to chance. Voices in the European mass-media are already labelling the European Union as a paralysed body with a huge bureaucracy blocked in the past, with an impermissible inertia for the century we are living in. A construct whose end is looming. After Brexit, COVID-19 epidemics raises another red flag on the foundation of the European political and economic bloc.

The relocation of the new coronavirus ground zero to Europe had as an immediate result the taking off the pressure from the migration wave from the war areas in the Middle East. 

The acute frictions between Turkey and the European Union calmed down and the explosive tensions from the Turkish-Greek border softened for the time being. 

Terrorist type organisations or the organisations pursuing immediate financial gains benefitted from the extraordinary online interest for the COVID-19 issue had crossed the strict geographical borders and activated their hackers who launched phishing-type cyberattacks and infested the servers of the big companies, banks or main state institutions. An impressive number of persons and institutions fell prey to hackers before the cyber security specialists reacted. The amount of damage is not known, yet the first estimates point to billions of dollars.

A less analyzed aspect with an extraordinary impact on the global human community is the psychological effect of the emergence and geografical spread of COVID-19. The trust in governments and in the state’s attachment to the citizen were shaken. Separately or organized in small and big communities set up empirically most of the times, people have been isolated, considered guilty towards their fellow humans, ostracised through brutal methods some times, panicked. Family did not represent anylonger a safe haven, friends are not trusted anymore as they might become harmful for one’s self health. 

The sports and cultural communities and, for the first time since WWII, the religious ones restricted their activities or simply abolished them. Panic seems to become the only driving force of the individual’s action.

Assumptions and opinions

Just like the emergence, behaviour and the geopolitical implications of COVID-19 were impossible to foreshadow, it is just as difficult to assume the issuance of assumptions concerning the future evolution of the situation from a geopolitical standpoint.

It is indeed much too early to draw resolute conclusions. Yet having at hand the so far information, the countless analysis, the conclusions and the forecasts of the specialists in the field and looking attentively to the general picture and its dynamics it is worth risking to make some assumptions and to issue some opinions.

No doubt a devastating economic shock will shake the planet.

After the epidemic wave goes, the return to the normal condition will be hard and will last much longer than it is estimated at present. 

The states hurt by the destabilisation brought by the desperate and necessary measures to limit the epidemics manifestation, states which seem to have been hand-picked,  will reach their limits in what concerns the financial and economic survival.

The politicians, formally united now in front of the danger they amplified themselves (to prove the voting citizen how capable they are at controlling it), will attack each other savagely. Governments will change overnight and huge debts will accumulate everywhere as a result of the populist measures taken to keep them in power. 

The most affected countries will indebt themselves beyond the limits imposed so far for keeping a stability status. 

The rich and poor divide will widen and, although the real profiteers as a result of the mess generated by fighting COVID-19 are not known for the time being, yet those who will get poorer are already known.

The model and the lessons of using such a weapon (if this virus was a weapon) will be known and they will be in the future at the heart of similar actions imposed by situations of domestic crisis, by deadlocked interstate relations or situations foreshadowed to be to the benefit of one or another of the world’s great powers.  

The emergence, mutation, effects and the dangers attributed to COVID-19 represented an excellent exercise in what concerns the targeted use of the media power. Guidelines for the ways media could be used in the future are already in place for maintaining a panick state, for isolating the persons considered dangerous, for manipulating the society to the benefit of those who are politically, economically or financially interested. 

China, for instance, used cleverly almost to the limit the situation created by COVID-19 and succeeded in annihilating the dangerously growing domestic protests against the government and silenced the Hong Kong stubborn protesters. Moreover, it acquired quite for free thousands of western investments that were dumped locally by the managers and shareholders out of fear. Beijing proves under these circumstances too that it is a main global player by offering material support to Italy and to other countries requesting it and uses very skilfully the opportunity to enhance its position in Europe. 

The US has altered the citizen’s agenda in the discourse of the presidential candidates and the president  Donald Trump was nominated the Republicans’ candidate for the coming elections.

The Russian Federation proved it is not disturbed by such a scenario and, moreover, seems to be until now one of the winners of the situation especially having in mind the situation in Europe.

The Western European states proved weak and derailed, overwhelmed by the situation and an easy pray to all kind of speculations. The European Union excelled in words and promises but proved to be practically unprepared and helpless. The EU could not protect seriously any of the member states and, moreover, left Italy, the main Union’s ”sick man”, without any support. Up to March 20, 2020, Brussels was unable to prove its capacity of leading the Union go through this crisis leaving each and one of the states to manage on their own. In doing so, the EU almost nullified its chances of being a first class geopolitical global player and I don’t think it will come back (if it ever comes back)  too soon.

The phychological effect on the globe’s population will affect for a long time the human communities, no matter the geographical area they are living in. The experience of forced isolation of man by man, removing by exceptional government measures  of trust among friends, relatives, children, parents, terrifying by fear and cultivating panick while calling for calm and rationale will  surely be case studies as well as starting points for other actions of the same type.

There are voices saying that in the shadow of fear and panick induced intentionally or not by this virus the future of mankind is foreshadowed. Although such an opinion can be exaggerated, a seed of truth seems to come out. 

If this COVID-19 was not a weapon, the future COVID will surely be.

It seems we are coming closer to what has been suggested on the eve of the financial and economic crises which rocked the world a decade ago. The emergence of a new geopolitics – geopolitics of survival. 

Does really the COVID-19 pandemic represent the signal, the necessary landmark for the need to search for  a new way to perceive, analyse and judge the world we are living in?

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[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51240355

[2] Data relate to16.03.2020. Source:”CONAVID-19 Global Case by the

Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University”

Intelligence officer, now retired, Teodor Paladewas born in Bucharest in 1943. He wes military attache in India, held important positions in the Ministry of National Defence and, after retirement, in the Government of Romania.His articles, covering a large area of interest, are published by many online and printed outlets in Romania and abroad. 

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