The Kremlin has issued a strong warning to the European Union on its proposal to freeze Russian Financial assets to assist Ukraine in its war effort. Moscow said the EU continuing with its plans will have 'catastrophic' consequences.

Russia-Ukraine war | Russia warns western banks over asset confiscation

In response to mounting concerns about potential destabilisation of the European market, the European Union (EU) is preparing to implement tariffs of up to 50 per cent&nbsp;on grain imports from Russia.

This move, spearheaded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seeks to counter fears that Russia might flood the market with cheap wheat, thereby disrupting the stability of European grain prices.

The decision comes on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plea to EU leaders to take action against the "stolen" grain from occupied territories. Von der Leyen stressed on the necessity of these tariffs to mitigate risks to European markets and farmers, as Russia's actions could potentially benefit its war efforts.

“We propose the imposition of tariffs on these Russian imports to mitigate the growing risk to our markets and our farmers. They will reduce Russia’s capacity to exploit the EU for the benefit of its war machine,” she said.

Also watch |&nbsp;Red Sea Tensions: Russia and China strike deal with Houthis?

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<h2>Preventing market manipulation</h2>

The primary agenda&nbsp;of the proposed tariffs is to prevent the illegal dumping of grain by Russia, which could be used as a tool to exacerbate tensions with Ukraine.

European officials highlighted concerns about the potential redirection of Russian grain, potentially facilitated by Belarus, into the EU market, posing a threat to market stability.

Under the proposed measures, Russian grain, which currently enters the EU with minimal or no customs duties, would face a tariff of €95 ($102) per tonne. This tariff structure aims to regulate the influx of Russian grain into the European market, safeguarding against potential disruptions and maintaining fair competition for European farmers.

Zelensky's address to EU leaders also shed light on&nbsp;the challenges faced by Ukraine, including the theft of Ukrainian grain and obstacles encountered by Ukrainian farmers in exporting their produce. He urged EU leaders to address these disparities to ensure fair treatment for Ukrainian agricultural products.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-launches-barrage-of-missiles-on-ukraines-capital-city-hours-after-us-national-security-adviser-visit-702882">Also read |&nbsp;Russia launches barrage of missiles on Ukraine's capital city hours after US national security adviser's visit</a>

EU officials highlighted the significant increase in Russian grain exports to the EU, coupled with a surge in Russian grain production. From 2022 to 2023, Russian grain exports to the EU rose from 960,000 tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes, while production increased from 35 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes during the same period.

The proposal by the European Commission awaits final approval by the European Council, which could be expedited through a qualified majority vote. Von der Leyen justified the proposal, citing its role in preventing market destabilisation and halting Russia's exploitation of export revenues.

(With inputs from agencies)

In response to mounting concerns about potential destabilisation of the European market, the European Union (EU) is preparing to implement tariffs of up to 50 per cent on grain imports from Russia.

In response to mounting concerns about potential destabilisation of the European market, the European Union (EU) is preparing to implement tariffs of up to 50 per cent on grain imports from Russia. This move, spearheaded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, seeks to counter fears that Russia might flood the market with cheap wheat, thereby disrupting the stability of European grain prices. The decision comes on the heels of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plea to EU leaders to take action against the "stolen" grain from occupied territories. Von der Leyen stressed on the necessity of these tariffs to mitigate risks to European markets and farmers, as Russia's actions could potentially benefit its war efforts. “We propose the imposition of tariffs on these Russian imports to mitigate the growing risk to our markets and our farmers. They will reduce Russia’s capacity to exploit the EU for the benefit of its war machine,” she said. Also watch | Red Sea Tensions: Russia and China strike deal with Houthis? Preventing market manipulation The primary agenda of the proposed tariffs is to prevent the illegal dumping of grain by Russia, which could be used as a tool to exacerbate tensions with Ukraine. European officials highlighted concerns about the potential redirection of Russian grain, potentially facilitated by Belarus, into the EU market, posing a threat to market stability. Under the proposed measures, Russian grain, which currently enters the EU with minimal or no customs duties, would face a tariff of €95 ($102) per tonne. This tariff structure aims to regulate the influx of Russian grain into the European market, safeguarding against potential disruptions and maintaining fair competition for European farmers. Zelensky's address to EU leaders also shed light on the challenges faced by Ukraine, including the theft of Ukrainian grain and obstacles encountered by Ukrainian farmers in exporting their produce. He urged EU leaders to address these disparities to ensure fair treatment for Ukrainian agricultural products. Also read | Russia launches barrage of missiles on Ukraine's capital city hours after US national security adviser's visit EU officials highlighted the significant increase in Russian grain exports to the EU, coupled with a surge in Russian grain production. From 2022 to 2023, Russian grain exports to the EU rose from 960,000 tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes, while production increased from 35 million tonnes to 50 million tonnes during the same period. The proposal by the European Commission awaits final approval by the European Council, which could be expedited through a qualified majority vote. Von der Leyen justified the proposal, citing its role in preventing market destabilisation and halting Russia's exploitation of export revenues. (With inputs from agencies)

EU set to impose up to 50% tariff on Russian grain imports

EU imports from Xinjiang have gone up over 200%. Poland, Belgium and the Netherlands are among the biggest buyers from Xinjiang, with most of these countries importing Lithium-ion battries, tomato paste. What happened to Europe's sermons on human rights? What happened to calling out China for genocide?

Gravitas: EU imports from Xinjiang rise 200%, a classic case of European hypocrisy?

The India-EFTA trade and economic partnership agreement that was signed recently promises significant benefits for both India and the European Free Trade Association countries. The countries in the EFTA include Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.

India-EFTA trade pact: How it benefits India?

In a significant boost to India's global trade credentials, New Delhi has signed a deal with the European free trade association. Against the backdrop of the India-EFTA historic deal, Norwegian Minister for Trade and Industry, Jan Christian Vestre spoke to WION. Watch to know more!

Norwegian Minister Jan Christian Vestre hails the historic India-EFTA agreement | WION Exclusive

Iceland's Foreign Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, expressed enthusiasm over the signing of a trade and economic agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). He highlighted the vast opportunities this partnership brings for all EFTA states and India, particularly in industries like fishing and energy. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he said, "At the end of the day, a free trade agreement is something that just opens the door. So now it's up to the business partners to seize those opportunities and have good things come out of this." He also spoke on investment commitments under the pact, supply chain focus etc. Watch to know more!

India EFTA Deal: Iceland FM Bjarni Benediktsson to WION on opportunities for EFTA states

India EFTA pact opens new opportunities, says Iceland FM Bjarni Benediktsson

In a significant boost to India's global trade credentials, New Delhi has signed a deal with the European free trade association. That's a four nation bloc, comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, which will soon open an office in India. The free trade deal is a culmination of over 15 years of negotiations between India and the E-F-T-A. Watch to know more!

India signs 'Free Trade Agreement' with four-nation European bloc

Google has now revealed new changes for its users in the European Union - this includes change in search results and new tools for app developers. The move aims to comply with new EU regulations.

Google rolls out change for users under EU rules; users can opt-out from sharing data

EU negotiators on Monday (March 4) reached an agreement to ban the use of single-use plastics in cafes and restaurants, starting in 2030. This decision was taken as part of new regulations aimed at reducing packaging waste across the bloc.

<h2>The single-use plastic ban</h2>

The European Union's 27 nations and lawmakers have agreed on a draft text which includes a target to reduce packaging waste by five per cent by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. This reduction will further be increased to 10 per cent by 2035 and 15 per cent by 2040.

Unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables, individual servings of condiments and sugar, as well as miniature toiletries and shrink-wrap used for suitcases in airports will also fall under the ban on single-use plastic packaging. Additionally, ultra-lightweight plastic bags will also be banned, with some exceptions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/these-earth-critters-may-be-colonising-the-moon-all-thanks-to-a-2019-crash-heres-all-you-need-to-know-696342">These Earth critters may be colonising the moon, all thanks to a 2019 crash. Here's all you need to know</a>

The agreement also calls for establishments offering beverages and takeaway food to strive to provide 10 per cent of their products in reusable packaging by 2030.&nbsp;

Consumers should also have the option to use their own containers, said the EU parliament.

Additionally, lawmakers included a provision to ban "forever chemicals" in food packaging that come into contact with food to prevent adverse health effects, including various types of cancer.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-silent-warning-microplastics-is-found-in-every-human-placenta-a-new-study-reveals-693332">A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study</a>

The agreement, as per AFP, is a key element of the EU's environmental objectives outlined in the Green Deal, a series of regulations designed to help the bloc achieve its climate targets.

The agreement will become law following formal approval by member states and the parliament.

<h2>Belgium lauds the agreement&nbsp;</h2>

Belgium, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, took to X to announce: "This regulation aims to reduce waste caused by packaging, making it more sustainable, while ensuring the highest waste management standards."

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🥡 Deal! <a href="https://twitter.com/EUCouncil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EUCouncil</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/Europarl_EN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Europarl_EN</a> reach a provisional agreement on a proposal for a regulation on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/packaging?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#packaging</a> &amp; packaging waste. 
 
This regulation aims to reduce waste caused by packaging, making it more sustainable, while ensuring the highest waste management standards. <a href="https://t.co/9yDA0ujeTS">pic.twitter.com/9yDA0ujeTS</a>
— Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024 (@EU2024BE) <a href="https://twitter.com/EU2024BE/status/1764715924966216185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Frederique Ries, the Belgian EU lawmaker who championed the legislation, lauded the ban and said: "The ban on forever chemicals in food packaging is a great victory for the health of European consumers."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shocking-great-white-shark-washes-up-on-australian-beach-heres-what-happened-next-696454">‘Shocking’: Great white shark washes up on Australian beach</a>

"For the first time in an environmental law, the EU is setting targets to reduce packaging consumption, regardless of the material used."

