Category Archives: US-European Leadership

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Policy on promoting Human Rights in the World

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The United Kingdom through its Political and Diplomatic stance, has been the strongest Advocator, the consistent Promoter and the uncompromising Defender of Human Rights,  and Freedom in the World.

 

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On the importance of this concept in the UK Foreign Policy– Foreign Secretary The Rt Hon Philip Hammond elaborated:

“The promotion of Human Rights is a core part of the everyday work of the Foreign Office and is the responsibility of British diplomats around the world. This year we are doubling the funding available for Human Rights projects to £10 million, through the Magna Carta Fund – a true measure of the importance we attach to this agenda.” April 21, 2016 ©UK Foreign Office

The announcement by the Foreign Office states:

The Fund is launched on 18 January 2016 by FCO Minister Baroness Anelay which aims to further British interests overseas by tackling the root causes of Human Rights violations, strengthening institutions and governance, promoting and protecting Human Rights, and supporting Democracy and the Rule of Law.

The Fund has three priority themes:

 •Democratic values and the rule of law – Uphold universal rights, democracy and the rule of  law as key building blocks for more secure and prosperous societies;
•The rules-based international order – Support an effective rules-based international order that stands up for universal rights;
•Human rights for a stable world – Promote a more stable world by upholding universal rights in tackling conflict and extremism. April 21, 2016 ©UK Foreign Office

Additional References on the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to defend Human Rights and promote Democracy around the World:

• Human Rights Internationally Report by the UK Foreign Office
• The United Kingdom’s Human Rights and Democracy Reports

• Follow News form The Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond
• Follow News from Foreign office

The UK Royal Navy and its Global Leadership

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The United Kingdom, with the longest Naval history at Seas and the Oceans from the 9th century onwards, has an exceptional role– an eminent  Leadership to exert in European Naval Force in  Operation Atalanta, the EU Naval Force in Operation Sophia, in the NATO’s counter-piracy Mission  Operation Ocean Shield and in recent NATO Operation in the Aegean Sea.

The Main Missions of the Royal Navy

  • Providing Security at Sea
  • Fostering International l Partnerships
  • Preventing Conflict
  • Maintaining the Readiness for Deployments
  • Protecting the Security of Transportation for UK, Europe and the Allies
  • And the Humanitarian Relief Operations

The Royal Navy in fostering International Partnerships

2014 © UK Royal Navy

 

Interview with Major General Martin Smith, Operation Commander European Union Naval Force Somalia

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An exclusive interview with Operation Commander of the European Naval Force in Somalia, Hon. Major General Martin Smith, on the legendary Triumph of the European Union Naval Force in ATALANTA, conducted by Editor in Chief, Catherine S. Schmidt

                                        Major General SMITH, Operation Commander of the EU Naval Force 2016Major General Martin SMITH, the Commander of European Union Naval Force in Operation Atalanta, during a press briefing in Brussels 2016 © European Union

Sir, it is real honor to have this interview with you. Thank you for accepting this invitation.

Q: The EU NAVFOR has achieved a resonating success, in its ongoing Operation. Yet the final outcomes requires a longer commitment of the EU Naval Force— that to imply the extension of its Mandate beyond 2016.

  • To what extend would you agree?

Major General Martin Smith: Over the coming months we will continue to work with WFP, Maritime Industry, counter-piracy partners, international organisations and regional states to assess the threat to shipping transiting off Somalia, and what type and level of security measures will be required post 2016 to ensure that piracy does not once again return to those waters. As you can see from a press release from the ‘Council of European Union’ Following a comprehensive review of this engagement, the Council confirms its intention to extend the mandates of the three CSDP  missions and operation until December 2018, with a view to further enhancing the EU’s Comprehensive Approach in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, in particular the security-development nexus. In this regard, the EU reiterates its resolve to implement as soon as possible its initiative for Capacity Building in support of Security and Development (CBSD).’

  • Please give us an overview of the Operational success up to present time.

Major General Martin Smith: At height of piracy in January 2011, 736 hostages & 32 ships were held from ransom.  As I speak to you today, there are still 26 hostages, but no ships are held.  If you look at factors such as intent, capability and opportunity, Operation Atalanta and the other counter-piracy task forces have, through close coordination, successfully deterred and disrupted pirates at sea and significantly reduced their opportunity to attack ships. 

The self-protection measures, Best Management Practice (BMP), employed by the Shipping Industry and their use of private armed security teams have also had a significant impact, as they have made it very difficult for the pirates to get on board and take a ship for ransom.

The legal process used by the EU to prosecute suspected pirates has also proven to be a notable deterrent, as pirates know that there could be a high price to pay if they go out to sea to attack ships. 

