Ukraine War: US getting very alarmed by the military Union between Iran and Russia

Russia and Iran are collaborating more closely than ever in the areas of fighter jets and lethal drones, according to US intelligence. Moscow has rebuked Washington's assessment, as the invasion of Ukraine presses on.

The United States warned on Friday that Russia and Iran are ramping up military cooperation to an extent that is "harmful" to Ukraine and Iran's neighbors.

Citing intelligence assessments, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described "an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their relationship into a full-fledged defense partnership."

Read more at https//www.dw.com

EU-Japan Relations: EU and Japan join forces to counter US and Chinese initiatives – by Jorge Valero

The EU and Japan signed on Friday (27 September) a holistic partnership to promote investment projects based on rules-based and sustainable principles, and to counter the risks posed by the US and China.

The EU-Japan partnership on sustainable connectivity – a term covering an array of trade, economic, transport and environmental fields – and quality infrastructure was presented to other Asian partners during the EU-Asia connectivity forum held on Friday.

Both partners agreed to “promote free, open, rules-based, fair, non- discriminatory and predictable regional and international trade and investment, transparent procurement practices, the ensuring of debt sustainability and the high standards of economic, fiscal, financial, social and environmental sustainability,” the text reads.

The deal will cover all dimensions of connectivity including digital, transport, energy and people-to-people exchanges.

Read more: EU and Japan join forces to counter US and Chinese initiatives – EURACTIV.com

China-EU: Making the world a better place: EU and China strategic partners since 1975 and in it for the long run

Together, China and the EU generate 33.9 
percent of the world's economic output

On May the 7th, 2015  the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a Press release jointly issued by Wang Yi - Chinese Foreign Minister and Federica Mogherini  the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission commemorating the 40th anniversary of the day when China and the European Economic Community (EEC) officially established diplomatic relations.

It was a decision taken with exceptional foresight on both sides. "Note EU-Digest: specially if we look back at the developments going on in the world today".

The world is beginning to move towards a more multi-polar order: China and Europe want to lead that transformation - Note EU-Digest: and have done so quite peacefully and successfully so far". 

While this cooperation will continue, we need to look at ways to address the root causes of piracy on land. We also intend to expand our focus to promoting peace and security in Africa, by supporting the capacity of the African Union and working together in places such as Mali.

Our common successes embolden us to keep on the same track. Together we can address other longstanding peace and security challenges such as the Middle East Peace Process, where we are both committed to a comprehensive, two-state solution for Israel and Palestine..

Both China and the EU are convinced that the conflict in Ukraine can only be solved by diplomatic means and through full respect for international law, especially respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. We call on all sides to fully assume their responsibility and to implement their commitments under the Minsk agreements.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the European Union last year, we were committed to developing potential synergies between EU policies and China's "Silk Road Economic Belt" initiative. As two major forces on the Eurasian continent, the EU and China should make joint efforts, together with the countries along the Silk Road, to strengthen communication and coordination on this topic.

We also have a shared responsibility for countering terrorism in all forms. The EU has been grateful for Chinese efforts to evacuate and bring back to safety Chinese, European and other citizens from Yemen.

Our efforts should continue now towards addressing the acute crises in Syria, Libya and Yemen by working towards negotiated political solutions under the aegis of the United Nations. And we should do everything we can to prevent such crises to arise in the future.

We have come such a long way since 1975, when our relationship was based on trade and economic relations only. But in forty years we have also reached an unprecedented level of interdependence.

Our trade now reaches, according to Chinese statistics, as much as $600 billion, and some 16,000 passengers are traveling between China and EU countries on over 70 flights each day. We are committed to strengthening trade and economic ties, facilitating people-to-people exchanges, and to boosting two-way investment and improving market access on a reciprocal basis.

Over the decades, we have also learned that development has to be sustainable and inclusive, with structural reforms and innovation at its core. These goals can only be achieved achieve if we work together, through constructive interaction and mutual support. This is the essence of our strategic partnership.