"We call on all industrial sectors, EU countries and consumers to play their part in the fight against excess packaging," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

EU negotiators on Monday (March 4) reached an agreement to ban the use of single-use plastics in cafes and restaurants, starting in 2030. This decision was taken as part of new regulations aimed at reducing packaging waste across the bloc.

EU negotiators on Monday (March 4) reached an agreement to ban the use of single-use plastics in cafes and restaurants, starting in 2030. This decision was taken as part of new regulations aimed at reducing packaging waste across the bloc. The single-use plastic ban The European Union's 27 nations and lawmakers have agreed on a draft text which includes a target to reduce packaging waste by five per cent by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. This reduction will further be increased to 10 per cent by 2035 and 15 per cent by 2040. Unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables, individual servings of condiments and sugar, as well as miniature toiletries and shrink-wrap used for suitcases in airports will also fall under the ban on single-use plastic packaging. Additionally, ultra-lightweight plastic bags will also be banned, with some exceptions. Also read | These Earth critters may be colonising the moon, all thanks to a 2019 crash. Here's all you need to know The agreement also calls for establishments offering beverages and takeaway food to strive to provide 10 per cent of their products in reusable packaging by 2030. Consumers should also have the option to use their own containers, said the EU parliament. Additionally, lawmakers included a provision to ban "forever chemicals" in food packaging that come into contact with food to prevent adverse health effects, including various types of cancer. Also read | A silent warning? Microplastics found in every human placenta, reveals new study The agreement, as per AFP, is a key element of the EU's environmental objectives outlined in the Green Deal, a series of regulations designed to help the bloc achieve its climate targets. The agreement will become law following formal approval by member states and the parliament. Belgium lauds the agreement Belgium, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, took to X to announce: "This regulation aims to reduce waste caused by packaging, making it more sustainable, while ensuring the highest waste management standards." 🥡 Deal! @EUCouncil & @Europarl_EN reach a provisional agreement on a proposal for a regulation on #packaging & packaging waste. This regulation aims to reduce waste caused by packaging, making it more sustainable, while ensuring the highest waste management standards. pic.twitter.com/9yDA0ujeTS — Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU 2024 (@EU2024BE) March 4, 2024 × Frederique Ries, the Belgian EU lawmaker who championed the legislation, lauded the ban and said: "The ban on forever chemicals in food packaging is a great victory for the health of European consumers." Also read | ‘Shocking’: Great white shark washes up on Australian beach "For the first time in an environmental law, the EU is setting targets to reduce packaging consumption, regardless of the material used." "We call on all industrial sectors, EU countries and consumers to play their part in the fight against excess packaging," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

EU to ban single-use plastic in cafes and restaurants by 2030

Farmers across europe have renewed demonstrations to demand action from policymakers. Apart from cheap supermarket prices and low-cost imports, they are also concerned about the european union's strenuous environmental rules.

European concerned about the EU's strenuous environmental rules

20 major tech companies have joined forces to prevent deceptive AI content from influencing Global elections this year signatories of the agreement include Tech giants like open AI, Microsoft, adobe, meta platforms, Tik Tok and X. Now the agreement involves developing detection tools, public awareness campaigns and taking action against misleading content generated by AI. Watch to know more!

Meta to launch elections operations center for EU elections, action against AI threat to elections

Around 20 European leaders and representatives of other nations met in Paris to discuss the war in Ukraine. The host French president Emanuel Macron announced new steps to strengthen military aid to Ukraine. Macron said that the Russian defeat is extremely crucial to the security and stability in Europe while adding that the leaders gathered to send Putin a message of European determination on Ukraine he said that Moscow is showing more aggressive nature not just in Ukraine but in general as well. Watch to know more!

EU's Josep Borell says, 'Europe in danger with two wars on its doorstep'

India and the European Union are deepening their ties with trade, tourism, and defence topping the list of priorities. In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on the sidelines of the Raisina Summit in New Delhi, the European External Action Service's Secretary General&nbsp;Stefano&nbsp;Sannino&nbsp;delved into ties with India, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and more.&nbsp;

<h2>On key focus during the Delhi visit</h2>

Sannino said that the focus of New Delhi visit is how the two sides can grow and deepen their cooperation. 
 
"We are working on a number of areas including the Free Trade Agreement, exchanges in investment between India and the EU, and the maritime sector," Sannino said.

<h2>On FTA and its status</h2>

Sannino said that the trade negotiations are&nbsp;now in the seventh round of the FTA.

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"There's a team for trade negotiations, we're now in the seventh round of the FTA, we're very much willing to go ahead with it", Secretary General, European External Action Service (EEAS) 🇪🇺, Stefano Sannino tells <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WIONews</a> ; Coming soon <a href="https://t.co/7hRclY3dh1">pic.twitter.com/7hRclY3dh1</a>
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"We are very much willing to go ahead with it, there is political will and interest in both sides, and we have to keep time to find an outcome," Sannino added.&nbsp;

<h2>On the Russia-Ukraine war</h2>

Sannino said that for the European Union,&nbsp;Russian aggression is an existential threat.

"Russia is trying to create a post-soviet space and reestablish its influence.&nbsp;We need to make sure that we are aware of the consequences that we are creating for the countries around the war," Sannino added.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-eu-official-claims-russia-is-now-at-war-with-nato-and-the-west-556543">Ukraine war: EU official says ‘Russia has changed ‘special operation’ into war with NATO and West’</a>

Speaking about the European Union's ties with&nbsp;China, Sannino said that Europe has established a strategy to manage its relationship with China.&nbsp;

"We define China as a partner, where we try to put together global issues, it is a competitor because economically we compete, we want to be sure that this is done on a level playing field so that they're not misusing their capacity to intervene politically into the market," Sannino said.

"It is part of our strategy to engage with them.&nbsp;We want to reduce the risk of exposure to our economy and reduce the dependence of our economy as well," he added.

<h2>On India-Europe convergences, crises in West Asia and Red Sea</h2>

Describing the&nbsp;India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a crucial "strategic project",&nbsp;Sannino said, "Things which we have tried to do together include starting of the IMEC in the Middle-East Europe corridor, which is a very important project, a strategic project, linking our continents in a project which should be open to people."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delhi-g20-modi-biden-mbs-launch-inter-continent-economic-corridor-to-outfox-chinas-bri-634176">G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal'</a>

&nbsp;

India and the European Union are deepening their ties with trade, tourism, and defence topping the list of priorities. In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on the sidelines of the Raisina Summit in New Delhi, the European External Action Service's Secretary General Stefano Sannino delved into ties with India, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and more.

India and the European Union are deepening their ties with trade, tourism, and defence topping the list of priorities. In an exclusive conversation with WION's principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal on the sidelines of the Raisina Summit in New Delhi, the European External Action Service's Secretary General Stefano Sannino delved into ties with India, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations and more. On key focus during the Delhi visit Sannino said that the focus of New Delhi visit is how the two sides can grow and deepen their cooperation. "We are working on a number of areas including the Free Trade Agreement, exchanges in investment between India and the EU, and the maritime sector," Sannino said. On FTA and its status Sannino said that the trade negotiations are now in the seventh round of the FTA. "There's a team for trade negotiations, we're now in the seventh round of the FTA, we're very much willing to go ahead with it", Secretary General, European External Action Service (EEAS) 🇪🇺, Stefano Sannino tells @WIONews ; Coming soon pic.twitter.com/7hRclY3dh1 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) February 23, 2024 × "We are very much willing to go ahead with it, there is political will and interest in both sides, and we have to keep time to find an outcome," Sannino added. On the Russia-Ukraine war Sannino said that for the European Union, Russian aggression is an existential threat. "Russia is trying to create a post-soviet space and reestablish its influence. We need to make sure that we are aware of the consequences that we are creating for the countries around the war," Sannino added. Also read | Ukraine war: EU official says ‘Russia has changed ‘special operation’ into war with NATO and West’ Speaking about the European Union's ties with China, Sannino said that Europe has established a strategy to manage its relationship with China. "We define China as a partner, where we try to put together global issues, it is a competitor because economically we compete, we want to be sure that this is done on a level playing field so that they're not misusing their capacity to intervene politically into the market," Sannino said. "It is part of our strategy to engage with them. We want to reduce the risk of exposure to our economy and reduce the dependence of our economy as well," he added. On India-Europe convergences, crises in West Asia and Red Sea Describing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a crucial "strategic project", Sannino said, "Things which we have tried to do together include starting of the IMEC in the Middle-East Europe corridor, which is a very important project, a strategic project, linking our continents in a project which should be open to people." Also read | G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal'

European Union 'very much willing' to go ahead with India FTA, says EU official Stefano Sannino

Protesters gathered across major European cities on Saturday (Feb 24) to express solidarity with Ukraine, marking the second anniversary of the beginning of the Russian offensive. Amid mounting concerns over Kyiv's ability to resist an emboldened Russia, demonstrators in Berlin, London, Paris, and other cities waved the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag, and called for enhanced&nbsp;Western support in Ukraine's war effort against the Russian offensive.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-enters-third-year-as-putin-defies-wests-support-for-zelensky-693480">Russia-Ukraine war enters third year as Putin defies West’s support for Zelensky</a>

The conflict, launched&nbsp;by Russian forces on February 24, 2022, marked the biggest return of conflict to Europe since the Second World War. Fears of diminishing support from Ukraine's allies prompted calls for accelerated arms deliveries at a protest in Berlin, where thousands gathered at the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin mayor Kai Wegner while addressing the crowd, decried Putin's "brutal war of aggression" and called for the delivery of long-range Taurus missiles, a request the German government has so far resisted due to concerns about potential strikes inside Russia.

