Mediaboss Marketing

On 16thJuly, theEuropean Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia) turns ten years old. For the past decade, the mission has contributed to strengthen Somali institutional capacities in the maritime and police domains, as well as progressed with legal reform and rule of law.

First established as EUCAP Nestor, a regional civilian maritime capacity building mission focused on counter-piracy, in July 2012, the mission was renamed as EUCAP Somalia in 2016, with a focus on Somali partner and based in Mogadishu. Currently the mission is composed by 173 members and benefit from the direct contribution of 15 European countries that are seconding a part of the staff.

The mission is part of the EUs comprehensive approach to Somalia and was launched to complement the two other EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations: the military training mission EUTM Somalia and the counter-piracy EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta.

EUCAP Somalia gave the maritime authorities the necessary skills and equipment to conduct a basic coast guard function. Away from the coast, it also helped train some 700 federal Darwish, a robust police force mandated to secure territories freed from Al Shabbah control.Today, Somalia still faces massive internal security challenges. But thanks to our CSDP efforts, piracy is no longer a major threat to international shipping off the Horn of Africa stressed the HR/VR Josep Borrell in the occasion of the 15th CSDP Anniversary in May 2022.

Certainly, mission accomplishments were only possible thanks to the fruitful collaboration with Somali actors, including Ministry of Internal Security (MoIS), Ministry of Port and Maritime Transport, Somali Police Force (SPF), Somali Maritime Administration (SMA), INTERPOL, National Central Bureau (NCB). Additionally, with other international partners such as UNODC, UNSOM, UNOPS, IMO and INTERPOL.

In the Maritime domain, the mission has provided Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure training facilities the so-called ship-in-a-box , training and equipment in the three main ports (Mogadishu, Bossaso and Berbera) and contributed to the construction of the Somali Police Forces maritime unit Headquarters in Mogadishu in collaboration with EU partners.

The Mission has also strengthened the Somali Maritime Administrations (SMA) capacity to set the framework for its initial operational capabilities, with the provision of technical maritime, and supported the accession and domestication of international maritime conventions into Somalias legal framework. More recently, EUCAP Somalia was the first EU Mission to deploy a specialized team for the provision of tailored maritime training, including on how to maintain maritime equipment.

In the Police domain, in conjunction with other international partners, the mission has promoted police development and increased Somali Security Forces interoperability.

On the strategic level, the Mission has contributed to the revision of the Somali Transition Plan 2021-2022 in light of the withdrawal of African Union Forces (AMISOM) and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), with a focus on transitioning from military to police to an enhanced provisioning of security through civilian policing.

The Mission has been working with Somali INTERPOL NCB to increase their ability in combating transnational organized crime and achieving compliance with all 19 INTERPOL policies, of which 11 have already been achieved.The Mission is also supporting the development of the Action Plan for Empowering of Women in the Maritime and Marine Sector. The plan was consolidated and endorsed by the Ministry of Women and Family Affairs in Somalia (MoWFA) and is being implemented at Federal and Federal Member State Level.

We are delighted to have reached this milestone, through hard work and dedication, but also thanks to the fruitful collaboration and the commitment of Somali institutionsremarked Chris Reynolds, Head of Mission of EUCAP Somalia.

The missionis undergoing a strategic review to assess progress and identify needs and areas of support for the next mandate, starting from January 2023, with the aim to continue consolidating on its gains in the next years, strengthen its mandate, and foster the capabilities of the Police and Maritime Security sectors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of European Union External Action: The Diplomatic Service of the European Union.

This Press Release has been issued by APO. The content is not monitored by the editorial team of African Business and not of the content has been checked or validated by our editorial teams, proof readers or fact checkers. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Go here to see the original:
European Union Capacity Building Mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia): The European Union's civilian mission in Somalia celebrates its 10th anniversary...