The EU operates a ‘detain and prosecute policy’.  We will always seek, where possible, a legal finish.  Legal handovers are made on the advice of the capturing nation’s Foreign Affairs Department and on the understanding that detainees would receive a fair trial and be treated appropriately. 

We assess pirates still have intent and capability, so International Community must remain vigilant.

Read more

The Netherlands EU Presidency and its Leadership in OECD

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Logo kleur hoge resolutie Protected by Copyright Law ‘The Netherlands-OECD Global Symposium on Financial Resilience Throughout Life’  in the Beurs van Berlage, Amsterdam will be opened by Her Majesty Queen Máxima.

This Symposium is a coordinated plan by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development  OECD and  the Dutch Money Wise Platform, from 20-21 April 2016

More news from Dutch EU Presidency:  International green deal with France, Flanders and the United Kingdom

Follow news from Prime Minister Mark Rutter

The Leadership of Netherlands in EU Presidency 2016

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In 2016 the Netherlands holds the EU Presidency  for the twelfth time. The last time was in 2004.  Holding the Presidency involves mediating and brokering compromises between the 28 EU member states and between EU institutions like the Council, European Commission and European Parliament. The Netherlands’ central aim is that European Union place its focus more on what matters to Europe’s citizens, Economy and businesses. Thus its Priorities highlights Prosperity, Freedom and Security in Europe. 2016©The Dutch MFA

Among many areas that the Dutch Government  is intent on ameliorating in Europe– during its EU Presidency (until week  March 20, 2016) are:

*The list of touched Projects until week March 20th are far larger, but here are only a few.

The Netherlands’ initiative to enhance Europe’s Cyber-Security

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“The Netherlands wants to unite Countries, Businesses, Think Tanks and internet Experts, so that the world will be better equipped to prevent Cyberattacks on Political or Military targets.” February 12, 2016 © Dutch MFA

‘Cyberattacks are the key threat of the future,’  ‘They target Countries, Individuals, Companies and Infrastructure Networks. The World is still too passive about this issue.’  highlighted Foreign Minister Bert Koenders.  February 12, 2016 © Dutch MFA        Continue to read

European CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team)

See also:   Report a Cyber Crime, EUROPOL

 Logo kleur hoge resolutie Protected by Copyright LawThe Netherlands EU Presidency 2016

The Leadership of Austria and its Armed-Forces in the World

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Highly rich with European heritage, Austria is the centre of  Europe with its Capital city ‘Vienna’ the heart of Culture, History and Music, Literature, Science and Technology–since centuries ago.

In Political domain– Vienna holds also the key role not only in European Territory but also in the International Affairs. As of current time,  Vienna has the Seats of over 16 United Nations main Organizations, with more of other International Orgs and Institutions.  International Organizations in Vienna

In the Military sphere, the Austrian Armed-Forces has a major Leading Role in NATO, EU, UN Operations– deployed in various parts of the World for maintaining Peace and Security. 

A glimpse into the Austrian Armed-Forces engagements in the Global Missions

  • In KFOR Kosovo as part of International Security Force since 1999
  • In Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of European Force in Operation Althea since 2004
  • In UNIFIL Lebanon as part of UN Peacekeeping Force since 2011
  • In Central African Republic as the Military Adviser in EU Deployment Mission
  • In Ukraine part of OSCE as Military Observer in Monitoring Mission

Simultaneously in:

©Österreichs Bundesheer

 

 

By Catherine Stella Schmidt

 

Royal Netherlands Navy in Operation Atalanta-1

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 The Royal Netherlands Warship Accomplished its mission in the Operation Atalanta

Dutch warship, HNLMS Groningen Nov.2015The Royal Netherlands Warship, HNLMS Groningen Friday 27 November ©EUNAVFOR

Since 2008, as  a vital part of EU Naval Force, the Royal Netherlands Navy has been greatly engaged in Operation Atalanta.  

In August 2015, for the first time, the Royal Dutch Navy deployed one of its golden Ace ‘Patrol Vessel HNLMS Groningen’ to EU Naval Force for the ongoing Counter-piracy ‘the Operation Atalanta’. 

In its leading position, the Royal Warship HNLMS Groningen was engaged in: Patrolling the regional water for  maintaining Security and giving protection to ‘ Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN’. And in  the Joint Training and Exercise with the regional Maritime Forces.

On November 27. the Royal Netherlands Warship accomplished its three months period mission and was awarded the Medal of Operation Atalanta.

In the Atalanta Medal Parade ceremony  ‘Commander Hansen’ the Commanding Officer expressed his gratitude to his crew and stated: “This Medal is a sign of the European Union’s appreciation of your good work and achievements.”  ©EUNAVFOR

 

By Catherine S. Schmidt (Copyrighted material) 

 

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