Also watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Western leaders offer support to Ukraine

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In London, thousands marched to Trafalgar Square, displaying banners with messages such as "world supports Ukraine" and "Russia is a terrorist state." Demonstrators voiced frustration over what they perceived as insufficient weaponry supplied by the West.

Protests also reverberated across France, with thousands in central Paris chanting slogans like "Putin murderer" and "Russia out of Ukraine."

Warsaw, the capital of Poland and a crucial ally to Ukraine, saw over 1,000 protesters gather in front of the Russian embassy, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

Demonstrators in Warsaw displayed crosses bearing the names of war victims and models of buildings destroyed in Russian bombings.

Similar rallies unfolded in various European cities, including Dublin, Athens, Stockholm, and Milan.

<h2>Most Europeans feel Ukraine can no longer withstand Moscow</h2>

Despite the widespread support on Saturday (Feb 24), a recent survey indicates rising anxiety among Europeans about Ukraine's ability to withstand Moscow.

Only 10 per cent of respondents across 12 EU countries believe Ukraine can triumph on the battlefield, with 20 per cent believing Russia could win, and 37 per cent anticipating a compromise settlement in the ongoing conflict.

(With inputs from agencies)

Protesters gathered across major European cities on Saturday (Feb 24) to express solidarity with Ukraine, marking the second anniversary of the beginning of the Russian offensive.

Protesters gathered across major European cities on Saturday (Feb 24) to express solidarity with Ukraine, marking the second anniversary of the beginning of the Russian offensive. Amid mounting concerns over Kyiv's ability to resist an emboldened Russia, demonstrators in Berlin, London, Paris, and other cities waved the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag, and called for enhanced Western support in Ukraine's war effort against the Russian offensive. Also read | Russia-Ukraine war enters third year as Putin defies West’s support for Zelensky The conflict, launched by Russian forces on February 24, 2022, marked the biggest return of conflict to Europe since the Second World War. Fears of diminishing support from Ukraine's allies prompted calls for accelerated arms deliveries at a protest in Berlin, where thousands gathered at the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Berlin mayor Kai Wegner while addressing the crowd, decried Putin's "brutal war of aggression" and called for the delivery of long-range Taurus missiles, a request the German government has so far resisted due to concerns about potential strikes inside Russia. Also watch | Russia-Ukraine war: Western leaders offer support to Ukraine × In London, thousands marched to Trafalgar Square, displaying banners with messages such as "world supports Ukraine" and "Russia is a terrorist state." Demonstrators voiced frustration over what they perceived as insufficient weaponry supplied by the West. Protests also reverberated across France, with thousands in central Paris chanting slogans like "Putin murderer" and "Russia out of Ukraine." Warsaw, the capital of Poland and a crucial ally to Ukraine, saw over 1,000 protesters gather in front of the Russian embassy, news agency AFP reported. Demonstrators in Warsaw displayed crosses bearing the names of war victims and models of buildings destroyed in Russian bombings. Similar rallies unfolded in various European cities, including Dublin, Athens, Stockholm, and Milan. Most Europeans feel Ukraine can no longer withstand Moscow Despite the widespread support on Saturday (Feb 24), a recent survey indicates rising anxiety among Europeans about Ukraine's ability to withstand Moscow. Only 10 per cent of respondents across 12 EU countries believe Ukraine can triumph on the battlefield, with 20 per cent believing Russia could win, and 37 per cent anticipating a compromise settlement in the ongoing conflict. (With inputs from agencies)

Europeans rally to support Ukraine as war with Russia enters third year

The European Union's Belgian presidency announced on social media site X that the EU had approved its 13th set of sanctions on Russia on Wednesday, reiterating earlier information Reuters had received from sources.&nbsp;

The Belgian presidency announced that "EU ambassadors have reached a principle agreement on the 13th package of sanctions in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine," referring to it as "one of the biggest adopted by the EU."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-eu-official-claims-russia-is-now-at-war-with-nato-and-the-west-556543">EU official says ‘Russia has changed ‘special operation’ into war with NATO and West’</a>

There won't be any new sectoral measures in the new package, but almost all&nbsp;businesses and individuals will be added to the list. On February 24, the second anniversary of the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the package will be formally authorised.

The listings primarily target entities and individuals affiliated with Russia's military industrial complex, as well as those implicated in the trafficking and abduction of Ukrainian children. Additionally, a North Korean and a Belarusian firm have been included in the listings.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ukraine-war-eu-mulling-fresh-sanctions-on-russia-653818" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ukraine-war-eu-mulling-fresh-sanctions-on-russia-653818&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjIl6z-sbyEAxVnTWwGHd6RBZsQFnoECAQQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw0dyo9ElHExf9VFYsVw18YM" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ukraine-war-eu-mulling-fresh-sanctions-on-russia-653818" target="_blank">Ukraine War:&nbsp;EU&nbsp;mulling fresh sanctions on&nbsp;Russia</a>

In March of the previous year, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court asserted that Russia had relocated "at least hundreds" of children from orphanages and care facilities in occupied Ukrainian regions, with "many" being put up for adoption. The ICC indicted officials, including President Vladimir Putin, for the abduction of Ukrainian children, classifying it as a war crime. Moscow denies any wrongdoing, contending that it has taken in children from the war zone to ensure their safety. Ukraine asserts that over 4,000 children have been taken by Russia.

The new measures also target the procurement network supporting Russia's military, particularly the supply chain involved in drone manufacturing. Twenty-seven companies, predominantly Russian, along with three mainland Chinese firms and one Hong Kong-based company, have been added to Annex IV, barring European firms from selling dual-use goods to them.

Watch:&nbsp;Fresh EU sanctions on Russia

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The official approval of these measures is scheduled to coincide with the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the need to continue undermining Putin's war machine, stating, "We are also further cutting Russia’s access to drones."

Ambassadors have extended the current sanctions regime, which lists approximately 2,000 individuals and companies, for an additional six months.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Union's Belgian presidency announced on social media site X that the EU had approved its 13th set of sanctions on Russia on Wednesday, reiterating earlier information Reuters had received from sources.

The European Union's Belgian presidency announced on social media site X that the EU had approved its 13th set of sanctions on Russia on Wednesday, reiterating earlier information Reuters had received from sources. The Belgian presidency announced that "EU ambassadors have reached a principle agreement on the 13th package of sanctions in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine," referring to it as "one of the biggest adopted by the EU." Also read: EU official says ‘Russia has changed ‘special operation’ into war with NATO and West’ There won't be any new sectoral measures in the new package, but almost all businesses and individuals will be added to the list. On February 24, the second anniversary of the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the package will be formally authorised. The listings primarily target entities and individuals affiliated with Russia's military industrial complex, as well as those implicated in the trafficking and abduction of Ukrainian children. Additionally, a North Korean and a Belarusian firm have been included in the listings. Also read: Ukraine War: EU mulling fresh sanctions on Russia In March of the previous year, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court asserted that Russia had relocated "at least hundreds" of children from orphanages and care facilities in occupied Ukrainian regions, with "many" being put up for adoption. The ICC indicted officials, including President Vladimir Putin, for the abduction of Ukrainian children, classifying it as a war crime. Moscow denies any wrongdoing, contending that it has taken in children from the war zone to ensure their safety. Ukraine asserts that over 4,000 children have been taken by Russia. The new measures also target the procurement network supporting Russia's military, particularly the supply chain involved in drone manufacturing. Twenty-seven companies, predominantly Russian, along with three mainland Chinese firms and one Hong Kong-based company, have been added to Annex IV, barring European firms from selling dual-use goods to them. Watch: Fresh EU sanctions on Russia × The official approval of these measures is scheduled to coincide with the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised the need to continue undermining Putin's war machine, stating, "We are also further cutting Russia’s access to drones." Ambassadors have extended the current sanctions regime, which lists approximately 2,000 individuals and companies, for an additional six months. (With inputs from agencies)

European Union gives green light to its 13th sanctions package targeting Russia

As efforts ramp up to channel frozen Russian assets towards Ukraine's reconstruction, the European union has passed a law aimed at managing these funds. This comes as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a warning, highlighting potential legal challenges ahead. Watch to know more!

EU law targets frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction

Russia on Tuesday (Feb 13) warned the West that its response would be “very tough” if its assets were seized by Europe and the United States. Both the European Union and the US seized Russian assets worth $300 billion in 2022 following Moscow’s decision to invade Ukraine. Russia’s warning came a day after the EU adopted a law aimed at utilising windfall profits from Russian assets frozen in EU banks for rebuilding Ukraine.

"This is theft: It's the appropriation of something that doesn't belong to you," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by state-backed media. She added that Russia’s response would be “very tough.”

"Considering that our country has qualified this as theft, the attitude will be towards thieves," Zakharova said. "Not as political manipulators, not as overplayed technologists, but as thieves," she added. Moscow maintains that it would also seize American and European assets in a tit-for-tat move.

<h2>EU’s new law </h2>

Russia’s response came after the EU on Monday passed the law aimed at funding Ukraine’s rebuilding using Russian assets. The EU, along with G7 nations have been debating for over a year how the Russian assets should be used to help Ukraine.

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: What hope for Ukraine if US military aid dries up?