China and the EU are accountable for the well-being of about a quarter of the globe's population. Our two economies impact immensely on those around us. We should co-ordinate more closely at the multilateral level.

Significant resources have also been dedicated to advancing the climate change agreements and secured at the Paris Conference of the Parties.

At the EU-China Summit held in Beijing 12-13 July 2016 leaders discussed common challenges, including the protection of the rule-based international order.

The UN post-2015 development agenda also offers an important opportunity and means to alleviate and eradicate poverty, and to promote growth and human rights, not least the right to development. EU and China will work together for a fair, inclusive and sustainable post-2015 agenda.

The year 2015 also marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations. China and Europe are among those who built and maintained the post-World War II international order based on the UN Charter.

China will continue to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter, and their universality, and work actively for peace, development and human rights in international relations, the rule of law in international governance, and a more equitable international order.

Note EU-Digest: In 2016, China was the world's largest economy for the second year in a row. It produced $21.3 trillion in economic output. The European Union was in second place, generating $19.2 trillion. Together, China and the EU generate 33.9 percent of the world's economic output of $119.4 trillion.The United States fell to third place, producing $18.6 trillion. The world's three largest economies combined produced $59 trillion.

 March/04/2017

EU-Digest

Read more: EU and China strategic partners for long run

Azerbaijan- EU seeks to soon sign new partnership deal with Azerbaijan - By Laman Ismayilova

The European Union hopes to soon sign a new strategic partnership agreement with Azerbaijan, head of the EU delegation in Azerbaijan, Malena Mard told Trend.

She said that the process is underway for obtaining an appropriate mandate from the EU Council.

“After the mandate is received, it will be possible to begin negotiations with the Azerbaijani side,” she noted.

“As you know, we have already held two meetings in this regard. We hope it will be possible to start negotiations in the near future

Baku has recently announced that the sides finalized joint consultations on the scope of Strategic Partnership Agreement, voicing hope that the EU will come up with an official mandate to launch negotiations soon.

Currently, the bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are regulated on the basis of the partnership and cooperation agreement, which was signed in 1996 and came into force in 1999.

The new agreement will envisage bringing Azerbaijan's legislation and procedures closer to the most important international and trade standards of the EU.

This process is meant to improve the access of Azerbaijani products to the EU markets.

READ MORE: Today.Az - EU seeks to soon sign new partnership deal with Azerbaijan

Russia: It's High Time For The EU To Bring Russia Back Into The European Equation As A Partner

Russia and the EU : Partners For Progress and Peace

Almost everyone now recognizes that Russia’s military intervention in Syria to defeat the so-called Islamic State terror group was the right call to make.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t crowing about it. He doesn’t have to.

The Russian intervention so far has proven to be a stunning success, that is indisputable.  Vladimir Putin and the Russian military ought to be particularly praised for having set goals fully
commensurate with their real capabilities.

Putin’s vindication was made clear by the enthusiastic reception afforded to him at the recent summit of G20 leaders in Turkey.. The Financial Times headlined: “Putin transformed from outcast to problem solver at the G20”.

In the meantime the so-called allies of the West in the Middle East, including, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf Arab states, have been exposed, not only by foes but also by friends for having been the major funding and facilitators of the jihadist terrorist brigades.

Putin also highlighted these "bad links" of our own Western alliance at the G20 summit, when he announced that the financing of the terror networks in Syria has come from “40 states, including members of the G20”.

During the G20 summit and on other occasions French President Hollande called for the U.S. and Russia to set aside their policy divisions over Syria and "fight this terrorist army in a broad, single coalition.". It seems to have worked..

Putin followed up  by offering Russian naval coordination with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean for future airstrikes against ISIL.

All this goes far beyond the usual rhetoric and shows that Vladimir Putin has true leadership qualities on tackling terrorism in Syria and beyond., obviously, also, as any political leader would subscribe to, with motives of self interest.