Immigration has been a hugely contentious issue across Europe for decades, as many migrants, particularly from the Middle East and Africa, have illegally entered the continent in search of a better life. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has likely exacerbated this crisis, sending millions of Ukrainians fleeing west to Central and Western Europe via Poland. Europeans in general have rather mixed feelings towards migrants some think that immigrants have taken their jobs, while others believe that it is their duty to support migrants and other refugees. Even though some countries may not be so welcoming to refugees and illegal migrants, many immigrants still attempt to enter Europe every day.

In recent days, there has been a reported increase in the number of people arriving into Europe via the Western Balkans. The European Unions Border Agency, Frontex, reported that the number of irregular migrants detected in the region more than doubled to 12,088 in the month of May. In addition to an increase in the month-on-month figure, Frontex also discovered that the number of migrants who have entered Europe on this route has tripled in 2022 compared to 2021. The rise could be attributed to the Talibans complete control of Afghanistan compelling many Afghans to leave the country.

The new migrants have chosen the Western Balkans because they seem to be less dangerous than the alternatives. Entering Europe via the Mediterranean is treacherous, with many migrants dying when they attempt the crossing, and the refugee camps on the Greek islands are also relatively unsafe, not to mention at capacity. Many Sub-Saharan and North African refugees enter Europe through Spains enclaves in Africa, but there are many border guards patrolling there to deter illegal crossings.

In addition to migrants arriving from countries like Syria and Afghanistan, many Ukrainians have also sought refuge in Europe. The latest data shows that more than 5.5 million Ukrainians have arrived in Europe since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

Many European countries seem to be unable to handle the sheer amount of new arrivals. Therefore, the European Union and the United Nations must work together to properly solve the crisis. Distributing refugees globally would reduce the pressure on European countries.

See the original post here:
Western Balkans Route Brings Immigrants to Europe The Organization for World Peace - The Organization for World Peace

In an effort to reduce the CO2 emissions to zero, the European Union recently made a huge announcement in regards to the sale of internal combustion engines (ICE). The 27-member union announced that it has approved a plan to phase out the sale of automobiles with combustion engines in Europe by 2035. The policy, initially suggested in July 2021, will result in a de facto end to sales of petrol and diesel automobiles, as well as light commercial vehicles, across the European Union, beginning in 2035. According to the EU, this strategy is meant to aid in the achievement of the continents climate goals, particularly carbon neutrality by 2050 by making a permanent shift to a future with electric mobility.

The EU-27 also decided, at the request of nations such as Germany and Italy, to consider a future green light for the use of alternative technologies such as synthetic fuels or plug-in hybrids. While approval would be conditional on completely eliminating greenhouse gas emissions, environmental NGOs have raised concerns about the technology. Environment ministers meeting in Luxembourg also agreed to extend until the end of 2035 the exemption from CO2 responsibilities provided to so-called niche producers, or those producing less than 10,000 vehicles each year.

Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500

Many believe that this provision which sometimes has been dubbed the Ferrari amendment, will favour luxury brands in particular. Although these proposals must now be negotiated with European Parliament members. French Minister of Ecological Transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher, who presided over the gathering stated, This is a big challenge for our automotive industry, But she called it a necessity in the face of competition from China and the United States, both of which have invested heavily on electric vehicles as the industrys future.

These measures would enable for a planned and assisted transition, added the minister. Runacher further stated that Thanks to this agreement, Europe is putting itself at a leading position in terms of addressing climate challenges and technology. Were also ensuring a just transition for each member state, each territory and each citizen.

The EU however, also added that they are willing to be open-minded to other technologies like synthetic fuels, which are also referred to as e-fuels. Frans Timmermans, the EU Commission Vice President in charge of the European Green Deal, during the conference said, The overwhelming majority of car manufacturers have chosen electric cars, but we are technology neutral. What we want are zero-emission cars, He added, At the moment, e-fuels do not seem a realistic solution, but if manufacturers can prove otherwise in the future, we will be open.