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The US even floated the idea of confiscating the $300 billion assets altogether, a move deemed too risky by the EU officials.

<h2>Who holds Russian assets in Europe?</h2>

The majority of the assets are held by Belgium's clearing house Euroclear.

The law passed on Monday means central securities depositories (CSDs), such as Euroclear, will be prohibited from using net profits and must keep revenues from the Russian assets separate.

The law would apply to all financial institutions holding Russian assets worth more than $1.1 million.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-jsarwt="1" data-usg="AOvVaw3gZmFF1ftwPerUXbeNdXK5" data-ved="2ahUKEwjF2aqhmaiEAxWS_DgGHXrlB_0QxfQBKAB6BAgQEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/eu-to-channel-frozen-russian-assets-for-ukraines-reconstruction-report-689731" jsname="YKoRaf">EU to channel frozen Russian assets for Ukraine`s reconstruction: Report</a>

As per estimates, a whopping $16 billion in profits could be extracted from Russian assets by using the new law.

Ukraine welcomed the EU’s move. "We encourage further steps to enable their practical use for Ukraine's benefit. These steps must be ambitious and prompt," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia on Tuesday (Feb 13) warned the West that its response would be “very tough” if its assets were seized by Europe and the United States. Both the European Union and the US seized Russian assets worth $300 billion in 2022 following Moscow’s decision to invade Ukraine.

Russia on Tuesday (Feb 13) warned the West that its response would be “very tough” if its assets were seized by Europe and the United States. Both the European Union and the US seized Russian assets worth $300 billion in 2022 following Moscow’s decision to invade Ukraine. Russia’s warning came a day after the EU adopted a law aimed at utilising windfall profits from Russian assets frozen in EU banks for rebuilding Ukraine. "This is theft: It's the appropriation of something that doesn't belong to you," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by state-backed media. She added that Russia’s response would be “very tough.” "Considering that our country has qualified this as theft, the attitude will be towards thieves," Zakharova said. "Not as political manipulators, not as overplayed technologists, but as thieves," she added. Moscow maintains that it would also seize American and European assets in a tit-for-tat move. EU’s new law Russia’s response came after the EU on Monday passed the law aimed at funding Ukraine’s rebuilding using Russian assets. The EU, along with G7 nations have been debating for over a year how the Russian assets should be used to help Ukraine. Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: What hope for Ukraine if US military aid dries up? × The US even floated the idea of confiscating the $300 billion assets altogether, a move deemed too risky by the EU officials. Who holds Russian assets in Europe? The majority of the assets are held by Belgium's clearing house Euroclear. The law passed on Monday means central securities depositories (CSDs), such as Euroclear, will be prohibited from using net profits and must keep revenues from the Russian assets separate. The law would apply to all financial institutions holding Russian assets worth more than $1.1 million. Also read: EU to channel frozen Russian assets for Ukraine`s reconstruction: Report As per estimates, a whopping $16 billion in profits could be extracted from Russian assets by using the new law. Ukraine welcomed the EU’s move. "We encourage further steps to enable their practical use for Ukraine's benefit. These steps must be ambitious and prompt," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on X. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia vows ‘very tough’ response over West’s ‘theft’ of its seized assets

The European Union could soon have less stringent fiscal rules in place, which may significantly help member countries that are dealing with rising debt levels. The preliminary deal struck by EU lawmakers will provide more time to member countries to fight rising debt levels. Many argue it could also incentivise public investments in climate, industrial policy and security.

New rules could help countries dealing with rising debt levels

The United States, the European Union and Britain on Friday (Feb 9) separately expressed concerns over Pakistan's electoral process&nbsp;in the wake of voting which took place on Thursday (Feb 8) and appealed for an investigation into reported irregularities. 
 
The election results still remains&nbsp;indecisive as both, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party and ex-prime minister Imran Khan declared victory. 
 
The elections were held on&nbsp;265&nbsp;national assembly seats, and to gain simple majority to form the government a party has&nbsp;to secure&nbsp;133 seats.

Till now, of 250 seats officially announced, Independents have 99 seats, PMLN has 71, PPP 53, MQM 17, PMLQ 3, IPP 2, JUI 2, MWM 1, BNP 1 and PMLZ has 1 seat and the&nbsp;results of 15 seats are awaited.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-nawaz-sharif-hints-at-improving-ties-with-india-as-poll-results-drag-on-688825">Pakistan elections: Nawaz Sharif hints at improving ties with India as poll results drag on</a> 
 
The United States and the European Union both made statements regarding allegations of interference, which included arrests of activists and said that claims of interference, fraud and irregularities should be fully investigated.

<h2 lang="en-US">US says 'undue restrictions&nbsp;on freedom&nbsp;of expression" during&nbsp;polls</h2>

The US State Department said Pakistan faced "undue restrictions&nbsp;on freedoms of expression" during the&nbsp; polls and also spoke about violence and attacks on media workers. 
 
"We join credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. We condemn electoral violence, restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including attacks on media workers, and restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunication services, and are concerned about allegations of interference in the electoral process. Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated," said the United States, in a statement. 
 
The EU, in a statement, emphasised a "lack of a level playing field", and attributed it to "the inability of some political actors to contest the elections" and also emphasised restrictions imposed on freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and internet access.

Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan Election Result 2024: Nawaz Sharif invites rivals for coalition government

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The UN human rights office, earlier this week, denounced violence against candidates and political parties. It also raised concern over the "pattern of harassment, arrests and prolonged detentions of leaders and supporters" of Khan's party. 
 
The United States, European Union and Britain said that they are willing to work with Pakistan's next government and did not congratulate any party or candidate. 
 
In a statement, British Foreign Minister David Cameron noted "serious concerns raised about the fairness and lack of inclusivity of the elections." 
 
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been facing multiple legal cases because of which he was disqualified as a candidate and sentenced to long prison terms.

<h2 lang="en-US">Pakistan retorts back</h2>

Reacting to the statements, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said,&nbsp;"We have taken note of statements from certain countries and organizations on the general elections held in Pakistan on 8 February 2024. We are surprised by the negative tone of some of these statements, which neither take into account the complexity of the electoral process, nor acknowledge the free and enthusiastic exercise of the right to vote by tens of millions of Pakistanis."

"These statements ignore the undeniable fact that Pakistan has held general elections, peacefully and successfully, while dealing with serious security threats resulting primarily from foreign-sponsored terrorism.&nbsp;Some statements are not even factual. There was no nationwide internet shutdown. Only mobile services were suspended for the day to avoid terrorist incidents on the polling day. The elections exercise has demonstrated that the concerns of many commentators were misplaced," it added.

"Pakistan held the elections as part of its commitment to building a stable and democratic society. While we value constructive advice from our friends, making negative commentary even before the completion of the electoral process is neither constructive nor objective. Pakistan will continue to work towards building a vibrant democratic polity. Every election and peaceful transition of power brings us closer to that goal. We do this not on account of the concerns expressed by others but because that is the aspiration of our people and the vision of our founding fathers," the ministry stated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States, the European Union and Britain on Friday (Feb 9) separately expressed concerns over Pakistan's electoral process in the wake of voting which took place on Thursday (Feb 8) and appealed for an investigation into reported irregularities.

The United States, the European Union and Britain on Friday (Feb 9) separately expressed concerns over Pakistan's electoral process in the wake of voting which took place on Thursday (Feb 8) and appealed for an investigation into reported irregularities. The election results still remains indecisive as both, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's party and ex-prime minister Imran Khan declared victory. The elections were held on 265 national assembly seats, and to gain simple majority to form the government a party has to secure 133 seats. Till now, of 250 seats officially announced, Independents have 99 seats, PMLN has 71, PPP 53, MQM 17, PMLQ 3, IPP 2, JUI 2, MWM 1, BNP 1 and PMLZ has 1 seat and the results of 15 seats are awaited. Also Read: Pakistan elections: Nawaz Sharif hints at improving ties with India as poll results drag on The United States and the European Union both made statements regarding allegations of interference, which included arrests of activists and said that claims of interference, fraud and irregularities should be fully investigated. US says 'undue restrictions on freedom of expression" during polls The US State Department said Pakistan faced "undue restrictions on freedoms of expression" during the polls and also spoke about violence and attacks on media workers. "We join credible international and local election observers in their assessment that these elections included undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. We condemn electoral violence, restrictions on the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including attacks on media workers, and restrictions on access to the Internet and telecommunication services, and are concerned about allegations of interference in the electoral process. Claims of interference or fraud should be fully investigated," said the United States, in a statement. The EU, in a statement, emphasised a "lack of a level playing field", and attributed it to "the inability of some political actors to contest the elections" and also emphasised restrictions imposed on freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and internet access. Watch: Pakistan Election Result 2024: Nawaz Sharif invites rivals for coalition government The UN human rights office, earlier this week, denounced violence against candidates and political parties. It also raised concern over the "pattern of harassment, arrests and prolonged detentions of leaders and supporters" of Khan's party. The United States, European Union and Britain said that they are willing to work with Pakistan's next government and did not congratulate any party or candidate. In a statement, British Foreign Minister David Cameron noted "serious concerns raised about the fairness and lack of inclusivity of the elections." Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been facing multiple legal cases because of which he was disqualified as a candidate and sentenced to long prison terms. Pakistan retorts back Reacting to the statements, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "We have taken note of statements from certain countries and organizations on the general elections held in Pakistan on 8 February 2024. We are surprised by the negative tone of some of these statements, which neither take into account the complexity of the electoral process, nor acknowledge the free and enthusiastic exercise of the right to vote by tens of millions of Pakistanis." "These statements ignore the undeniable fact that Pakistan has held general elections, peacefully and successfully, while dealing with serious security threats resulting primarily from foreign-sponsored terrorism. Some statements are not even factual. There was no nationwide internet shutdown. Only mobile services were suspended for the day to avoid terrorist incidents on the polling day. The elections exercise has demonstrated that the concerns of many commentators were misplaced," it added. "Pakistan held the elections as part of its commitment to building a stable and democratic society. While we value constructive advice from our friends, making negative commentary even before the completion of the electoral process is neither constructive nor objective. Pakistan will continue to work towards building a vibrant democratic polity. Every election and peaceful transition of power brings us closer to that goal. We do this not on account of the concerns expressed by others but because that is the aspiration of our people and the vision of our founding fathers," the ministry stated. (With inputs from agencies)

US, EU, UK express concern over irregularities in Pakistan elections, urge for probe

The first-ever European Union (EU)-India Track 1.5 dialogue on countering the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by extremists and non-state actors will take place in New Delhi tomorrow.

