Association of Accredited Public Policy Advocates to the European Union - europe

PETITION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

christian — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 13:22:12 +0000

The European Union appears powerless to stop the violence and the deadly conflict that has erupted in Gaza. As the Gaza death toll mounts given Europe’s role as Israel’s top trade partner and the biggest aid donor to the Palestinians, the EU should be able to exercise more influence and use its economic weight to put pressure on the belligerents.

For the record, the European Union (EU) has long been one of the most reliable foreign sources of humanitarian, economic and political aid to Palestinians , providing € 426 million in 2013 of which € 168 million was Direct Financial Support to the Palestine Authority under the so-called PEGASE-mechanism. PEGASE helps the PA to meet its recurrent expenses through paying salaries, pensions and social allowances to people in extreme poverty, and through supporting essential public services and revitalizing the private sector through policy reforms, institution-building and strengthening the relations between Palestinian enterprises and European counterparts. In addition to the direct financial support, humanitarian aid is provided through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), which spent € 35 million in 2013 on areas such as humanitarian coordination, legal assistance and emergency response to demolitions and evictions.

Every day of ineffective actions means further victims. Every single day of shameful silence causes sufferings and destruction. What else is the EU waiting for? The EU must behave as a serious political actor by calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and then lead a comprehensive peace conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There can be no excuse for the lack of an EU political initiative.

The EU should support all international and regional efforts aimed to stop the on-going violence in the Gaza Strip and in Israel. The continued firing of rockets by Palestinian militants into Israel is not acceptable, but neither is the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli army in Gaza : an estimated 70 per cent of the more than 1000 Palestinian victims are civilians, including many children – and the EU should call for an end to this military operation through the de-escalation of the conflict.

The longer we wait, the less room there is to achieve a rapid ceasefire and a final appeasement of this bloody conflict based on the two-state solution – with 1967 borders and Jerusalem as capital of both states – with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security.

The nearly 1.7 million people living in Gaza have been subjected to an inhuman siege. They are unable to leave the Gaza Strip, the entry of all goods, including food and medicine is controlled, and their only crime is to have been born in that area. If the EU is serious about defending freedom and dignity for all people throughout the world, then why it is not making its voice heard? Enough of the political pandering. The EU must act now to stop the killing of more innocent civilians, on both sides of the conflict.

Gaza is only 4 hours away from Brussels and what is happening right now is in the EU’s backyard. By turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the suffering in the West Bank and Gaza, the EU is committing a crime of silence.

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THE TWO STATE SOLUTION: THE WAY FORWARD OR UTOPIA?

christian — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 09:39:07 +0000

This article below has been co-authored by Manuel Hassassian and Raphael Cohen-Almagor. It has been edited somewhat by AALEP. His Excellency Ambassador Manuel Hassassian is the PLO ambassador to the UK. He was a consultant to UNESCO, the Palestinian Negotiating Team on Refugee Final Settlement, and Minister of State Affairs – Head of the Jerusalem File. Professor Hassassian received his PhD in Comparative Politics from University of Cincinnati, and was President of the Rectors’ Conference of the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education, and President of the Palestinian-European-American Cooperation in Education (PEACE) programme. Raphael Cohen-Almagor received his DPhil in Political Theory from Oxford University. He is Chair and Professor of Politics, Founder and Director of the Middle East Study Group, University of Hull, UK, human rights and peace activist. In 2003-2007 he was the Founding Director of the Center for Democratic Studies, University of Haifa, Israel.

Wheras:

The Palestinians aspire to have an independent state in the 1967 borders, with Arab Jerusalem as its capital and a substantial return of refugees to Israel. The Israelis wish to retain the Jewish character of Israel, being the only Jewish state in the world. Both sides wish to enjoy life of tranquility and in security, free of violence and terror. Both sides need to make painful concessions and reach a compromise.

Now therefore, both parties agree to the following:

