US-Europe World Affairs

   “Fostering  Consensus,  Acting for Peace”

 

As an original founders of the United Nations, in 1945  Belgium signed the UN Charter along with 50 other countries.  And since then it has been actively engaged in contributing to Peace and Security in Europe and in the World.     

Belgium is at the forefront in the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes like genocide or war crimes. As part of its active Human Rights policy, Belgium takes the lead on issues such as the abolition of the death penalty, the fight against racial discrimination and the promotion of equal rights for LGBT’s.  2016 © MFA of Belgium 

News from MFA of Belgium                                        News from Belgian Armed-Forces 
News from Belgium Mission to the UN                 News from PM Charles Michel

Follow us on Twitter: @USEUWAffairs    

President Sauli Niinistö of Finland’s reception on the Independence Day December 6, 2016                                                                                 ‘Finland’s Strengths in the Spotlight’

Message from U.S Department of State on the occasion of Finland’s Independence Day.

“On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I warmly congratulate Finland on the 99th anniversary of your independence on December 6.”  Department of State Dec 5, 2016 

News from Finland MFA                                                 News from Finland Armed-Forces 

Follow us: @USEUWAffairs    

The U.S Department of Justice Immediate release December 1, 2016 

November 30 began the start of a multi-national operation to dismantle a complex, criminal network of worldwide computer servers known as Avalanche. This network hosted more than two dozen of the world’s most pernicious types of malware and several money laundering campaigns. 

“The operation is being conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the FBI – Pittsburgh Division, and the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the United States Department of Justice, in close cooperation with the Public Prosecutor’s Office Verden and the Luneburg Police of Germany, Europol and Eurojust, located in The Hague, Netherlands, and investigators and prosecutors from more than 40 countries. 

“The operation involves an unprecedented and ongoing effort to seize, block and sinkhole more than 800,000 malicious domains associated with the Avalanche network. December 1, 2016   © DoJ Public Affairs                  Continue to read 

EUROPOL Press release December 1, 2016 

On 30 November 2016, after more than four years of investigation, the Public Prosecutor’s Office Verden and the Lüneburg Police (Germany) in close cooperation with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Department of Justice and the FBI,  Europol, Eurojust and global partners, dismantled an international criminal infrastructure platform known as ‘Avalanche’.  The Avalanche network was used as a delivery platform to launch and manage mass global malware attacks and money mule recruiting campaigns. It has caused an estimated EUR 6 million in damages in concentrated cyberattacks on online banking systems in Germany alone. In addition, the monetary losses associated with malware attacks conducted over the Avalanche network are estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of euros worldwide, although exact calculations are difficult due to the high number of malware families managed through the platform. December 1, 2016   © EUROPOL          Continue to read 

1. Additional: European Union Intellectual Property Agency 
2. UK Intellectual Property Department             3. U.S Intellectual Property Agency 

• See important advise on Cyber Security US Cert                  
• News from EU Cyber Security Cert                             News from EUROPOL                       

President Obama with his Executive order prohibited the Chines purchase of Aixtron for National Security reasons.  Another audible sign that the U.S presence in Europe, is not a luxury but a Necessity for European Defense and Security Pillars, as the case in Aixtron showed that Germany has to rely on U.S. advice and steps.

President Obama’s Order Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of a Controlling Interest in Aixtron SE by Grand Chip Investment GMBH   The White House Press Release Dec 2, 2016 

• Security Concerns Prompted Germany to Reopen Review of Chinese Takeover of Aixtron
• President Obama blockiert Aixtron-Übernahme
• View the detail : US tries to block Chinese purchase of Aixtron    
• US ‘warned Merkel’ against Chinese takeover of tech firm    the Local.de October 2016
• US blocks Chinese purchase of German tech firm Aixtron over security concerns  

The multinational Exercise Silver Sabre-2 was executed from November 21 -26 at Camp Film City, Camp Vrelo and Camp Pomazatin with the joint Forces of: NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR), the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), Kosovo Police (KP) and the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF). 

 

 

 

Brigadier General Bernd Thran, Deputy Head of EULEX (center) attedning the  Silver Sabre-2 Exercise.                                         November 28, 2016 © EULEX

The Exercise is in a series led by KFOR,  aimed to assess and upgrade the operational readiness and to enhance the coordinated efforts between KFOR,  EULEX, KP, KSF  in Kosovo. 