But, when the whole Middle East was on the verge of an implosion and Europe overwhelmed by refugees, Putin stepped up to the plate.

As the old English proverb goes: "cometh the hour, cometh the man".

Maybe it's time, therefore, that the EU gets more serious and involved into what the Germans describe as  "Realpolitiek" and bring Russia back into the European fold as a partner.?


EU-Digest

China - EU: Chinese FM, EU foreign policy chief meet on closer strategic partnership - by Ren Zhongxi

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here Friday with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the sidelines of the annual high-level debate of the UN General Assembly.

During their talks, Wang said that the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, which has laid a solid foundation and opened a bright prospect for the development of bilateral ties, ushers in a second decade this year.

During a trip to Europe in March this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and European leaders decided to deepen their partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilization, which has charted the course for the future development of China-EU ties, said Wang.

China and the EU need to accumulate mutual trust and strengthen cooperation on the basis of mutual respect so as to further advance their comprehensive strategic partnership, said the Chinese foreign minister.

For her part, Ashton said that the EU-China relationship, which has made rapid progress over the past 10 years, enjoys great potential for further development.

Read more: Chinese FM, EU foreign policy chief meet on closer strategic partnership - CCTV News - CCTV.com English

EU-Russia: Could a greater Europe including Russia be better off politically for EU than the present Transatlantic Alliance with US?

Global markets are still jumpy about the situation between Russia and Ukraine. But as one market analyst notes, there's a reason Europe has more to fear than the U.S.

Wells Fargo's Jay Bryson writes that while American trade ties with Russia are more extensive than with the Ukraine, the "overall numbers are still rather small when viewed in the context the overall U.S. economy."

"American exports to Russia total about $11 billion, which is less than 1 percent of overall American exports of goods," he noted. "A bit more than 1 percent of total U.S. imports come from Russia (about $30 billion)."

But in Europe, the trade exposure is much more extensive, Bryson writes. 

From the note:

EU exports to Russia total about $150 billion, which accounts for more than 7 percent of the total exports that the European Union sends outside of its borders. Conversely, the European Union receives nearly 12 percent (about $250 billion) of its imports from Russia. Notably, these imports are concentrated in energy products.

OECD Europe imports about 10 million barrels per day (mbd) of crude oil to satisfy its oil consumption that totals 13 mbd. Although OECD Europe imports oil from many different countries, Russia is the single most important source of petroleum products for Europe. Moreover, Russia produces about 11 mbd, which represent about one-eighth of total global production of crude oil. Thus, Russia can have potentially marked effects on global oil prices.

Read more: COTD Europe And US Ties With Russia - Business Insider

Ukraine Needs Europe More Than Europe Needs It - Room for Debate - by Steven Pifer

The enlargement of the European Union and NATO over the past two decades has helped to shape a more stable and secure Europe. Integrating a democratic Ukraine into European institutions would contribute to that goal. But does Europe “need” Ukraine?

If by “Europe” one means the European Union, the answer would appear to be no. Europe’s most significant political and economic institution wants Ukraine. But it apparently does not believe that it needs Ukraine — at least not so much that it is prepared to lower its standards.

Had the European Union needed Ukraine, it would have gone ahead last year and signed the E.U.-Ukraine association agreement, which provides a road map to bring Ukraine closer to Europe and includes a free trade area. Instead, E.U. officials insisted that the Ukrainian government first meet certain democracy criteria.

When Ukrainian officials at the last moment called for huge sums of financing to ease implementation of the agreement, the European Union might have begun bidding. Some financial assistance is on offer, but E.U. officials see little reason to pay Ukraine to take steps that are in its own best interest.
But while it may not need Ukraine, the European Union very much wants to have on its eastern flank a stable, democratic state.

