After a sleepy summer, Brussels is a hive of activity. The European Parliament is open again playing catch up on August’s busy news cycle.
From security guarantees for Ukraine to the historic Mercosur trade deal, panellists Steven Everts, the head of the European Union Institute for Security Studies, Maria Tadeo, European analyst with Le Grand Continent and Austrian Green MEP Thomas Waitz had a lot to discuss.
Ongoing war in Ukraine
All agreed that Europe needs to step up now to support Ukraine and put more pressure on Russia to stop the fighting.
“The scenario that we were going to end up in a relatively quick ceasefire and then a bigger peace deal I think is moving further away,” said Steven Everts adding that Brussels should “persuade” Donald Trump of the insincerity of Vladimir Putin.
Waitz said relying on the Trump administration to help end a European war is a mistake. He said its high time for Europe to take charge of its own destiny.
“We have to admit that we were not ambitious enough,” quipped Waitz. “We were not sharp enough.”
The Green politician regretted that Europe did not provide medium range missiles to Ukraine on time, so now they have to build them themselves.
EU-Mercosur agreement – A cause for celebration or fear?
More big news this week came on Wednesday when the Commission approved the final texts of the EU-Mercosur and EU-Mexico trade deals. After years of negotiations and stopping and starting, Brussels said the arrangement would “save companies 4 billion euros worth in export duties per year”. Maria Tadeo – who has been following the talks for years – welcomed the news but said it would be a hard sell for governments.
“The problem is, and perhaps that’s the legacy also of the 25 years in the making, is that Mercosur has a very, very negative connotation for the farming community,” said Tadeo. “It’s almost like toxic.”
For Thomas Waitz, an organic farmer turned politician, the EU will have to protect quality production when implementing the deal and protect local farmers from unfair competition.
“Today already, we’re losing 800 farms a day in the European Union.” he said. “You can’t neglect that.”
All eyes on France
Meanwhile, the panel reflected on the political chaos in France that is causing recession fears in Europe’s second biggest economy. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou faces a vote of confidence early next week. Tadeo said it’s clear the government will collapse.
“It’s also clear that when it comes to passing a budget, his hands are tied,” Tadeo said. “We also see that there’s a real fiscal story that has to be addressed in terms of the spending of this country.”
Thomas Waitz said things look really bad for French President Macron.
“He (Macron) is a king without the country more and more,” said Waitz. “He’s good on the international level, but he’s messing it up back home.”
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