Synthetic fuels technology is presently being researched and consists of manufacturing fuel from CO2 from industrial operations using low-carbon power in a circular economy approach. The automobile industry, like the oil business, has great aspirations for these new fuels, which would extend the usage of internal combustion engines, which is presently challenged by the introduction of fully electric cars. However, environmental organisations are opposed to the implementation of this technology in automobiles since it is both costly and energy-intensive. They claim that the synthetic-fuelled engines release the same amount of nitrogen oxide (NOx) as their fossil-fuel counterparts.

Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered

See the original post here:
European Union will end internal combustion engines by 2035 - CarToq.com

In April 2022, both agencies recommended that people over 80 years of age be considered for a second booster. However, the agencies noted at the time that it might be necessary to consider second boosters in people between 60 and 79 years old and vulnerable persons of any age if there was a resurgence of infections.

As a new wave is currently underway in Europe, with increasing rates of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, it is critical that public health authorities now consider people between 60 and 79 as well as vulnerable persons of any age for a second booster. These could be administered at least four months after the previous one, with a focus on people who have received a previous booster more than 6 months ago. Currently authorised vaccines continue to be highly effective in reducing COVID-19 hospitalisations, severe disease and deaths in the context of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Stella Kyriakides, the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety said that Our COVID-19 vaccines work, and offer good levels of protection against severe illness and hospitalisation. With cases and hospitalisations rising again as we enter the summer period, I urge everybody to get vaccinated and boosted as quickly as possible. There is no time to lose.

I call on Member States to roll-out second boosters for everyone over the age of 60 as well as all vulnerable persons immediately and urge everyone eligible to come forth and get vaccinated. This is how we protect ourselves, our loved ones and our vulnerable populations.

We are currently seeing increasing COVID-19 case notification rates and an increasing trend in hospital and ICU admissions and occupancy in several countries mainly driven by the BA 5 sublineage of Omicron, said Dr Andrea Ammon, the Director of ECDC.

This signals the start of a new, widespread COVID-19 wave across the European Union. There are still too many individuals at risk of severe COVID-19 infection whom we need to protect as soon as possible. We need to remind people of the importance of vaccination from the very first shot to the second booster. We have to start today.

We expect that adults 60 years and older and medically vulnerable populations will need a second booster dose. These are the groups most at risk of severe disease and giving a second booster to those groups now will avert a significant number of hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19.

I am aware that it requires a significant effort from public health authorities and society at large to achieve this goal. But now at the beginning of a new wave is the time to make the extra effort. We have several safe and effective vaccines available, and every single COVID-19 infection prevented now is a potential life saved.

At the moment, there is no clear evidence to support giving a second booster dose to people below 60 years of age who are not at higher risk severe disease. Neither is there clear evidence to support giving early second boosters to healthcare workers or those working in long-term care homes unless they are at high risk.

However, residents at long-term care homes are likely to be at risk of severe disease and should be considered for booster doses in line with national recommendations.

ECDC and EMA have called on public health authorities across the EU to plan for additional boosters during the autumn and winter seasons for people with highest risk of severe disease, possibly combining COVID-19 vaccinations with those for influenza.

National Immunisation Technical Advisory Groups (NITAGs) will ultimately make national decisions on who should get second boosters, taking into account the situation in their countries.

The latest ECDC/EMA advice comes amid work to adapt vaccines for the Omicron variants of concern.

We are working towards possible approvals of adapted vaccines in September, said EMAs Executive Director, Emer Cooke, noting that our human medicines committee is currently reviewing data for two adapted vaccines.

In the meantime, it is important to consider using currently authorised vaccines as second boosters in people who are most vulnerable. Authorised vaccines in the EU continue to be effective at preventing hospitalisations, severe disease and deaths from COVID-19, even as new variants and subvariants continue to emerge.

She added that Authorities in the EU are working closely with the World Health Organization and international partners on policies concerning adapted vaccines.

ECDC and EMA will continue to closely evaluate emerging vaccine effectiveness and epidemiological data and will update their recommendations accordingly. Further details about the latest advice on second booster doses is available in the ECDC/EMA joint statement.