New Delhi hosts India-EU roundtable on countering terrorist exploitation of drones

<div class="WordSection1">
At the start of 2024, Europeans are of course deeply concerned by the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and by the conflict that has broken out again in the Middle East. However, we are not forgetting the broader picture: the centre of gravity of the world’s economy has shifted to the Indo-Pacific region, with close to 50 per cent of the world’s GDP and 60 per cent of the world’s population.

Peace and stability in this region are crucial for Europe and the world.

In recent years, the EU has worked steadily to improve its cooperation with the region, in particular by becoming in 2020 a strategic partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), launching its Indo-Pacific strategy in 2021, holding a successful EU- ASEAN Summit in 2022 and adopting the Samoa Agreement with Pacific countries in 2023. We will accelerate the path in 2024.

The economic links between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region have reached an impressive level, unimaginable 40 years ago. Maritime routes in the region have become the arteries of the world: every day 2000 ships transport goods across the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea to Europe and back.

However, the security environment is deteriorating. Major tensions are rising, from the South China Sea to the Taiwan Strait, the Korean peninsula, and the Red Sea. There is less trust among the main global and regional players; less respect for international law and multilateral agreements; force and coercion are on the rise. We are at risk of going back to a world where "might makes right".

The EU intends to counter this trend. Multilateral solutions and regional approaches are in our DNA and we will always defend international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the non-proliferation regime. To defend the rules-based world order, we want to cooperate more closely with our partners committed to multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific region.

The EU maintains regular security and defence dialogues with China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and other nations. However, our cooperation increasingly extends beyond dialogue to concrete and operational activities.

Under our Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, security cooperation is also becoming more and more a major component. We are participating with members of ASEAN in regional navy exercises and the navies of our Asian partners are cooperating with us in Operation Atalanta, near the Horn of Africa. These are good examples of what we can do together.

To go further, we propose to use our member states’ advanced capabilities to become a “smart security enabler,” helping to build the capacities of our partners in the region on maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and foreign information manipulation and interference.

We need each other to help stabilise this world. The challenges we are facing do not allow us any other way than to cooperate closely to help avoid conflicts and ensure respect for international law. To protect freedom of navigation, EU member states are already increasing their deployments between the EU and the Indo-Pacific. The region can count on us as a reliable partner.

On the economic side, Russia's aggression against Ukraine has shown us the high cost of the EU’s excessive dependency on Russian gas. We are therefore focusing on improving the EU’s economic security by reducing this type of excessive dependency. However, this does not mean closing our borders. On the contrary, it should lead to developing our economic ties with many countries in the Indo-Pacific region, to de-risk our economy and diversify our supply chains.

In this context, the EU has recently signed a free trade agreement with New Zealand and negotiations are ongoing with India, Indonesia, and Thailand. We are engaging also with Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and India to ensure stable and diversified supply chains in the field of digital technologies and have proposed to our Indo-Pacific partners to work together on the sustainable extraction and processing of critical raw materials, necessary for the green and digital transitions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-agriculture-commissioner-wojciechowski-upbeat-on-india-eu-fta-lauds-indian-farmers-667891">EU Agriculture Commissioner Wojciechowski upbeat on India-EU FTA, lauds Indian farmers</a>

The EU wants also to cooperate more actively with Indo-Pacific countries towards a green and sustainable future. The Green-Blue Alliance with the Pacific islands is helping strengthen their climate resilience. Together with our G7 partners, we have also agreed to Just Energy Transition Partnerships with South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam and the European Investment Bank is already investing €500 million ($540mn) to accelerate Vietnam’s green transition in a way that benefits both people and the planet.

Also watch |&nbsp;FTA agreement would need a paradigm shift: EU Lawmaker | World News | WION

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In short, we are well aware of the crucial importance of the EU’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. We are demonstrating it with a Pacific Day in the European Parliament on&nbsp;February 1, highlighting our burgeoning cooperation with our Pacific island partners. The next day, our third Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum will bring together Foreign Ministers from the region and the EU. We will then hold our biennial EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting.

In a world of geopolitical turbulence and great power rivalry, these three high-level meetings illustrate the strong and shared interest that the EU and the Indo-Pacific countries have to cooperate more closely in improving their security, prosperity, and resilience.

Josep Borrell Fontelles is&nbsp;High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)
</div>

At the start of 2024, Europeans are of course deeply concerned by the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and by the conflict that has broken out again in the Middle East.

At the start of 2024, Europeans are of course deeply concerned by the ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and by the conflict that has broken out again in the Middle East. However, we are not forgetting the broader picture: the centre of gravity of the world’s economy has shifted to the Indo-Pacific region, with close to 50 per cent of the world’s GDP and 60 per cent of the world’s population. Peace and stability in this region are crucial for Europe and the world. In recent years, the EU has worked steadily to improve its cooperation with the region, in particular by becoming in 2020 a strategic partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), launching its Indo-Pacific strategy in 2021, holding a successful EU- ASEAN Summit in 2022 and adopting the Samoa Agreement with Pacific countries in 2023. We will accelerate the path in 2024. The economic links between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region have reached an impressive level, unimaginable 40 years ago. Maritime routes in the region have become the arteries of the world: every day 2000 ships transport goods across the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea to Europe and back. However, the security environment is deteriorating. Major tensions are rising, from the South China Sea to the Taiwan Strait, the Korean peninsula, and the Red Sea. There is less trust among the main global and regional players; less respect for international law and multilateral agreements; force and coercion are on the rise. We are at risk of going back to a world where "might makes right". The EU intends to counter this trend. Multilateral solutions and regional approaches are in our DNA and we will always defend international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the non-proliferation regime. To defend the rules-based world order, we want to cooperate more closely with our partners committed to multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific region. The EU maintains regular security and defence dialogues with China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and other nations. However, our cooperation increasingly extends beyond dialogue to concrete and operational activities. Under our Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, security cooperation is also becoming more and more a major component. We are participating with members of ASEAN in regional navy exercises and the navies of our Asian partners are cooperating with us in Operation Atalanta, near the Horn of Africa. These are good examples of what we can do together. To go further, we propose to use our member states’ advanced capabilities to become a “smart security enabler,” helping to build the capacities of our partners in the region on maritime security, cybersecurity, counter-terrorism, and foreign information manipulation and interference. We need each other to help stabilise this world. The challenges we are facing do not allow us any other way than to cooperate closely to help avoid conflicts and ensure respect for international law. To protect freedom of navigation, EU member states are already increasing their deployments between the EU and the Indo-Pacific. The region can count on us as a reliable partner. On the economic side, Russia's aggression against Ukraine has shown us the high cost of the EU’s excessive dependency on Russian gas. We are therefore focusing on improving the EU’s economic security by reducing this type of excessive dependency. However, this does not mean closing our borders. On the contrary, it should lead to developing our economic ties with many countries in the Indo-Pacific region, to de-risk our economy and diversify our supply chains. In this context, the EU has recently signed a free trade agreement with New Zealand and negotiations are ongoing with India, Indonesia, and Thailand. We are engaging also with Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and India to ensure stable and diversified supply chains in the field of digital technologies and have proposed to our Indo-Pacific partners to work together on the sustainable extraction and processing of critical raw materials, necessary for the green and digital transitions. Also read | EU Agriculture Commissioner Wojciechowski upbeat on India-EU FTA, lauds Indian farmers The EU wants also to cooperate more actively with Indo-Pacific countries towards a green and sustainable future. The Green-Blue Alliance with the Pacific islands is helping strengthen their climate resilience. Together with our G7 partners, we have also agreed to Just Energy Transition Partnerships with South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam and the European Investment Bank is already investing €500 million ($540mn) to accelerate Vietnam’s green transition in a way that benefits both people and the planet. Also watch | FTA agreement would need a paradigm shift: EU Lawmaker | World News | WION × In short, we are well aware of the crucial importance of the EU’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. We are demonstrating it with a Pacific Day in the European Parliament on February 1, highlighting our burgeoning cooperation with our Pacific island partners. The next day, our third Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum will bring together Foreign Ministers from the region and the EU. We will then hold our biennial EU-ASEAN ministerial meeting. In a world of geopolitical turbulence and great power rivalry, these three high-level meetings illustrate the strong and shared interest that the EU and the Indo-Pacific countries have to cooperate more closely in improving their security, prosperity, and resilience. Josep Borrell Fontelles is High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

The EU and the Indo-Pacific: Partners for a more stable and prosperous world

The European Union are meeting again to finalise a $50 billion aid package for Ukraine. But Hungary is apprehensive, having vetoed the move once. Will it block the aid again?

