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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hailed the European Union as a bastion of international partnershipon Thursday. In a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Trudeau made it clear that Canada sought to distance itself from the protectionism promotedby US President Donald Trump and post-Brexit vote Britain.

"You are a vital player in addressing the challenges that we collectively face as an international community," he told lawmakers. "Indeed, the whole world benefits from a strong EU."

The prime minister then called on the EU and Canada to take center stage in the global economy: "We know that, in these times, we must choose to lead the international economy, not simply be subject to its whims."

"Canada knows that an effective European voice on the global stage isn't just preferable, it's essential," he added, calling the bloc a "truly remarkable achievement and unprecedented model for peaceful cooperation."

Trudeau: CETA 'blueprint' for future

Trudeau's talk came just one day after the European Union backed a controversial free-trade deal with Canada, commonly known as CETA. Not only does the move show a stark contrast to the policies of President Trump, who withdrew from the proposed trans-Pacific free trade deal TTP, it illustrates Canada's drive to pivot away from complete reliance on trade with its neighbor to the south.

CETA was not without its detractors, however, who have argued for years that it promotes business interests to the detriment of farmers and workers. In the fall, the government of the Belgian region of Wallonia also held up ratification proceedings claiming it was hardly given any time to read the agreement and work out the ramifications for its inhabitants.

Trudeau, however, praised the agreement as a "blueprint for all ambitious, future trade deals," once it proves to be sucessful. He added that it will "make the lives of our citizens more affordable."

The Canadian leader gave his speech fresh froma trip to Washington, where he and President Trump attempted to bridge their many differences, even as Trump threatens to scrap the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

es/rt (AFP, Reuters)

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EU, Canada must lead world economy says Trudeau after CETA approval - Deutsche Welle

Jens Spahn, the deputy finance minister, according to commentators is believed to be Germany chancellor-in-waiting after a wave of dissatisfaction for Mrs Merkel, who has held the role for 11 years.

She was forced to backtrack on her open-door policy, which allowed migrants to settle in Germany, after critics took aim at her handling of the migrant crisis.

Mr Spahn, speaking on BBC HARDtalk, claimed EUs beloved Schengen free travel zone, which is one of the blocs four freedoms, was a catastrophic mistake, urging leaders to secure their borders.

The whole Schengen treaty and the situation you have with freedom of movement throughout continental Europe can only work if we are able and willing to secure our borders, he said.

BBCGETTY

Free movement throughout continental Europe can only work if we are able to secure our borders

Jens Spahn

Obviously we were not able to secure the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. There we are getting better.

We have to regain control and have regained a lot of control already, but not yet everything that needs to be done.

The German declared it was a debate that needs to be done, he added: If something like that is happening in the past two years with the migrants coming into Europe, then it is quite normal that you have a controversial debate in society and in a party.

I just see a controversial debate in a party. If you do it the right way and with good argument that is what we did in the Christian Democratic Union.

Mr Spahn added his European colleagues should work together to find a continent-wide solution to the problem, with many citizens concerned after a rise in terrorist activity during the migrant crisis.

He cited the failings of Schengen for the Berlin terror attack after suspect Anis Amri was allowed to travel freely across Europe to carry out the attack after serving several prison sentences.

We have not had a situation like this before in Germany or the European Union. Now, it is about regaining control and discussing security issues, he said.

Of course, fighting terrorism, and we have had terror attacks before this refugee influx but its about screening people that are coming into the European Union. By the way, the terrorist of Berlin was actually let out of a Greek prison too early.

EPA

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Moroccan Police look at immigrants trying to jump the six-meter-high fence in Ceuta, Spanish enclave on the north of Africa, 09 December 2016.

We have to find a European solution and I find it quite normal that you have controversial debates in a society and in an upcoming campaign because it is not an average issue. It is a fundamental question of society and Europe.

Under fire has signalled a readiness to discuss the parameters of free movement of people in the EU, suggesting Brexit negotiations may introduce some room for manoeuvre.

While not openly calling for a German vote to leave the EU, Mr Spahn has claimed: The debate we should be having in Germany, too: does Germany want to be part of a European Union that a majority of Brits feel belongs to them?

He called on all of the European partners in the Brexit negotiations to aim for a smooth transition when Britain leaves the bloc, wanting them to do everything we can for a soft Brexit.

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Merkel betrayal: Party rival takes aim at EU's failed Schengen policy amid migrant crisis - Express.co.uk

Kicking and screaming, the European Union is finally being forced down the road of currency reform. By the end of this year, the European Commission and the European Central Bank will have initiated a project, public or disguised, to partly dismantle the currency union. How do we know this? Because the political impetus that led to the creation of the euro is beginning to unravel.