Read more from the original source:
ECDC and EMA update recommendations on additional booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines - European Centre for Disease

The AU-EU FTA would cover goods, services and business investment, but the EU has set some new demands which link trade liberalisation to climate.

The free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union (AU-EU FTA) which aims to drive Australian exports, economic growth and job creation appears to be back on the table with negotiations restarting later this year, albeit with some hard lines on climate targets set by the European Union (EU).

In 2016, due to the Brexit fallout, the Turnbull Government announced that it had commenced work towards negotiations with the EU for an AU-EU FTA, with the first round of negotiations occurring in early July 2018.

The most recent round of negotiations for the AU-EU FTA took place virtually on 7-18 February 2022, but further negotiations have been on pause since France placed a block on further progress following the Morrison Government's cancellation of the French contract to supply diesel-powered submarines. Australia's relations with France had been on ice until this May, when newly elected Anthony Albanese made efforts to reinvigorate a spirit of co-operation between the nations, with there now being clear signs from the EU about proceeding with the negotiations.

The shape of those negotiations is a bit clearer, with reports that the EU will include sanctions for failure to reach Paris Agreement targets for emissions reductions (Australia has already satisfied a requirement to make a commitment on carbon neutrality). Some members of the EU Parliament have also called for more sustainability commitments in trade agreements as well, which could be a factor as the EU Parliament must approve any FTA.

Apart from climate issues, the EU is also looking for new laws on geographic indicators, which would bring rules already in place for wine to foodstuffs, while pushing back on the size of beef, lamb and dairy quotas.

Why does Australia need a free trade agreement with the EU?

The AU-EU FTA intends to leverage the partnership between Australia and the EU, given that they both share a commitment to the rule of law, global norms and free and open markets. According to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia exported goods and services to the value of $18.7 billion in 2019-20, and imported $59.9 billion in the same period.

As a bloc, the EU is a high-income market with a population of just under 450 million people and a GDP of around US$15 trillion. In 2020, it was Australias second largest trading partner, as well as our seventh largest export destination, fourth largest services export market and second largest source of foreign investment.

>Similar to the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement that was signed on 17 December 2021, an agreement with the EU will provide new opportunities for Australian goods and services in a highly significant market, which in turn will assist Australia with its post-pandemic economic recovery. The AU-EU FTA also has the ability to afford Australian exporters with a competitive edge and more choice about where they do business, while granting Australian consumers greater choice in goods and services at lower prices.

Potential benefits of the AU-EU FTA

The AU-EU FTA has, like most FTAs, the potential to create significant benefits to Australia, such as:

What could the AU-EU FTA deliver?

Australia has been at the forefront of concluding modern, comprehensive FTAs which aim to maximise tariff reductions for Australian exporters, open up services markets, and set rules to enhance trade and investment, reduce regulatory risk and support further liberalisation.

The AU-EU FTA would cover goods, services and business investment and is considered key if Australia is to reduce its trade dependency on China. According to an impact assessment, trade in goods and services between the two partners could increase by around a third.

For example, the AU-EU FTA has the potential to deliver:

Timeline and next steps for the AU-EU FTA

Currently, the Australian Government is aiming to accelerate negotiations and progress the AU-EU FTA, with the next formal round of negotiation in October.

Throughout the negotiation period, DFAT indicates that it would be interested to receive submissions from interested individuals and groups on the potential opportunities and impacts of the AU-EU FTA. In your submission, it would be worthwhile considering how the AU-EU FTA may impact your business and the opportunities that will likely arise from a partnership with the EU to assist the Government in determining Australia's key priorities for further negotiations of the FTA.

In addition, as the AU-EU FTA is likely to have significant implications for Australian business and might open up various opportunities that will be worth taking advantage of, Australian businesses involved in trade and foreign investment, or those who are seeking to attract foreign capital, should prepare for the changing landscape and continue to stay abreast of the changes yet to come.

See the original post here:
Free trade agreement between Australia and the European Union back on the table - with some caveats - Lexology