Read more: Ukraine Needs Europe More Than Europe Needs It - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com

Airline Industry: Two Airbus A380 to fly over Harbour Bridge as Qantas and Emirates tie-up

Quantas Emirates A380 fly tandem over Sydney Harbuor

Australian airline Qantas marked the official launch of its partnership with Emirates on Sunday with a spectacular tandem flyover of the Sydney Harbour Bridge by two Airbus A380s.

Qantas said the feat by the two super-jumbos -- one from each of the carriers -- is thought to be the first time anywhere in the world that two commercial airline A380s have flown in formation.

As the planes flew over the bridge the Qantas jet was in the lead, flying at about 1,500 feet (450 metres).

"The sight of two of the world's great airlines flying two of the world's largest aircraft so close together over Sydney Harbour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Qantas chief pilot Philip Green said before the event.

"There has been a huge amount of planning which has been necessary to make this possible, including seeking approval from safety regulators in both Australia and the United Arab Emirates."

Pilots from both airlines completed dozens of special simulator training sessions since January, with Emirates pilots traveling Down Under to conduct sessions in Qantas's A380 simulator in Sydney this month.

Read more: Two Airbus A380 to fly over Harbour Bridge as Qantas and Emirates tie-up | Astro Awani

Ukraine's choice: between East and West - by Jacek Saryusz-Wolski

The EU understands the approach that Ukraine is taking with it. Ukraine needs to find a new strategy and make a fundamental choice. 

Ukraine's parliamentary elections on Sunday (28 October) and its presidential elections in 2015 will have a defining impact on the choice of the road that Ukraine will take and whether that road leads to deeper integration into Europe.

Opposition leaders need to understand that the upcoming election offers a historic opportunity to reach a consensus among all actors of the democratic opposition. They have seen one of the leaders of the Orange Revolution, Viktor Yushchenko, first poisoned during the revolution and now politically sidelined, following his presidency (2005-10); the other, Yulia Tymoshenko, is now in prison. If, despite this, they fail to reach an agreement, they will not be able to counter the worst: a constitutional majority of the Party of the Regions in Verkhovna Rada.

Ukraine, the biggest country within the EU's Eastern Partnership, appears not to be taking into consideration that its choices – now and in 2015 – will have an impact on the geopolitics of the entire region, from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea. The region's future, its stability (both geostrategic and civilisational), and its long-term pro-EU choice depends to a large extent on the choices made by Ukraine.

Ukraine is tempted to play it both ways. A balancing act between east and west, between the Eurasian Union and the European Union, has not only been considered but also put into practice. Contorted tactics and the absence of a uniform strategy: these are characteristics of the way that the Ukrainian authorities work. They are based on four principles, all of them well understood by EU officials.

The first principle is promise Europe and Russia everything that they want to hear.

The second is in return, demand concessions, licences and market access, financial aid and advantageous gas prices.

Thirdly, cash in licences but do not rush to fulfil your commitments.

Fourthly, if Russia or the EU raise concerns, blackmail them by threatening to tighten relations with the other one.

This is the classic pattern of Ukraine's two-vector policy, a policy that amounts to toying with her suitors. These tactics worked for some time. But that time is long gone – and will never return. Because of the meandering course that it has taken, Ukraine has lost its credibility in the eyes of the EU.

Read more: Ukraine's choice: between East and West | European Voice

France, Germany celebrate friendship amid crisis

Chancellor Angela Merkel and resident Francois Hollande

The leaders of France and Germany joined in a symbolic celebration of unity on Sunday, hailing a relationship that has brought peace to Europe for 50 years but must now prove it can survive its most serious crisis to date.

Taking a pause from more than two years of constant crisis management that has strained Franco-German ties, President Francois Hollande welcomed his German counterpart, Chancellor Angela Merkel, to the city of Reims in eastern France.

The event replicated an encounter in 1962 between former French president Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, when the two leaders enshrined Franco-German ties in a city that once bore the brunt of shelling in World War One.

Read more: France, Germany celebrate friendship amid crisis- swissinfo