US-Europe World Affairs

“The United States is absolutely committed to the defense of NATO, and that means having full-spectrum capabilities not only within U.S. forces, but with NATO and partner nations as well.” highlighted the U.S Department of Defense in the news-article on December 13,2016.

While Military capabilities are known by the number of the troops and Military personnel –Power and Defense assurance are projected by advanced equipment, technology, the best training that could execute the required strategies, command and tactics in the theater fields.

The U.S Amy Europe and its 7th Army Training Command in Germany, has been the main center to build the NATO members’ Armed-Forces by regular training that to maximize the interoperability;              the multinational exercise,  joint maneuvers, the exchange of ideas and commands — aimed all to fortify the U.S-European Armed-Forces and bolster the NATO members’  Military to the higher capabilities of Physical  and  Cyber Defense. 

In early 2016 the United States has announced also the increase of the budget for NATO in the European Reassurance Initiative plan, as a further demonstrations of U.S commitment to safeguard European Freedom, Peace and Security. 

 

2015 © 7th Army Training Command

1. Additional: Secretary Carter Announces Deterrence, Defense Buildup in Europe, Oct 2016
2. The U.S-European Armed-Forces Stronger together

News from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria                      

News from U.S Army Europe   
News from US Naval Forces Europe-Africa              NATO 
News from U.S Air Force Europe-Africa                 The 7th Army Training                                               Follow us @USEUWAffairs                                                       

By Catherine S. Schmidt, Editor in Chief (Copyrighted material)      

Austria assumed the OSCE Chairmanship of 2017  from Germany at the OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in Hamburg on December 9th. 

 

 

 

 

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office German  Foreign Minister Dr. Steinmeier with Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz of Austria. Hamburg OSCE Ministerial meeting December 9, 2016 © Austrian MFA

“If we want security, we need to contribute by building bridges between East and West. We look forward to the honour of assuming the Chairmanship and to good cooperation”  Elaborated Foreign Minister Kurz in his speech. 

Minister Kurz also met and had bilateral discussions with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Minister Dr. Steinmeier, with High Representatives from United States, France, Russia and most Foreign Ministers of OSEC members. 

Message of U.S Mission to OSCE to Minister Kurz of Austria:

“Minister Kurz, the United States welcomes you to the Permanent Council, and offers its sincere thanks to Austria for taking on the Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2017.”  July 2016 © US Mission to OSCE  

Reference: The  first address to OSCE Permanent Council, incoming Chairperson-in-Office Austria’s Foreign Minister Kurz.  Vienna July 2016 

• News from Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• News from Austrian Armed-Forces   
• News from  Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship

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Australia’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council 2018-2020

“Australia will bring a principled and pragmatic approach to our term on the Human Rights Council.”  Assured Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop.  

News from Australian DFAT                                           News from Australian Armed-Forces

President Obama’s Proclamation on Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week 2016 

“…….On Human Rights Day and during Human Rights Week, we reflect on how far we have come in upholding these universal rights and resolve to continue fighting to safeguard them wherever they are threatened.” December 9, 2016 © The White House Press Secretary. 

UK Foreign Office, Minister for Human Rights, Baroness Anelay

“All around the world people’s human rights are under threat, so the role of civil society and human rights defenders has never been more important.

A shrinking civil society harms a country’s stability, economic prospects and wider social development. Providing space for civil society to operate is therefore crucial to the spread and strengthening of democracy all around the world.

An active civil society is the hallmark of a mature society; one that is open to challenge and able to protect the rights of its citizens. Governments should not only allow but proactively nurture a healthy civil society. They should commend human rights defenders – not condemn them.

This is the message that we will continue to promote both at home and abroad as we stand up for Human Rights.” December 9, 2016 © UK Foreign Office

Message of U.S Department of State on Human Rights Day

“…..On this International Human Rights Day, we recommit ourselves to upholding universal respect for the fundamental freedoms of all humankind.   Today and every day, the United States will continue to urge all nations to observe the principles of liberty, democracy, free expression, and equal protection under the law without distinction based on race, creed, sexual orientation, political opinion, or faith. As we celebrate the progress we’ve made toward a more just world, we reaffirm our unwavering devotion to a universal value—preserving and protecting the equal and inalienable Human Rights of all people.” December 10, 2016 © DoS 

 

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands, Lilianne Ploumen, 

“Human Rights in Cyberspace is a whole new realm of opportunity and risk” December 10, 2016© Dutch MFA

Austrian Federal Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz on the International Day of Human Rights

       ‘To fight Human Rights violations and to build bridges for Human Rights‘

 

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, on Human Rights Day December 10

 

Switzerland National report and action plan on Business and Human Rights

“On 9 December 2016 the Federal Council adopted a report outlining a national action plan for the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Switzerland is one of the first countries to adopt such a strategy in order to promote coherence between business activities and human rights.”   Bern, Media release, December 9, 2016 © Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Message of  Australian Department of  Foreign Affairs and Trade  on Human Rights Day from

“Australia’s commitment to Human Rights is enduring. We were a founding member of the United Nations and we have been an advocate for its purposes and principles ever since. Our commitment reflects our national values.  This year, Human Rights Day calls for everyone to stand up for someone’s rights today Stand Up For Human Rights. We must continue our commitment to ensuring that all people are entitled to respect, dignity and protection of their rights.” December 10, 2016 © Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia 

Note from Editor in Chief to German readers:  Human Rights has not much to do by  encouraging a large numbers of illegal immigrants  moving towards Europe but to Defend the Academic, Scientists and Political activists when they need protection regardless of their Nationality, Race and Faith.

 

1. Additional References:  Minister for Human Rights, Baroness Anelay hosts an annual event at the FCO to celebrate UK action on universal Human Rights. 
2. La diplomatie française soutient les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme 
3. Acting on the initiative of Austria, the United Nations Human Rights Council calls for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained journalists worldwide.
4. Human Rights are an essential element of Finland’s foreign policy
5. The Human Rights Tulip is an annual award by the Netherlands MFA for individuals or organisations that promote Human Fights worldwide in innovative ways.

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By Catherine Stella Schmidt  (Copy righted material)

 

                   Dignity,  Dialogue and  Development 

are based on Denmark’s positions and key priorities on Human Rights.

Denmark has presented its candidature for a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2019-2021. As a member of the Human Rights Council, we will work for dignity and human rights through dialogue and development. We will work to make a difference for the Council – and for the people around the world whose human rights are threatened.  December 2016 © MFA of Denmark 

Additional: Denmark the Leading force in UN for Human Rights,2015

News from Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
News from Minister Anders Samuelsen
News from Danish Mission to NATO                                   Follow us : @USEUWAffairs

   “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

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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 

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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