Global Trade Union’s Rights Index 2017

 

One of the World’s 10 worst Countries for Workers is Turkey ⚒ Following the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016, trade unions and their members have been made public enemies. Over 100,000 public sector workers have lost their jobs in systematic purges by the Erdogan government, whilst others have been transferred or suspended. ⚒ Furthermore, trade union leaders and members have been attacked, arrested and jailed, whilst marches and protests have been banned or subjected to repressive policing in the aftermath of the coup. Similarly, freedom of movement for trade unionists in Turkey has also suffered in 2017. ⚒ During the whole month of February, acts of violence, arbitrary dismissal and detention took place in the country, aggravating the climate of tension and causing violence and uncertainty. ⚒ There has been a slight decrease in the number of recorded instances where the rights to free speech and public protest were repressed through the police and security services. ⚒ Threats and violence in retaliation for the exercise of freedom of association deprive workers of their rights and create a climate of fear that chills the exercise of that right by others. © photocredit L’un des 10 pires pays pour travailleurs et travailleuses au monde est la Turquie

***

Mısır’ın görünmeyen yüzü…

…ve Türkiye benzerliği!

***

The State of Play of Bilateral Engagement with EU Neighbourhood Policy Partners!

 

What progress has been registered in the area of good governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights? The ENP was reviewed in 2015 to respond to the new challenges of an evolving neighbourhood. Today’s report shows results following a new approach based on differentiation, joint ownership and flexibility. The revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) reinvigorated the relations between the European Union and its neighbours to the East and South, with a greater focus on stabilisation, resilience and security. A tailor made approach with each and every country, to ensure it addresses the real needs and interests, for the sake of all our citizens. The reviewed ENP has mobilised significant support to reforms in four priority areas: good governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights; economic development for stabilisation; security; migration and mobility. Other available languages: FR DE ES IT EL CS ET HU LT MT PL SK SL HR

***

Energy: a shaping factor for regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean?

 

New regional cooperation scenarios despite conflicts! ⛅ In recent years, the Eastern Mediterranean has been a hot topic in international energy markets. Interest in the area arose when three large fields were discovered between 2009 and 2011: the Tamar and Leviathan fields in offshore Israel and the Aphrodite field in offshore Cyprus. ⛅ To exploit this potential, a number of export options where progressively discussed, from pipelines (to Turkey or Greece) to LNG plants (in Cyprus, Israel and Egypt). ⛅ Analysts have expressed hopes that the new gas discoveries might not only strengthen the energy cooperation in the region, but also pave the way for a new era of economic and political stability. ⛅ However, the high initial expectations were largely muted over time. In Israel, a long-lasting internal political debate on the management of the gas resources created a climate of uncertainty that contributed to the delay of key investment decisions. ⛅ In Cyprus, where the gas discovery was welcomed as a god-sent gift to relieve the country from its financial troubles, the initial enthusiasm cooled down due to successive downward revisions of the expected resources. ⛅ These developments raised scepticism on the general idea that the Eastern Mediterranean might become a gas-exporting region. But expectations were revived by the recent discovery of the large Zohr gas field in offshore Egypt. Considering its size, this discovery – the largest ever made in the Mediterranean Sea –might indeed completely change the regional gas outlook. ⛅ However, multiple lines of conflict (e.g. the Cyprus issue, the changing relations between Turkey, Israel and Egypt, Israel’s relations with neighbours and the Turkish-Greek disputes over the Aegean) make future potential exploitation of Eastern Mediterranean energy resources a major geopolitical issue.

***

EU Defence: Council adopts Conclusions

 

EU remains committed to strengthen security and defence! EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence meet in Brussels on 18 May 2017 to take stock of the implementation of the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence and adopt conclusions in this regard. The Council is also discussing EU-NATO cooperation. Over lunch, defence ministers are discussing counter-terrorism together with interior ministers. The meeting is preceded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) steering board. By responding to external conflicts and crises, building the capacities of partners and protecting the Union and its citizens – the three strategic priorities 1) responding to external conflicts and crises when they arise, 2) building the capacities of partners, 3) protecting the European Union and its citizens through external action.identified in the EU’s level of ambition as derived from the EU Global Strategy – the EU remains committed to strengthen security and defence. the EU is enhancing its ability to act as a security provider, as well as its global strategic role and its capacity to act autonomously when and where necessary and with partners wherever possible. the Council stresses the importance of tackling challenges and threats along the nexus between internal and external security as well as to develop an integrated approach, including to better address prevention, linking up different EU instruments in a coordinated way. “L’UE demeure déterminée à renforcer la sécurité et la défense”, le Conseil adopte des conclusions © photocredit

***

Food waste in Europe…

 

While people suffering from hunger ! ⚠ Some 88 million tonnes of food are wasted in the EU every year, equivalent to 173 kilos per person. Consumers are often unaware of the issue or its causes. 793 million people in the world are malnourished. And 55 million people (9.6% of the EU’s population), were unable to afford a quality meal every second day in 2014. ⚠ 88 millions de tonnes de nourriture sont gaspillées chaque année dans l’Union européenne, soit une moyenne de 173 kilogrammes par personne. 793 millions de personnes souffrent de malnutrition dans le monde. Et, environ 9,6 % de la population européenne ne parvient pas à s’offrir un repas de qualité un jour sur deux. Six things you could do to minimise food waste ⚠ Compile shopping lists ⚠ Check the dates and be aware of the meaning of date labelling ⚠ Store food in accordance with the instructions on the packaging ⚠ Put new food at the back of your fridge and cupboards ⚠ Use up leftovers ⚠ Freeze Gaspillage Alimentaire: Et les personnes souffrent de la faim – [NL] – [DE]

***

EU Foreign Affairs Council – Brussels, 15 May 2017

 

Foreign Ministers Discuss Global Security & Defence Strategy before NATO Summit! © photocredit [French Version-FR]

***