A bit of fresh air

This evening in Stavanger people are just sitting outside by the fjord and enjoying a few drinks and some food. It is not a big crowd, but it is interesting to see them enjoying the cold but relatively dry weather. Like in any café terrace in warmer places.  Pleasure in life is sometimes made of just some fresh air and a relaxed approach to the one´s destiny. 

Ukraine: the diplomatic front should be supported

The joint diplomatic initiative taken by François Hollande and Angela Merkel, who decided to fly to Kiev today and then to Moscow, should be supported. It is true that it gives us a measure of the seriousness of the current situation in Eastern Ukraine. But it is the best response to a fast deteriorating conflict. It also comes at a time when Vladimir Putin seems to be ready to talk. The sides might be far apart, no doubt. But negotiations never take place when things are going well. They happen when the costs of further fighting become too high. And also when the possibility of an uncontrolled escalation is around the corner. We have both at present. Therefore, let´s give diplomacy a chance. And the first step has to be an agreement on a ceasefire. Both sides should accept the status quo and freeze the war. Then, negotiations could start and take the time they might require to achieve a durable settlement.

Let´s hope. Let´s also be clear that the continuation of the existing offensive cannot be accepted and must stop. 

Looking for a humanitarian lady

At the UN headquarters there is a bit of a fight about the position of Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, which is officially known as Emergency Relief Coordinator. The British Baroness Amos, who has led the humanitarian department of the UN since late 2010, has decided to leave the position, for reasons better known to herself. She announced her departure in November of last year. Since then, Prime Minister Cameron has tried to impose one of his party friends as the nominee, but the Secretary-General has found the candidate too weak and blatantly unqualified for the job. Cameron was actually advised to suggest other names. But the impasse goes on. And the other British names that have been mentioned in some corridors are not much better than Cameron´s friend.

My guess is that Ban wants to appoint a woman. Maybe Cameron or another Prime Minister elsewhere will come up with the right lady. 

Time to act

It´s time to move faster and decisively in order to provide meaningful military assistance to Ukraine. Without it the government will not be able to stop the new offensive the rebels have undertaken. The success of such an offensive will have high political costs, including the perception in Moscow that it pays to be bold and act elsewhere as they have done in Eastern Ukraine. 

Minsk´s impasse

The new round of talks in Minsk – just one short day around the table – ended without any type of progress. It´s no surprise. The situation on the ground in Ukraine is deteriorating fast. The rebels and their backers are on the offensive and fully convinced they have the initiative. They can afford to say no to the Minsk pretence.

OSCE and my friend Heidi Tagliavini, the peace facilitator, have shown a lot of patience. I admire them. They should continue their efforts. Even if they are just useful to let everyone see that the rebellion is not in a mood to talk about peace. The rebels know they can count on the support of their powerful godfather. 

Spain´s Podemos is on the streets

The emblematic square Puerta del Sol in Madrid was full of people this afternoon. They came as part of the new popular political movement Podemos (We Can). It was their first big rally in preparation for the general elections that will take place this fall. And by the size and enthusiasm of the crowd – the best estimates mention 150,000 people – I think we can expect a very interesting electoral year in Spain.

But it is also clear that their future is very much linked to the destiny of the new government in Greece. If Syriza keeps its momentum and achieves a good deal of its promises, than we can expect Podemos to be the big winner of the Spanish elections. The connection is clear. Even if Podemos appears to be less confrontational than its sister party in Greece. 

Europe and the sound of boots

The situation in Ukraine is deteriorating fast once again.

I spent some time looking at the uniforms, the equipment and the logistics of the insurgents. They have new tools and the appropriate type of supplies for the season and the terrain.

I have also looked at the tactics. These fighters are very well trained, pretty professional. They have plans and they know how to operate. They are not your usual rebel movement.

It´s quite obvious that many are from a regular army and they have the support of powerful logistics. All this can only come from Russia.

Russia is therefore in clear violation of international norms and the principles of peace and cooperation in Europe.

And this is only part of a wider strategy aimed at the European Union and NATO. 

Let´s be clear: it is a very dangerous strategy, an extremely bad political option. 

We have good reasons to be worried. 

Time to ponder about our relations with Saudi Arabia

The inauguration of a new King in Saudi Arabia should be taken as a chance to review the relations between Europe and that country. There are many dimensions of Saudi politics that are far away from our values. Without advocating any type of meddling in the internal affairs of the Kingdom, we should however show some distance and disapproval for anything that does not respect the internationally accepted convention on human rights, including the rights of the women and the freedom of religious practice.

We surrender moral authority every time we are perceived as weak and give room for accusations of double standards.

We gain when we frank with our allies. And we can be frank and still be diplomatic in our approach. 

Auschwitz is a powerful symbol

Today´s celebrations at Auschwitz should be emphasised. Europe needs to be confronted with the horrors of the recent past – people who suffered at that death camp are still with us – and be reminded that we can commit atrocities against our next door neighbour if, for a start, we do not respect him or her, if we do not accept that Europe is diverse and that diversity is enriching for all of us.

We mention so often the European values. Good. But then we should take into account that cultural tolerance is one of the defining principles that shape our system of values. 

Greece´s very delicate position

Greece´s future is at play. One should be very clear about it. The new leadership will have to be very strategic in their negotiations with the key European actors. These actors have time and money and are in no rush to achieve an agreement. And they do not want to take any measure or agree on anything that might be perceived as a precedent, as a Pandora box.

The same cannot be said of the Greek side. They have little time and little money. They cannot engage in a very long process. Results will have to be achieved soon. And that puts them in a much weaker position. It is, in many ways, an almost impossible position.