Merkel and Eastern Europe: let the lady try her best

Angela Merkel is investing a lot in her country relations with Russia. Germany has a lot of interests in Russia and does not want the tensions between EU and Moscow to get worse. They are already pretty bad, that´s true. But any further deterioration would mean not only that the sanctions regime would continue to bite but also new measures. They would certainly penalise the Russians. They would also bring quite a bit of pain to the EU economies, particularly to the German one. In the circumstances, the German interests – an easing of the tensions on matters related to Ukraine – coincide with the European ones. It is therefore good news to see Merkel trying to find a solution. She has the authority, the resources, the power, and also very good access to Putin´s ears. Let´s hope there will be some progress in the very near future. 

Incompetence is the shortest road to leadership

Incompetent people often have the necessary arrogance that pushes them to leadership positions. And then we become more and more led by people that in normal circumstances should not be in power. 

Qatar should be told to keep away from ISIS

The role and the goals of Qatar in Middle East and also in Africa need to be carefully scrutinised. The Qatari authorities were very much behind the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. They invested billions to support the government of former president Mohamed Morsi. They have been very much behind Hamas in Gaza. And now there are questions being raised about their alleged assistance to the terrorist group ISIS.

In many ways, one has to be clear. Qatar should be challenged. And it is also important to underline that any regime that supports ISIS is an accomplice to a criminal organisation of dark-age fanatics. ISIS has no place in the modern world. And no civilised state should think that funding ISIS will serve its own national interests.

I am for a tough and clear diplomacy in this type of situations. 

Common sense is good leadership

Holiday time is no time for comments on international affairs. But it is a time to be optimistic about the common sense of key international leaders. It is not difficult to rock the boat. But it is true leadership to keep the steering straight, clear of the rocks and the sand banks. Common sense is a great leadership quality. Not always appreciated, as media and people like it when there is a big splash, but the truth of the matter is that the current balance in international affairs is good for peace and prosperity in many of our countries. 

Summer break, please do not disturb, we are Europeans

I am now at Vilamoura village in the middle of Algarve, Portugal. This is traditionally a week when the European affairs stop and people just want to think about the beach, the sun and the drinks. But this year summer has been different, with too many things going on in the international arena. People in Iraq, Libya, Liberia, Ukraine and some other hot spots should be told that Europeans do not like to be disturbed by dramatic events in August. Those people who ignore it and get into crisis do it at their own risk. The Europeans are now at the beach…

Brighter days

A sunny day gives a lot of colour to one´s environment. 

Ebola is turning life in Sierra Leone into hell

I was just in contact with Sierra Leone. The stories I am told about the impact of Ebola on the country and the daily lives of the people are just horrendous. Everything is upside down, villages and small towns are just quarantined, and there is fear all over. Just imagine a country where to be sick with fever is quite common, because of malaria and other diseases related to the heat, the humidity, the mediocre quality of the water and poor sanitation. Now, every bout of fever is a reason for panic: is it Ebola?

The outside world is responding as usual. No surprise. We just ignore it. We think the solution is to close the borders and look elsewhere. 

The financial snake and the golden ghost

At present the international scene is very unstable. People with lots of money and greedy egos seem to be particularly confused about the prospects. They have the financial resources, plenty of financial muscle, they get into the markets, buy loads of shares, then get nervous, and move out as swiftly as they came in.

That shows the volatility of the overall geopolitical situation.

It also shows that financial decisions and the related markets are now fully connected all over the world. Early in the morning, well before the beginning of the business day in Europe, people in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Luxembourg will get all the data from stock exchanges and analysts in Asia. That gives then the trend for the day.

And vice versa. Tomorrow morning, big guys in Hong Kong, Shanghai or Tokyo will start their early hours by looking at the information coming during night from the US. And that will influence their decision making.

It is often the snake eating its own tail. 

Costly Stavanger

I arrived in Stavanger last night. Coming from Lisbon, it was like a flight between Summer and early Autumn.
It´s cold and windy here But it is quite impressive to see how the city keeps growing, how large and modern business establishments are mushrooming, and also how the residential areas are able to maintain the tranquility, the beauty and the living space local people are so keen to have. In a country with an expensive cost of living, Stavanger is the priciest place.

The oil industry, this is the capital of oil exploration and services in Norway, explains the costs. It is also pretty interesting to look at the human landscape. The place is attracting a good number of immigrants, from many parts of Europe, Poland for instance, as well as refugees from the Middle East and elsewhere. And I have developed a test. If I address someone in English and he or she only replies in Norwegian, than the fellow is either from Eastern Europe or from Iraq or near by.

Most Europeans believe in the future of the EU

The daily “La Libre Belgique”, a key newspaper in Brussels, is conducting a survey on line about the future of the European Union. Basically, the question is: do you think the EU will disintegrate in the future? Over 7,000 people have now replied and only 30% said yes, that there will be no EU in the future.

At a time the common project is under serious attack in almost every EU country, the outcome of this consultation is rather encouraging. For many, Europe remains a project that is worthwhile.