A State of Palestine will be declared and respected. Israel shall recognise the State of Palestine. Palestine shall recognise the Jewish State of Israel. Israel and Palestine shall immediately establish full diplomatic relationships with each other, appointing ambassadors in the capital of the respective partner. Each State is free to choose its own capital; West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The border will be on the 1967 line. Having an undisputed, internationally-recognised border is the best security arrangement for both sides. Israel will agree to withdraw in principle to the Green Line, evacuating settlements and resettling settlers in other parts of the country. The major settlement blocs – Maaleh Adumim, Givat Zeev, Gush Etzion, Modiin Illit and Ariel – which account for approximately 70 per cent of the Jewish population in the West Bank and for less than four per cent of its territory, may be annexed to Israel upon reaching an agreement with the PA as part of the land swap equal in size and quality. Border adjustment must be kept to the necessary minimum and must be reciprocal. A corridor would connect the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to allow safe and free passage. As long as peace is kept, the road will be permanently open and solely Palestinian. No Israeli checkpoints will be there. Palestinians will not be able to enter Israel from this corridor, nor shall Israelis enter Palestine from the corridor. Palestine will ensure that this safe passage won’t be abused for violent purposes. Such abuse would undermine peace and trust between the two parties. The Separation Wall creates a political reality. It should run roughly along the 1967 mutually agreed borders. Both Israel and Palestine will take all necessary measures to ascertain that their citizens could live free of fear for their lives. Security is equally important for both Israelis and Palestinians as this is the key for peace. Palestine and Israel shall base their security relations on cooperation, mutual trust, good neighbourly relations, and the protection of their joint interests. There will be zero tolerance for terrorism and violence. Both sides will work together to curb violence. Both sides will see that their citizens on both sides of the border reside in peace and tranquility. Zealots and terrorists, Palestinian and Jews, will receive tough penalties for any violation of peace and tranquility.
What is Palestinian will come under the territory of the new capital Al-Quds. Al-Quds would include East Jerusalem and the adjacent Palestinian land and villages. Abu Dis, Al-Izarieh, Al-Sawahreh, and Kufr Aqab will be included in the Palestinian capital. The Israeli capital would include West Jerusalem and the adjacent Israeli settlements.
The Old City should be under a special regime accepted by both sides. Special arrangements and recognition will be made to honour the importance of the Western Wall and the Jewish Quarter for Jews, and similarly special arrangements and recognition will be made to honour the importance of the Islamic and Christian holy places. There will be Israeli-Palestinian cooperation in providing municipality services to both populations.
Israel and Palestine should seek a fair solution that would not infringe the rights of any of the sides and will assure that the Palestinian people will have the required water supply for sustenance and growth.
Israel and Palestine will enjoy fishing rights in their respective territorial waters.
Israel and Palestine will institute a shared curriculum on good neighbourhood, understanding cultures and religions, respect for others and not harming others. This education programme will commence at the kindergarten and continue at primary and high schools. In every age group vital concepts for understanding the other will be studied. This programme is critical for establishing peaceful relationships and trust between the two parties.
Starting in primary schools, Arabic will be a mandatory language for pupils to study in Jewish schools. Similarly, Hebrew will be a mandatory language for pupils to study in Palestinian schools. Language is the most important bridge between different cultures and nations. Israelis will master Arabic to the same extent that they presently master English. Palestinians will master Hebrew as their second language.
Both sides need to clean up the atmosphere, fight bigotry, racism, incitement and hate on both sides of the fence/wall. This includes a close study of the education curricula in both the PA and Israel. Both sides need to overhaul their school books, excluding incitement, racism, bigotry and hate against one another. The curricula should reflect a language of peace, tolerance and liberty. Both sides should utilise the media to promote peaceful messages of reconciliation and mutual recognition.
As an act of good will, part of the trust-building process, Israel will release a number of agreed upon prisoners. With time, as trust will grow between the two sides, all security prisoners will return home.
The question of refugees and their right of return is a major concern for both Palestine and Israel. For Palestinians, this issue is about their history, justice and fairness. For Israelis, this is a debated issue, where many Israelis are unwilling to claim responsibility for the Palestinian tragedy and most Israelis object to the right of return as this would mean the end of the Jewish State. What needs to be done is to identify the population, establish the numbers, and after mapping the refugee population conduct a survey among them that would include the following options: Return to Israel; Return to the West Bank; Return to the Gaza Strip; Emigrate to third countries that would commit to absorbing a certain quota (appeal will be made to countries that receive immigration on a regular basis to participate in this settlement effort); Remain where they are.
The 1948 Palestinian refugees will be able to settle in Palestine. The rest of the world will be able to set immigration quotas for absorbing Palestinians who apply for settlement in their designated choice of country. Unification of families should be allowed in Israel on a limited quota scale annually. But massive refugee return to Israel will not be allowed. In addition, an international tribunal of reputable historians and international lawyers, including equal representatives of Israel and Palestine, will determine the level of monetary compensation. If needed, Israel and Palestine may establish an international relief fund to which humanitarian countries that wish to see the end of the conflict can contribute. Israel, Europe, the Muslim World, North America and other countries of good will would be able to secure the required funding. The United Nations and the World Bank may also be approached to offer assistance.
Israel and Palestine will consider opportunities for economic cooperation for the benefit of both societies, aiming to capitalise on the potential of both, to optimise resources and coordinate efforts. Israel would help Palestine develop an independent economy and open doors for Palestine in the Western world and elsewhere. Palestine will pave the way for Israel’s integration into the Middle East as an equal member in the community of neighbouring countries. Palestine will help Israel develop economic, industrial, tourist and other relationships with the Arab and Muslim countries.
Israel and Palestine will be free to conduct international commerce as they see fit. In order to develop trust between the two parties, some level of transparency about logs of commerce will be agreed and memorandums of understanding will be signed by the two parties.
Israel and Palestine will coordinate efforts in promoting tourism to the region, this via collaboration with the neighbouring countries in order to facilitate cultural and religious experiences that are unique to this region.
Mutual channels of communication will be opened on television, radio and the internet. These media channels will transmit their broadcast in two or three languages: Arabic, Hebrew and possibly also English. Communication and language are important for the development of good neighbourly relations.