European Union leaders to meet in Brussels | Will Hungary block $50 bn Kyiv aid again?

European Union leaders are set to meet in Brussels on Thursday to agree on granting Ukraine more financial aid. However ahead of the meeting, a senior EU official has said that the talks remain difficult despite Hungary signalling its Readiness for a compromise.

European Union to grant more financial aid to Ukraine?

The European Union inched forward with its plans to de-risk its relationship with China on Wednesday, but the most controversial elements have been tempered amid resistance from member states.

EU tools up to protect key tech from China, slows down de-risking plans

To comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Union (EU), Meta announced on Monday that users will be able to unlink their Instagram and Facebook accounts, as well as other services.

Meta to let EU users unlink their Instagram, FB and Messenger accounts

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), European Union's climate monitoring arm, said on Tuesday (January 9) that 2023 was the hottest year ever on record. The deputy head of C3S even said that the temperatures in 2023 'likely' exceeded those in last 100,000 years.

"It is also the first year with all days over one degree warmer than the pre-industrial period," said Samantha Burgess, deputy head of the C3S.&nbsp;

"Temperatures during 2023 likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years."

With this, it has been observed that Earth's surface almost crossed 1.5 degree Celsius level above those in pre-industrial times.

The 1.5C level is an internationally agreed critical level within which, it is essential to contain Global Warming.

Watch | Climate change: Impact on South Asia in 2023

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The year 2023 witnessed catastrophic events like massive wildfires in Canada, extreme droughts in Africa, summer heatwaves in Europe and record increase in winter temperatures in Australia and South America.

AFP quoted an expert who warned that such events will continue to occur if we do not transition from fossil fuels and reach net zero emissions.

"We will continue to suffer the consequences of our inactions today for generations," said Ed Hawkins, a professor from University of Reading.

The findings from the Copernicus service have been released a month after COP28 Summit agreement in Dubai. The agreement called for gradual shift away from fossil fuels, the main contributors to global carbon emissions.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/first-polar-bear-death-from-bird-flu-raises-concerns-for-extant-species-678191">First polar bear death from bird flu raises concerns for species already battling climate change</a>

Humanity has had reliable weather records from the middle of the 19th century. But intensive study of the weather before this has been made with the help of tree rings, sediment deposition and ice cores etc. Burgess leaned on this when she said that temperatures in 2023 "exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years"

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/climate-change-causes-dry-spell-in-kashmir-winter-wonderland-gulmarg-struggles-with-no-snow-678250">Climate change causes dry spell in Kashmir: Winter wonderland Gulmarg struggles with no snow</a>

The year 2023 witnessed record breaking temperature across the world. The year was second-warmest on record in Europe. El Nino, the weather phenomenon that has warming effect on oceans and global weather, also began last year.

Oceans absorb&nbsp;90 per cent of the excess heat produced by human activities. Rising temperatures affect the aquatic life and even increase intensity of storms.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), European Union's climate monitoring arm, said on Tuesday (January 9) that 2023 was the hottest year ever on record. The deputy head of C3S even said that the temperatures in 2023 'likely' exceeded those in last 100,000 years.

The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), European Union's climate monitoring arm, said on Tuesday (January 9) that 2023 was the hottest year ever on record. The deputy head of C3S even said that the temperatures in 2023 'likely' exceeded those in last 100,000 years. "It is also the first year with all days over one degree warmer than the pre-industrial period," said Samantha Burgess, deputy head of the C3S. "Temperatures during 2023 likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years." With this, it has been observed that Earth's surface almost crossed 1.5 degree Celsius level above those in pre-industrial times. The 1.5C level is an internationally agreed critical level within which, it is essential to contain Global Warming. Watch | Climate change: Impact on South Asia in 2023 × The year 2023 witnessed catastrophic events like massive wildfires in Canada, extreme droughts in Africa, summer heatwaves in Europe and record increase in winter temperatures in Australia and South America. AFP quoted an expert who warned that such events will continue to occur if we do not transition from fossil fuels and reach net zero emissions. "We will continue to suffer the consequences of our inactions today for generations," said Ed Hawkins, a professor from University of Reading. The findings from the Copernicus service have been released a month after COP28 Summit agreement in Dubai. The agreement called for gradual shift away from fossil fuels, the main contributors to global carbon emissions. Also Read | First polar bear death from bird flu raises concerns for species already battling climate change Humanity has had reliable weather records from the middle of the 19th century. But intensive study of the weather before this has been made with the help of tree rings, sediment deposition and ice cores etc. Burgess leaned on this when she said that temperatures in 2023 "exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years" Also Read | Climate change causes dry spell in Kashmir: Winter wonderland Gulmarg struggles with no snow The year 2023 witnessed record breaking temperature across the world. The year was second-warmest on record in Europe. El Nino, the weather phenomenon that has warming effect on oceans and global weather, also began last year. Oceans absorb 90 per cent of the excess heat produced by human activities. Rising temperatures affect the aquatic life and even increase intensity of storms. (With inputs from agencies)

2023 was hottest on record, temperatures exceeded those in ‘last 100,000 years’: EU body

As the world welcomed 2024, another significant milestone in economic history completed 25 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The euro, the common currency of the 20-member euro zone, was first launched on New Year's Day in 1999.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For the first three years of its existence, between January 1999 and December 2001, the euro remained 'invisible'. 'Invisible' here means it was mainly used for accounting purposes and to make electronic payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

On January 1, 2002, the physical form of euro in the form of coins and notes entered the Euro Zone market.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It was the first time in history that several countries had come together to form a monetary union.&nbsp;Overnight, historical currencies like the franc and the deutsche mark became history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The currencies did disappear overnight, but the process behind its introduction is a story for the ages.&nbsp;

How the war necessitated the union&nbsp;&nbsp;

Europe had been the battleground for numerous wars for many centuries, culminating in the Second World War.&nbsp;

The six-year-long war devastated the European economy and divided the continent into the US and Soviet spheres of influence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While the Soviet-aligned parts of Europe remained under the 'Iron Curtain', the idea of closer political and economic union gained currency in the US-aligned Western Europe. The idea was to integrate the economies to disincentivises future conflicts on the continent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A proto economic union began to take shape in the early 1950s - the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC aimed to provide a common market for Western European coal and steel industries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

France and (West) Germany, the biggest economies on the mainland, held the key to the success of any common market in Europe.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In fact, the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation for the common market, noted: "Solidarity in production will make any war between France and Germany not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible."&nbsp;

The proto ‘European Union’&nbsp;

Fast forward to March 1957, and the six member countries of the ECSC transitioned into the European Economic Community - a common customs union to boost trade.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The six initial members were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Netherlands. Six other countries, including the United Kingdom, joined it later.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The common customs union and transnational market of the late 1950s and 1960s paved the way for the European Union in 1993. But the path leading to a single market, over-riding national identities, wasn't so easy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

France's then-President Charles De Gaulle, while supportive of a common market, was opposed to the inherent supranational idea of a larger political and economic integration of the continent.&nbsp;&nbsp;

His support to a common market remained as long as it helped French interests. The French war hero was also opposed to the entry of the UK, further complicating European unification.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A common market theoretically helps in better trade, but the often-differing economic structures of individual member-states played spoilsport. This also meant that each member-state had its own fiscal and monetary policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A 1992 article on the EU’s predecessor encapsulated its actual impact: “Most studies conclude that the European Community is a trade-creating customs union. But the benefits are surprisingly small, typically less than 1 percent of national income.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Enter Delors – ‘The father of the Euro’&nbsp;

A big realization hit European policymakers in the mid-1980s – a common market was incomplete without a common fiscal and monetary policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It was at this point of time that Jacques Delors, then-President of the European Commission, entered the picture.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Frenchman headed a committee to study the feasibility of complementing the single market with a single currency. During his chairmanship, he realised that fiscal policy coordination were too weak for a monetary union.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Despite the odds, Delors went ahead with the recommendations that paved the way for the Maastricht Treaty, which laid the foundation for a common currency and a common central bank – the European Central Bank.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Euro, as a common currency, was touted as a solution to encourage more trade and investment. Reason: a common would shelter businesses from exchange rate shocks, cut transaction costs and bring price stability to member-states.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One early estimate suggested that a common currency would help achieve savings equal to one per cent of the European Community’s Gross National Product.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Aftermath&nbsp;

So, has the euro project succeeded? Yes, to a large extent. But the currency has had to deal with its own share of problems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The euro has given the continent an international profile, as over 300 million people use the currency. It is also the second-biggest foreign currency in the global trade basket after the US dollar.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Greater monetary congruence and enhanced trade environment has helped Europe punch&nbsp;above its weight on the global stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a joint column with Presidents of the European Commission, Council, Parliament and Eurogroup, ECB chief Christine Lagarde noted:&nbsp;

“Issuing the world's second most important currency has given us greater sovereignty in a turbulent world.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

At the onset of the 2007-08 global financial crisis, the European Union’s economy – the euro zone constitutes a large part of it – was more or less equal to that of the United States’.&nbsp;&nbsp;

But in 2023, the EU is just about two-thirds of the US economy, having stagnated for a decade now. A lot of it has to do with the debt burden of the late 2000s, which triggered a slowdown in a few member-countries.&nbsp;

Supporters of the euro blamed the crisis on the lack of total integration than on the pitfalls of adopting a common currency.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“It was the failure to follow through in all areas with the formula that had worked in those (banking supervision and fiscal coordination) areas,” argued ex-ECB chief Mario Draghi in September 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;

However, many like former US Fed chairman Alan Greenspan doubted the feasibility of the euro project. But the currency has withered challenges and continues to tell its tale of resilience.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As the world welcomed 2024, another significant milestone in economic history completed 25 years. The euro, the common currency of the 20-member euro zone, was first launched on New Year's Day in 1999.