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The 2017 election debate: euro - alive or dead? (Reuters)

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The European Union is set for a major currency upheaval - The Globe and Mail

The EU Military Chief of Staff has uncovered its role in establishing Decodex: a service provided by the daily newspaper Le Monde. Decodex aims at destroying the credibility of certain websites.

This service, technically subsidized by Google and Facebook, aims at fighting an alleged Russian influence in the West. Its strategy? Going after Internet sites challenging Nato, and charging them with being trivial in design and spreading this so-called propaganda from Moscow.

Several media outlets have been chosen to collaborate with this project. All of them are French. And what, is the root of the evil according to those promoting the campaign? Not Sputnik and Russia Today, but [yours truly], Voltaire Network.

Read: La lutte continue , a brief in English by EU Military Chief of Staff, EU vs disinfo.eu, 13 February 2017. The NATO campaign against freedom of expression, by Thierry Meyssan, Translation Pete Kimberley, Voltaire Network, 5 December 2016.

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Nato and the European Union are behind Decodex - Voltaire Network

DAR ES SALAAM The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a contribution of 9.5 million from the European Union (EU) in support of a 24.5 million Food Security and Nutrition Project in central Tanzania.

The project is designed to improve food and nutrition security for 40,000 people while contributing to the reduction of malnutrition in the targeted districts of Bahi and Chamwino in Dodoma region and Ikungi and Singida Rural in Singida region.

The EU contribution was announced today during an official signing ceremony at Umoja House in Dar es Salaam with Dr. Mpoki Ulisubisya, the Permant Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Michael Dunford, WFP Country Representative for Tanzania, and Roeland Van De Geer, Head of the European Delegation to Tanzania, in attendance.

Despite improvement in many health indicators over the last decade, there has been insufficient progress in improving the nutritional status of children and women in Tanzania, Roeland Van De Geer, Head of the European Delegation to Tanzania, said at the ceremony. The persistent levels of stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies in the country constitute a silent emergency. The new high-level political commitment to fight under-nutrition in Tanzania from a multi-sectoral perspective is a real game-changer. Through this project the EU together with WFP is well positioned to define and support the links between agriculture, health, food security and nutrition, which have not previously been well articulated or pursued.

The project builds on WFPs long-standing presence in central Tanzania and its experience in providing nutritious food and social behaviour change communication through local health facilities. These activities will be complemented by efforts in other sectors to provide a more holistic approach to reduce stunting in the country. The national level of stunting stands near 34 percent, with Dodoma at 36.5 percent and Singida at 29.2 percent.

Thanks to this contribution from the European Union, WFP is embarking on an innovative programme which aims to meet the nutrition needs of the most vulnerable, especially children during their key growth phase of the first 1,000 days from conception to two years, WFP Country Representative Michael Dunford said at the ceremony. This programme will provide evidence that will inform future initiatives, and it therefore carries the potential to bring about lasting positive change in Tanzania.

In Tanzania, the rate of chronic under-nutrition among children is driven by poverty, food insecurity and inadequate infant and young child feeding. The project will work to improve knowledge on nutrition, dietary diversity and practices in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The activities will be boosted by promoting the raising of small-scale livestock, planting diverse crops and mobilizing villages to start small savings and loan groups, increasing access to capital.

Save the Children is WFPs partner in strengthening synergies and capacities of community- based organisations and communities to promote gender empowerment and multi-sector approaches to nutrition, as well as coordinating the implementation of the agriculture component of the project.

By coordinating these activities under one umbrella, WFP, the EU and Save the Children will be addressing multiple challenges in improving food security and nutrition in Tanzania.

The project is part of WFPs work toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. In order to reach Zero Hunger by 2030, WFP is working with a wide range of partners including governments, the private sector and civil society.

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.

Follow us on Twitter:

World Food Programme: @WFP_Tanzania and @WFP_Media European Union: @EUinTZ and @EuropeAid

For more information please contact: Fizza Moloo, WFP/Dar es Salaam, Tel. +255 (0) 692 274 729 or +255 (0) 784 720 022, fizza.moloo@wfp.org Susanne Mbise, European Union, Press & Information Officer, +255 (0) 754 323 245, susanne.mbise@eeas.europa.eu

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European Union Supports WFP Nutrition and Food Security Project in Central Tanzania - ReliefWeb