The absence of an immigration policy

One could again notice in the recent days that the EU has no common policy on immigration. The states still look at the issue as a national matter and not as a common challenge. The resources made available to FRONTEX, the agency charged with the EU border policing are clearly insufficient. Moreover, the leaders do not take a comprehensive approach and deal with the issue with one tool only - border control - when it is clear that other measures are necessary. Without a combination of approaches, combining policing with diplomacy, development assistance, strategic communications, and an integration policy, we will continue to see the misery boats crossing the Mediterranean in search of the next tragedy. 

New threats call for new responses

The US Navy Seals operations over the week end in Libya and Somalia, to capture well known terrorist leaders raise a number of questions, in terms of international law. But above all, they beg the question about how current and adjusted to today's world is the fight against international terrorism. This is a debate that has yet to take place: how to respond to multinational terrorist groups.

They represent a new threat to international peace and security. They cannot be fought with conventional means. And they cannot be convinced that they will be safe in weak states or in chaotic societies. They have to understand that global terrorism calls for a global response.

And that was certainly the key message the US has sent this week end across many parts of Africa and elsewhere. The US might have gone beyond the accepted norms. But we need to consider that the old ways of addressing new challenges need to be thought through. With a new approach to national sovereignty and the legitimate use of force. 

EU and India: a partnership that needs to be explored

The political and economic partnership between the EU and India deserves greater attention. The European leaders seem blind to the potential of such an alliance and how much it would weight on China.  China’s global interests would then be matched by a strong EU-India alliance.

I keep repeating that our leaders need to be much more strategic in the relations with India. The EU has a good representative in Delhi, that‘s not the problem.  The issue resides in the fact that our leaders are not investing enough in building a strong relationship with India. They are too concerned with trying to come to terms with China and its commercial and industrial expansion. They do not see the opportunities. 

Hollande's circuit breaker

President François Hollande of France should sack the Prime Minister and implement a Cabinet reshuffle to show that he is in control and not afraid of taking decisions. The Cabinet is more divided than ever. Its public contradictions have a damaging impact on the President’s image. In these cases, the Prime Minister should be like the fuse that blows when the current is excessive.  I am afraid however that Hollande might not have the necessary guts to act.   

Central Africa

The Central African Republic (CAR) is now a failed state.

The capital city, Bangui, is controlled by armed groups of uncertain origin. They are most likely dominated by warlords from Southern Darfur and Eastern Chad. They have little to do with CAR’s main ethnic groups but they are allied to Central Africans from the North-Eastern border areas. These are Muslims in a country that is largely Christian.

Besides the capital, there are other armed groups and several “self-defence” committees. But there is no central authority, no law and order, no administration and no modern economy. It is just chaos and extreme hardship.

The situation can easily spill over into some of neighbouring countries. They are also very fragile. They could become the next prey of the roaming armed men.  

The African Union has pledged to send a peacekeeping force to the country. It will be difficult for the AU to be able to mobilise the force and the resources required. It will also be a very delicate mission because of the religious divide that is now taking place, for the first time in the history of CAR.

The international community should understand that the country needs, urgently, not at the pace the AU can mobilise itself, a very robust international force, with full executive powers.

It is the survival of CAR’s population that is, first and foremost, at stake. But not only. It is an entire region. A region that is already the least stable of Africa. 

Global America

President Obama’s address, this afternoon, about the health coverage initiative and the shutdown of government services, will certainly have an important impact on American public opinion. The finger pointing at the Republicans was very effective. I think it is the right approach. The pressure on the Republican Party should convince its leaders that it is in their electoral interest to find a way out of the current crisis. The sooner they do it the better as the continued shutdown will end up by having a major impact on the economy both in the US and elsewhere. Today’s world is too interconnected for us, Europeans, to say this is a mere American issue. It is not. We will end up by being concerned as well.  

Austria's general elections

Austria went to the polls this weekend for general elections. Outside the country not a lot of people have paid attention to the event. Therefore, they failed to notice a very serious increase in the popular support for the right-wing populists and the Euro-sceptics. Together they collected more than 30% of the votes.

This is bad news for those who would like to push for more European integration. However, the governing grand coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and conservative People's Party (ÖVP) is expected to continue in power. They got 50.9% of the vote. This is small and one would not be surprised if some of their new policies are no more than an adaptation of what the Right-wingers and the Euro-sceptics have advocated during their electoral campaigns. One of those policy lines has to do with a tougher stance when it comes to bailing out other EU member states. 

The weather is not good

Today we had municipal elections in Portugal. It is, at this time, a bit early to get to conclusions. But it is obvious that many will read the results as a defeat for the government. And this will bring additional political stress to a situation is far from being stable. The country will continue to be a poor lame duck in a European scene that is less and less prepared those that keep limping behind. 

Riga

It’s a delight to spend time in Riga. I am now at the end of my usual long September stay in the capital of Latvia. And I leave with a good feeling. This is a place that is forward looking, committed and full of beautiful people. They are also an example of civility and discipline. And those are two ingredients that make everyday life much easier. Even in the cold and the rain of the long days of autumn or in the freezing temperatures of very heavy winters. Even when money is short and the living get tough. But this people will make it, I am sure.

EU defence

An objective estimate of the potential threats to Europe’s security – Europe in the sense of EU – is still missing. Such estimate – which is like an anticipation of the key risks to our collective security – needs to be made by a combination of civilian and military specialists under the direction of a civilian personality. It cannot be done by the soldiers alone. It is also impossible to do it without associating the best minds within the military. And people tend to forget these very elementary principles.