As the world welcomed 2024, another significant milestone in economic history completed 25 years. The euro, the common currency of the 20-member euro zone, was first launched on New Year's Day in 1999. For the first three years of its existence, between January 1999 and December 2001, the euro remained 'invisible'. 'Invisible' here means it was mainly used for accounting purposes and to make electronic payments. On January 1, 2002, the physical form of euro in the form of coins and notes entered the Euro Zone market. It was the first time in history that several countries had come together to form a monetary union. Overnight, historical currencies like the franc and the deutsche mark became history. The currencies did disappear overnight, but the process behind its introduction is a story for the ages. How the war necessitated the union Europe had been the battleground for numerous wars for many centuries, culminating in the Second World War. The six-year-long war devastated the European economy and divided the continent into the US and Soviet spheres of influence. While the Soviet-aligned parts of Europe remained under the 'Iron Curtain', the idea of closer political and economic union gained currency in the US-aligned Western Europe. The idea was to integrate the economies to disincentivises future conflicts on the continent. A proto economic union began to take shape in the early 1950s - the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC aimed to provide a common market for Western European coal and steel industries. France and (West) Germany, the biggest economies on the mainland, held the key to the success of any common market in Europe. In fact, the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundation for the common market, noted: "Solidarity in production will make any war between France and Germany not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible." The proto ‘European Union’ Fast forward to March 1957, and the six member countries of the ECSC transitioned into the European Economic Community - a common customs union to boost trade. The six initial members were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Netherlands. Six other countries, including the United Kingdom, joined it later. The common customs union and transnational market of the late 1950s and 1960s paved the way for the European Union in 1993. But the path leading to a single market, over-riding national identities, wasn't so easy. France's then-President Charles De Gaulle, while supportive of a common market, was opposed to the inherent supranational idea of a larger political and economic integration of the continent. His support to a common market remained as long as it helped French interests. The French war hero was also opposed to the entry of the UK, further complicating European unification. A common market theoretically helps in better trade, but the often-differing economic structures of individual member-states played spoilsport. This also meant that each member-state had its own fiscal and monetary policy. A 1992 article on the EU’s predecessor encapsulated its actual impact: “Most studies conclude that the European Community is a trade-creating customs union. But the benefits are surprisingly small, typically less than 1 percent of national income.” Enter Delors – ‘The father of the Euro’ A big realization hit European policymakers in the mid-1980s – a common market was incomplete without a common fiscal and monetary policy. It was at this point of time that Jacques Delors, then-President of the European Commission, entered the picture. The Frenchman headed a committee to study the feasibility of complementing the single market with a single currency. During his chairmanship, he realised that fiscal policy coordination were too weak for a monetary union. Despite the odds, Delors went ahead with the recommendations that paved the way for the Maastricht Treaty, which laid the foundation for a common currency and a common central bank – the European Central Bank. Euro, as a common currency, was touted as a solution to encourage more trade and investment. Reason: a common would shelter businesses from exchange rate shocks, cut transaction costs and bring price stability to member-states. One early estimate suggested that a common currency would help achieve savings equal to one per cent of the European Community’s Gross National Product. Aftermath So, has the euro project succeeded? Yes, to a large extent. But the currency has had to deal with its own share of problems. The euro has given the continent an international profile, as over 300 million people use the currency. It is also the second-biggest foreign currency in the global trade basket after the US dollar. Greater monetary congruence and enhanced trade environment has helped Europe punch above its weight on the global stage. In a joint column with Presidents of the European Commission, Council, Parliament and Eurogroup, ECB chief Christine Lagarde noted: “Issuing the world's second most important currency has given us greater sovereignty in a turbulent world.” At the onset of the 2007-08 global financial crisis, the European Union’s economy – the euro zone constitutes a large part of it – was more or less equal to that of the United States’. But in 2023, the EU is just about two-thirds of the US economy, having stagnated for a decade now. A lot of it has to do with the debt burden of the late 2000s, which triggered a slowdown in a few member-countries. Supporters of the euro blamed the crisis on the lack of total integration than on the pitfalls of adopting a common currency. “It was the failure to follow through in all areas with the formula that had worked in those (banking supervision and fiscal coordination) areas,” argued ex-ECB chief Mario Draghi in September 2018. However, many like former US Fed chairman Alan Greenspan doubted the feasibility of the euro project. But the currency has withered challenges and continues to tell its tale of resilience.

Flashback Friday: How the euro emerged out of Europe’s quest for greater integration 

Jacques Delors, a former head of the EU Commission and key figure in the creation of the euro currency, has died, his daughter Martine Aubry told AFP on Wednesday.

Delors, who was 98, died in his sleep in his Paris home on Wednesday, she said.

Delors, a Socialist, had a high-profile political career in France, where he served as finance minister under president Francois Mitterrand from 1981 to 1984.

But he declined to run for president in 1995 despite being overwhelmingly ahead in the polls, a decision he put down to "a desire for independence that was too great".&nbsp;

"I have no regrets," he said about that decision later. "But I'm not saying I was right."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-liquidates-all-public-media-ahead-of-restructuring-674153">Poland liquidates all public media ahead of restructuring</a>

He headed up the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, a decade that saw major steps in the bloc's integration.

These included the completion of the common market, the Schengen accords for travel, the Erasmus programme for student exchanges and the creation of the bloc's single currency, the euro.

<h2>- 'Quite a life' -</h2>

His drive for increased integration met with resistance in some member countries, especially Britain under prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

"Up Yours Delors" read a famous 1990 front-page headline in The Sun newspaper which voiced its concerns about a single currency and increased powers for the European Parliament.&nbsp;

Alastair Campbell, a former campaign director for ex-British prime minister Tony Blair, said on X, formerly Twitter, that his "favourite Delors-ism" had been: "Don't be a pessimist. Or an optimist. Be an activist."&nbsp;

"RIP Jacques Delors. Quite a life," Campbell said.&nbsp;

Delors founded think tanks with the aim of furthering European federalism even after he left office, and in recent years warned of the dangers of populism in Europe, also calling for "audacity" in dealing with the Brexit fallout.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-delhi-reports-first-case-of-covid-19-sub-variant-jn1-minister-says-no-need-to-panic-674110">New Delhi reports first case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, minister says ‘no need to panic’</a>

He also urged more solidarity among EU members during the coronavirus pandemic.

<h2>- 'Statesman with French destiny' -</h2>

French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called Delors "a tireless creator of our Europe".

Posting on X, Macron said that "his commitment, his ideal and his rectitude will always inspire us".

Delors was "a statesman with a French destiny", Macron said.

French Socialist party chief Olivier Faure said that "a giant has left us".

Calling Delors "a child of the century" who had "experienced the worst", Faure said he had sought to "overcome tragedy by building a durable peace".

Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard-left France Unbowed party, said Delors was "a Socialist of a generation that had an ideal".

On X, Melenchon called Delors "a man of action who always thought of the common good".&nbsp;

Centrist Francois Bayrou said that for him "and for an entire generation of my political family and thought, he was a reference like no other".

Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said Delors was a "great Frenchman and a great European" who had "entered history as one of the builders of our Europe".

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-foreign-minister-jaishankar-meets-russian-president-vladimir-putin-in-moscow-674123">Putin discusses trade, Ukraine war with Jaishankar, invites 'friend' PM Modi to Russia</a>

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde highlighted Delors's role for the single European market and "the path he laid out towards our single currency, the euro".

Europe, she said, "has lost a true statesman".

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said Delors had fought for European unity "like few others".

Calling Delors a visionary, Scholz said "it is our responsibility to continue his work for the benefit of Europe".

Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission president, said Delors had "shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine".

Jacques Delors, a former head of the EU Commission and key figure in the creation of the euro currency, has died, his daughter Martine Aubry told AFP on Wednesday.

Jacques Delors, a former head of the EU Commission and key figure in the creation of the euro currency, has died, his daughter Martine Aubry told AFP on Wednesday. Delors, who was 98, died in his sleep in his Paris home on Wednesday, she said. Delors, a Socialist, had a high-profile political career in France, where he served as finance minister under president Francois Mitterrand from 1981 to 1984. But he declined to run for president in 1995 despite being overwhelmingly ahead in the polls, a decision he put down to "a desire for independence that was too great". "I have no regrets," he said about that decision later. "But I'm not saying I was right." ALSO READ | Poland liquidates all public media ahead of restructuring He headed up the European Commission from 1985 to 1995, a decade that saw major steps in the bloc's integration. These included the completion of the common market, the Schengen accords for travel, the Erasmus programme for student exchanges and the creation of the bloc's single currency, the euro. - 'Quite a life' - His drive for increased integration met with resistance in some member countries, especially Britain under prime minister Margaret Thatcher. "Up Yours Delors" read a famous 1990 front-page headline in The Sun newspaper which voiced its concerns about a single currency and increased powers for the European Parliament. Alastair Campbell, a former campaign director for ex-British prime minister Tony Blair, said on X, formerly Twitter, that his "favourite Delors-ism" had been: "Don't be a pessimist. Or an optimist. Be an activist." "RIP Jacques Delors. Quite a life," Campbell said. Delors founded think tanks with the aim of furthering European federalism even after he left office, and in recent years warned of the dangers of populism in Europe, also calling for "audacity" in dealing with the Brexit fallout. ALSO READ | New Delhi reports first case of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1, minister says ‘no need to panic’ He also urged more solidarity among EU members during the coronavirus pandemic. - 'Statesman with French destiny' - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called Delors "a tireless creator of our Europe". Posting on X, Macron said that "his commitment, his ideal and his rectitude will always inspire us". Delors was "a statesman with a French destiny", Macron said. French Socialist party chief Olivier Faure said that "a giant has left us". Calling Delors "a child of the century" who had "experienced the worst", Faure said he had sought to "overcome tragedy by building a durable peace". Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the hard-left France Unbowed party, said Delors was "a Socialist of a generation that had an ideal". On X, Melenchon called Delors "a man of action who always thought of the common good". Centrist Francois Bayrou said that for him "and for an entire generation of my political family and thought, he was a reference like no other". Charles Michel, president of the European Council, said Delors was a "great Frenchman and a great European" who had "entered history as one of the builders of our Europe". ALSO READ | Putin discusses trade, Ukraine war with Jaishankar, invites 'friend' PM Modi to Russia European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde highlighted Delors's role for the single European market and "the path he laid out towards our single currency, the euro". Europe, she said, "has lost a true statesman". German chancellor Olaf Scholz said Delors had fought for European unity "like few others". Calling Delors a visionary, Scholz said "it is our responsibility to continue his work for the benefit of Europe". Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission president, said Delors had "shaped entire generations of Europeans, including mine".