Following the signing of a comprehensive agreement covering all issues and concerns, an official statement will be issued declaring the end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIA WILL HURT THE EU

christian — Mon, 28 Jul 2014 08:51:40 +0000

Just as the EU is trying its best to revive a stagnant economy, attempting to mend a fragile debt market and tackle high unemployment, sanctions against Russia will hurt the economies of major EU member states such as Germany, Britain, Italy, Holland and France with Germany being hit the hardest.

As a block, the European Union exports about € 100 billion worth of goods and services to Russia and takes in roughly € 200 million of the latter's imports.

Germany

For Germany, curtailed trade with Russia could really bite. Germany is Russia’s biggest European investor, with German companies pouring in over € 16 billion last year. Last year, Germany and Russia had trade in goods of close to €77 billion . Russia primarily supplies petroleum and natural gas to Germany. Germany, on the other hand, exports mechanical engineering products, medicines, trains and automobiles to Russia. Some 300,000 German workers depend on Germany's trade with Russia for their livelihoods. Sectors like the automotive industry, defense and engineering which have haemorrhaged jobs since the 2008 crisis would be hit hard once again.

More than 6,000 German companies are registered in Russia and, together, they have invested €20 billion in recent years. German chemical giant BASF has holdings in Siberian gas fields and Russian gas monopoly Gazprom obtained natural gas storage facilities in the state of Lower Saxony in exchange. German retailer Metro wanted to take its Russian subsidiary public this year, but the plan is now imperiled. Volkswagen also wants to invest a further €1.2 billion in the expansion of its Russian plants. It is now uncertain whether this will happen. Germany's state-owned KfW development bank had planned to sign a contract together with Russia's government-held VEB bank for a €900 million investment initiative on behalf of mid-sized companies, but the German side cancelled the event at the last minute.

United Kingdom

The UK provides minor military hardware and sells cars to Russia. However if the EU hits Russian state-owned banks, London's financial centre would suffer. Russian companies are well represented on the London Stock Exchange, and UK Trade and Investment market. London is also a prime destination for Russian businesses, and Russian oligarchs are major property owners in Britain. The energy sector could also be hit.

Italy

Italy will be seriously hurt by further sanctions against Russia. The country is currently attempting to boost its economy and attract foreign investors, particularly Russians. Italian goods sell well in Russia, many Russian tourists go to Italy for holidays, and so the Italian government is reluctant to implement further sanctions against Moscow.

Netherlands

The Netherlands will also be affected if broader sanctions against Russia are implemented. The Netherlands is the largest single recipient of Russian exports 9.2 percent in total. Outside of the EU, Russia is the biggest Dutch market for flowers. In 2011, imports from Russia to the Netherlands amounted to € 16 billion and exports to Russia amounted to € 6 billion.

France

France is Europe’s largest supplier of arms to Russia. The billion euros contracts for Mistral warships, keeps some 1,000 people employed in a country with a 10% unemployment rate.

Boomerang Effect

Should Russia cut its gas to the West in response, the loss in European production would more damaging than the hit its trade balance would take. It is unlikely that punitive measures would go unanswered by Russia. Russia may expropriate foreign companies doing business in the country, freeze bank accounts held in Russian banks as well as seizing assets.

EU Positions on tougher Sanctions Against Russia

1. Pushing Towards (United KIngdom, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)

2. Most Reluctant (Portugal, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Italy, Malta)

3. Undecided (Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania)

Possible EU Options

1. Cut off Russian bank finance: This option is the centerpiece of a proposal crafted by the European Commission in Brussels and circulated to national capitals. Specifically, it would ban all citizens of EU countries from purchasing new debt or stock issues by most of the Russian banking sector. The plan also proposes to bar Russian banks from listing new stocks on European stock exchanges, using those exchanges as an intermediary to raise funds from non-Europeans. The banks targeted would be those firms that are at least 50 percent owned by the Russian state which include the majority of the Russian banking system by assets. European markets account for about half of the total bond issuance of Russian banks, so the impact on the Russian banking sector and on the broader Russian economy would be dramatic.

2. Embargo Russia's arms trade: Many countries would like to see France refuse the delivery of Mistral helicopter carrier ships that Russia has ordered. France would prefer not to lose out on business worth over $1 billion. The Commission document notes, however, that Europe could hit Russia in the other direction. While the EU exports €300 million a year in weapons to Russia, EU countries import about €3.2 billion in Russian-made equipment. Those imports mostly go to former Warsaw Pact countries such as Poland, whose militaries have a legacy of using Russian arms.

3. End exports of energy equipment: The Commission proposal calls for Europe to halt the export of certain categories of equipment and technology that are used in fossil fuel extraction. The Commission would not target the natural gas sector, but does call for restrictions on the sale of equipment used in deep-sea drilling, arctic exploration, and shale oil extraction.

4. Block sales of dual-use technology: Possibility of curtailing the €20 billion market in the export of "dual use" technologies from Europe to Russia. These are technologies that have both civilian and military applications, such as certain microchips or precision tools. The Commission proposal especially focuses on €4 billion worth of "highly sensitive" equipment including "high-performance computers and electronics."

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