International community banned Iceland whaling

Thirty five countries signed a letter to condemn commercial policies undertaken in Reykjavík

by Emanuele Bonini

In a joint letter signed today the European Union, its 28 Member States and the governments of the United States, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Mexico, Monaco and New Zealand condemned the Icelandic government for its permission of commercial whaling, in particular the hunting of fin whales and the subsequent trading of fin whale products. The EU Ambassador to Iceland, Matthias Brinkmann, along with the diplomatic representatives of the United States, France, Germany and the United Kingdom thus delivered a démarche to this effect to the Icelandic government this morning. The Ambassador also pointed out that public opinion in the countries that are Iceland's main trading partners is very much against the practise of whaling. This is evidenced by the public pressure put on companies around the world to boycott Icelandic goods, not to mention the pressure that voters and various organisations put on their politicians, encouraging them to send Iceland an increasingly stronger message.
  «We, the European Union and its Member States and the Government of the United States of America, Australia, Brazil, Israel and New Zealand, wish to express our strong opposition to Iceland's continuing and increased commercial harvest of whales, particularly fin whales, and to its ongoing international trade in whale products», is written in the joint démarche by the EU, the United States, Australia, Brazil, Israel, Mexico, Monaco and New Zealand.

FACT SHEET / Juncker's Commission composition

(click to enlarge)

Juncker to change EU Commission: will it work?

Seven team leader will act as a board of governors over the rest of the college. Berlaymont toward a slim institution. Will be possible to decide?

Opinion

A bet for better. Jean-Claude Juncker's idea for next EU Commission can be read as a crucial moment for European policies. From the 1st of November, when Juncker's Commission will be in force, a huge experiment will start. Hopefully, we would say, it will start to work. Something to be outlined since it's not clear at this stage if the next European Commission will be able to be successful. What Juncker did was re-organize the whole structure: he created seven big "project team", one for each vice president. In practice we can imagine each vice president as a sort of director general coordinating seven or eight commissioners. In this way - that is Juncker's vision - European Commissioners will be not controlled by governments or corporations any more. In practice, Juncker doesn't want EU member states and lobbies interfere with Berlaymont activity. For such a reason commissioners will be responsible for their own portfolios, but they will not have the exclusivity. Competences will be shared. Just to make an example (see the picture up), the vice president in charge for Growth and jobs will the team leader for a team composed by commissioners for Economic affairs, Digital economy, Employment and social affairs, Financial stability, Internal market and industry, Transport, Climate action. Vice president in charge for the Euro will be the team leader of a team composed by commissioners for Economic affairs, Employment and social affairs, Financial stability, Internal market and industry, Regional policy, Justice. In theory the next president of the European Commission is supposed to have slim institution, with a president (Juncker), a board of governors (seven vice president, or team leaders), and "simple" commissioners. The point is: will "simple" commissioners accept to have not autonomy? Since the seven vice president will have power of veto, rejecting commissioners proposals, wow to be sure complains will be over? The truth is the institution could get jammed at any moment. EU officials said «Juncker's proposal is ambitious, but we don't know if it will work».

«Sanctions against Russia to stop EU recovery»

Martin Schulz warned about the "boomerang effect" in dealing with the Ukrainian crisis

by Emanuele Bonini

Be careful with Russia: any kind of fine will hit Europe and its economy. That's what the president of the European Parliament said today in front of governors of the European regions. Of course the EU has to show determination in order to find a solution to the Ukrainian crisis, but the leaders cannot hide the truth. And, underlined Martin Schulz, the truth is Europe risks to face another crisis. «Sanctions against Russia - though politically expedient - are expected to dampen growth expectations». For this reason, made clear the president of the European Parliament, «we have to be honest with our citizens: sanctions will not only entail economic costs for the other side, they will also come at an economic cost for Europe». Situation and scenarios are serious. «Some experts are warning about a deflation, others are even fearing the return of the Euro crisis». That would a huge problem, since the European Union is very weak. «Sadly, the crisis has not bound us Europeans closer together». On the contrary, «the crisis has driven us apart».