Former EU Commission president Jacques Delors dies at 98

The European Union countries on Wednesday (Dec 20) reached an agreement on a new set of rules to manage asylum requests what are being called the 'irregular' migrants. Countries in the bloc have hailed the move, some calling it historic and a great success, with Hungary being a voice of dissent. In any case, The New Pact on Migration and Asylum is broadly being taken to be greater willingness within the European Union to tackle the issue of migrants, many of whom cross the Mediterranean Sea in overcrowded boats, which often are not adequately seaworthy.

<h2>The refugee and migrant crisis</h2>

As defined by the United Nations, a refugee is a person who has been 'forced to flee' own country due to 'persecution, war or violence'.

"A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries, says the UN.

A migrant is someone who 'chooses to move...mainly to improve their lives through work opportunities, education, family reunification or other reasons'.

Europe faced a huge influx of refugees around 2015 as war in Syria raged. By 2022 end, Europe hosted 1 in 3 refugees in the world (36 per cent).

The number rose from 7 million by the end of 2021 to 12.4 million by the end of 2022.&nbsp;

War in Ukraine has also contributed to influx of refugees in EU countries.

Additionally, the bloc has seen huge migrant influx, especially from north Africa to EU countries, mainly Italy and Greece which are on the borders of the European Union.

Statistics with the United Nations say that in 2022 alone, 159,000 people tried reaching Europe by land and sea, thousands of them perished en-route.

The flow of refugees and migrants reached a low in the year 2020. But now has seen an uptick.

The issue has assumed political colour in Europe with right-wing politicians demanding that illegal migrants be sent back to their home countries. Several of such politicians have come to power.

Gravitas: What's causing Europe's far right surge?

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Countries on the periphery of the EU, like Italy and Greece have long been complaining that they were forced manage a disproportionate share of refugees and migrants and called for other countries in the bloc to take part in managing the situation.

<h2>The New Pact on Migration&nbsp;</h2>

On Wednesday (Dec 20) the European Union countries agreed for an overhaul of migrant and asylum-granting process in the bloc. The pact seeks to consider demands by EU periphery countries for a more equitable distribution of asylum seekers' applications.

The new system will give countries that are not at EU border two options.

One, they can take in their share of 30,000 asylum applicants.

Or, they can deposit at least 20,000 euros (USD 21,870) per asylum seeker into an EU fund.

These provisions are aimed at making countries not at EU borders take part in managing the migrant issue.

In addition to this, the pact seeks to strengthen screening process which will determine who is in genuine need of asylum and who is not. The pact seeks to create uniform rules that will identify who is from an EU country and who is from a non-EU nation.

The pact also seeks to create quicker procedures to take decisions about whether a person is to be granted asylum or he/ she is to be deported.

The pact is also aimed at creating a framework to ensure that the European Union is better prepared to tackle such a crisis should in erupt in future.

<h2>How have been the reactions?</h2>

Matteo Piantedosi, Italy's interior minister hailed the development. He said that agreement over the reforms was a "great success". He added that frontline countries like Italy would "no longer feel alone".

Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement as "historic" and "a fair and pragmatic approach to managing migration".

EU countries like France, Germany the Netherlands and Spain have also hailed the agreement.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-mp-lokkegaard-urges-political-actions-in-fta-talks-stresses-democratic-connect-671566">EU MP Løkkegaard urges ‘political actions’ in FTA talks, stresses ‘Democratic connect’</a>

Hungary however has rejected the deal. The country has been opposing having to take in irregular migrants or even pay the countries that do. Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjart said that Hungary rejects the deal in the "strongest possible terms."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-let-anyone-in-hungary-condemns-eus-new-asylum-deal-in-strongest-terms-671847">‘Won’t let anyone in,’ Hungary condemns EU’s new asylum deal in ‘strongest’ terms</a>

<h2>Rights organisations protest</h2>

Sea-Watch, the ship rescue charity said that the EU deal "will cost more lives at sea." The charity also said that the deal was "a bow to the right-wing parties of Europe".

Amnesty International has also reacted. The human rights organisation has said "likely outcome is a surge in suffering on every step of a person's journey to seek asylum in the EU"

Danish Refugee Council has said that "the EU should protect refugees -- not make it harder for them".

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Union countries on Wednesday (Dec 20) reached an agreement on a new set of rules to manage asylum requests what are being called the 'irregular' migrants.

The European Union countries on Wednesday (Dec 20) reached an agreement on a new set of rules to manage asylum requests what are being called the 'irregular' migrants. Countries in the bloc have hailed the move, some calling it historic and a great success, with Hungary being a voice of dissent. In any case, The New Pact on Migration and Asylum is broadly being taken to be greater willingness within the European Union to tackle the issue of migrants, many of whom cross the Mediterranean Sea in overcrowded boats, which often are not adequately seaworthy. The refugee and migrant crisis As defined by the United Nations, a refugee is a person who has been 'forced to flee' own country due to 'persecution, war or violence'. "A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or are afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries, says the UN. A migrant is someone who 'chooses to move...mainly to improve their lives through work opportunities, education, family reunification or other reasons'. Europe faced a huge influx of refugees around 2015 as war in Syria raged. By 2022 end, Europe hosted 1 in 3 refugees in the world (36 per cent). The number rose from 7 million by the end of 2021 to 12.4 million by the end of 2022. War in Ukraine has also contributed to influx of refugees in EU countries. Additionally, the bloc has seen huge migrant influx, especially from north Africa to EU countries, mainly Italy and Greece which are on the borders of the European Union. Statistics with the United Nations say that in 2022 alone, 159,000 people tried reaching Europe by land and sea, thousands of them perished en-route. The flow of refugees and migrants reached a low in the year 2020. But now has seen an uptick. The issue has assumed political colour in Europe with right-wing politicians demanding that illegal migrants be sent back to their home countries. Several of such politicians have come to power. Gravitas: What's causing Europe's far right surge? × Countries on the periphery of the EU, like Italy and Greece have long been complaining that they were forced manage a disproportionate share of refugees and migrants and called for other countries in the bloc to take part in managing the situation. The New Pact on Migration On Wednesday (Dec 20) the European Union countries agreed for an overhaul of migrant and asylum-granting process in the bloc. The pact seeks to consider demands by EU periphery countries for a more equitable distribution of asylum seekers' applications. The new system will give countries that are not at EU border two options. One, they can take in their share of 30,000 asylum applicants. Or, they can deposit at least 20,000 euros (USD 21,870) per asylum seeker into an EU fund. These provisions are aimed at making countries not at EU borders take part in managing the migrant issue. In addition to this, the pact seeks to strengthen screening process which will determine who is in genuine need of asylum and who is not. The pact seeks to create uniform rules that will identify who is from an EU country and who is from a non-EU nation. The pact also seeks to create quicker procedures to take decisions about whether a person is to be granted asylum or he/ she is to be deported. The pact is also aimed at creating a framework to ensure that the European Union is better prepared to tackle such a crisis should in erupt in future. How have been the reactions? Matteo Piantedosi, Italy's interior minister hailed the development. He said that agreement over the reforms was a "great success". He added that frontline countries like Italy would "no longer feel alone". Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement as "historic" and "a fair and pragmatic approach to managing migration". EU countries like France, Germany the Netherlands and Spain have also hailed the agreement. Also Read | EU MP Løkkegaard urges ‘political actions’ in FTA talks, stresses ‘Democratic connect’ Hungary however has rejected the deal. The country has been opposing having to take in irregular migrants or even pay the countries that do. Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjart said that Hungary rejects the deal in the "strongest possible terms." Also Read | ‘Won’t let anyone in,’ Hungary condemns EU’s new asylum deal in ‘strongest’ terms Rights organisations protest Sea-Watch, the ship rescue charity said that the EU deal "will cost more lives at sea." The charity also said that the deal was "a bow to the right-wing parties of Europe". Amnesty International has also reacted. The human rights organisation has said "likely outcome is a surge in suffering on every step of a person's journey to seek asylum in the EU" Danish Refugee Council has said that "the EU should protect refugees -- not make it harder for them". (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | The 'historic' new pact on migrants that EU countries finalised

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