Briefed by KFOR Public Affairs, additional elements  that have been part of the exercise were:  

• KP, in the Crowd Riot Control (CRC) role as a first responder;
• EULEX, in the CRC role as a second responder;
• KSF, in the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRN) role according to their mission, response operations in Kosovo and abroad in Civil Protection Operations, Natural Disaster and other emergencies.  © KFOR  November 21, 2016 

November 28, 2016 © KFOR                                                                                                                                                                       News from KFOR                        News from EULEX               Follow us on Twitter: @USEUWAffairs                    

Additional: Operation Silver Sabre shows full force of multinational capabilities,US Army Europe 2015                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Sources: KFOR Public Affairs/EULEX/US Army Europe

Secretary of Defense Carter and Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of  France  met on November 28 in Washington to strengthen the Military partnership of the two countries.                                                                        The bilateral Military partnership between the United States and France has been firm for centuries…… robust and durable for all time.  A relation that traces itself to the depth of American history…… and the Continental Army where the French Commander General Marquis de Lafayette, played a significant role…..and still is exalted across the U.S  as the American Hero.

Nov 28, 2016 © US Mission to NATO                       News from French Mission to NATO 

During this meeting, along with wide range of Defense and Security discussions including counter-ISIL and  Syria, the U.S and France signed additional Military cooperation agreements.

News from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria             News from French Armed-Forces                 
News from US Naval Forces Europe-Africa                                   
News from U.S Air Force Europe-Africa              News from Strong Europe U.S Army Europe   

  Imagine a world without any antagonistic views and hostilities……a world enriched with Love, true Compassion and Friendships.

Just as the case in the recent fire emergency in Israel showed– Israel and Palestine can live next to each other as the best friends…….partners……..who help each other not only in the time of crisis but also in building a beautiful, Peaceful future.

• News from PM Netanyahu                                          News from Israel Armed-Forces
• Israel Mission to NATO

Additional: Israeli Armed-Forces and its Multicultural System

Photo: November 24, 2016  courtesy of   Israel Mission to NATO/  Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)                                                                                                                                                             By Editor in Chief

Nov 25, 2016 © MFA of the  Netherlands

1. Additional: The Human Rights Tulip award for individuals or organisations that promote Human Rights Worldwide in innovative ways.
2. The Dutch Government’s action plans on supporting Human Rights Defenders
3. The Dutch Government’s Human Rights Fund

News from PM Mark Rutte
News from Dutch Armed-Forces             Follow us on Twitter: @USEUWAffairs

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited UK on November 23 and met with Prime Minister May and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. Among other important subjects, the leaders of UK and NATO discussed on the importance of all NATO members to increase their Defence spending, NATO’s cyber capabilities, and how to adapt to the new security environment and counter the emerging threats.  The Secretary General praised UK for its enduring commitments both financially and by contributing troops by stating:                                                     “UK is a strong ally at the heart of NATO”

 

 

 

Prime Minister May and Secretary General Stoltenberg during their meeting.  London November 23, 2016 © NATO Public Affairs

 

The  spokesperson of PM Office highlighted:

  “The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for NATO and said we will remain a cornerstone of the Alliance.”

 “The two leaders also discussed the recent US election and the importance of the transatlantic bond to security.  Secretary General Stoltenberg relayed his recent conversation with President-elect Donald Trump, in which they had agreed on the enduring importance of NATO. ”   Nov 23, 2016 © PM May’s Office                                   

1. Additional: NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg statements during his visit to UK 
2.  NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s speech  at the Oxford Union

News from  PM Theresa May                      News from Secretary General Stoltenberg      

News from UK Foreign Office                                                    News from UK Armed Forces
News from Chancellor Philip Hammond                                                                                                                                  News from PM Tony Blair International organisation 

Follow us on Twitter: @USEUWAffairs                           Sources: PM May’s office/NATO Public Affairs

“During his telephone conversation with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the United States President-elect Donald Trump expressed his thanks to Hungary’s support. The President-elect also expressed that he has a great respect for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Hungarian economy. And he is looking forward to working together with the Hungarian Prime Minister.”  Stated Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, at the press conference . November 25 2016 © MFA of Hungary

1. Additional: NATO’s new Force Integration Unit in Hungary
2. The United Kingdom and Hungary an Enduring Partnership
3. Communism was an insane idea PM Viktor Orbán speech during the commemoration of Hungarian memorial Day November 2015

News  from PM Viktor Orbán                                  News from Hungarians Mission to NATO                                   News from MFA of Hungary                           News from the Armed-Forces of Hungary

Follow us on Twitter: @USEUWAffairs