«Courageous reforms from Italy and France»

Martin Schulz congratulates with the two governments. «But will take time for positive effects»

Martin Schulz

by Emanuele Bonini

Italian prime minister and French president are doing something impressive on the path of structural reform, the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, said today in Brussels. But he warned it's necessary give time in order to understand better how huge is the work the two leaders are making. «Italy and France are undertaking courageous reforms, but we have to be realistic: it will take time for the positive results of these reforms to bear fruits». After all «this is the nature of structural reforms», recalled Schulz.
   Thus all those who ask for fiscal discipline should reduce their pressure. In return both Italy and France will must produce efforts for other policies. «Structural reforms are just one side of the coin», stated Schulz. In order to boost growth «investments are needed» taking into account fiscal consolidation. According to president Schulz «thinking the only answer to the problem are haircuts doesn't solve the question», but at the same time «we can't leave mountains of debt all around». Finally the president of the European Parliament invited all the EU member states not to let down the guard. «The crisis will only be over when the 25 million European unemployed have found a job again that allows them to live in dignity». This crisis, he emphasized, «will only be over when our children will no longer be in danger of becoming a lost generation and instead are looking towards a bright future». Last but not least, «the crisis will only be over when young entrepreneurs will again be able to obtain funding for their brilliant business idea».

bLOGBOOK - New York city

New York city

Road overflowed by cars, side walks overcrowded of people. Traffic noise and human buzz: the sound of the city. Despite the sun, streets are enlightened by the multicolour banners and signs fixed everywhere. In the air fragrances of melted asphalt and garbage, replaced sometimes by the smell produced by hot dogs sellers at the corner of the street. New York city is amazing. Messy and agitated, but in this environment the so called "big apple" is rational and logic. The urban organisation in blocks makes easy to move within the city. Fifth avenue, 43th street west, 45th street east... Streets have not name, but numbers. There are simply map reference point. Everything is perfectly organised in Cartesian plan. Of course in New York city there are Madison Square, Times square, Broadway, but all these destinations lies in the precise urban net. Skyscrapers, glass buildings and few level houses stand together conferring a curious and unique dimension. The New York public library, the second library in the U.S. after that one of the federal Congress, stands out. Its classic style is included in a space made by high buildings and modern towers. And in the back Braynt park is a lovely surprise: an oasis of relax and pleasure, a place where have a break before coming back to the city life. Between Broadway and Times Square New York never sleeps. Shows, musicals, concerts, drinks: welcome to the night life! In "Stardust" is possible to experience a typical N.Y. dimension. In this restaurant waiters and waitresses serve and work singing. Here Broadway talent scout come to find people for shows and musicals, putting under contract people from the service staff. All around people in mask try to sell a picture with superheroes and cartoon characters. Hello Kitty, Mickey Mouse, Daisy, Iron man, Spider man... All these people live in Times Square, every day. With them people in costume promote the musical or the show of the day. And at every corner, blacks selling ticket for panoramic view of the city and night bus tour. Wow. New York city gives the idea everything can happen, and in somehow it does.

FACT SHEET/ Juncker's EU commissioners list

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Juncker's EU commissioners list unveiled

The twenty six names sent to the Italian prime minister. Next step the distribution of seats

Jean-Claude Juncker

by Emanuele Bonini

The president-elect of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, today sent the list of Commissioners-designate to Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi in his capacity as president of the Council of the European Union. The Council must now agree to this list, after which the list will be published in the Official Journal of the EU (the EU Statute Book). Only after all that Juncker will proceed to the distribution of portfolios. Finally, the European Parliament will vote on the entire College of Commissioners proposal, including the president and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Here the proposed list of Commissioners-designate for the next Commission, in alphabetical order:

Quotes

«"Concrete reactions" wants to be another motto of the Italian presidency of the EU».
Sandro Gozi, Italian under secretary of State for European Affairs (Brussels, 3 September 2014)

Russia is not a strategic EU partner any more?

In next High Representative of the EU view special ties are over. But reality says the opposite

by Emanuele Bonini

According to the Italian minister for Foreign affairs and next High Representative of the EU, Federica Mogherini, «Russia is not a strategic partner anymore» for Europe. A declaration released because of the current crisis in Ukraine and the hegemonic behaviour of Vladimir Putin, whose purpose is to maintain the control over the former soviet republics of USSR. Finally the European Union finds out the courage to react using hard tone toward Moscow. But it's totally useless: it's too late and it's a lie. Long time before Federica Mogherini's stance on Ue-Russia ties, at the very beginning of the Ukrainian crisi Russia decided to start selling gas to China. The construction of the new pipeline began two days ago: Gazprom’s Power of Siberia pipeline will deliver 4 trillion cubic meters of gas to China over 30 years. In perspective and in practice, by the Russian side EU stopped to be a strategic partner well before Russia stopped to be for EU. Secondly, it's impossible to can state Russia is not a strategic partner any more, because the EU still depends by Russian supplies and Europe will not be able to replace provider in the short term. Federica Guidi, the Italian minister for Economic development, contradicted Mogherini few hours later the latter she said «Russia is not a strategic partner any more». Guidi said «there's the need to develop strong and stable relationship both with current gas suppliers and with transit countries». Russia is among Europe current gas suppliers and for Guidi's same admission «it's clear that Russian supplies are relevant».