European Union, member states and Agencies

[SolarisKenzo]

As a result of the tragic 2015 European migrant crisis, the European Union decided to create its first Standing Corp: The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, also known as Frontex ( wich was the name of the previous agency that was replaced ).

Frontex | European Union Agency

Frontex promotes, coordinates and develops European border management in line with the EU fundamental rights charter applying the concept of Integrated Border Management.

frontex.europa.eu

Frontex is de iure and de facto a Federal Agency, with its own standing corp and officers.
Its HQ is in Warsaw.
While being almost unknown outside of the EU, Frontex is the fastest growing European agency, and will grow by 1000 new officers every year, to reach a standing force of 10 000 officers in 2027.
The first two classes of European officers already completed their training in various Police schools of the EU, wearing the European Union uniform.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1603790004328796163

FRONTEX is also equipped with its own vehicles, planes and UAV.



FRONTEX is also at the center of heavy allegations, ranging from alleged crimes against migrants to being unable to regulate migration flows.
The Agency is now being deployed mainly in the Mediterranean area to counter illegal immigration from Africa ( with little success, actuall ) and at the eastern flank of the EU, to help regulate the flow of refugees from Ukraine, but also to patrol the borders with Belarus and Russia.

All pics Frontex.eu

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Frontex released the EU annual border recap

EU’s external borders in 2022: Number of irregular border crossings highest since 2016

More than 330 000 illegal border crossings estimated in 2022, with the vast majority from the western and eastern Balkans.
Being countries surrounded by the EU, the western balkans are a very complicated region. They are basically " inside " the Union and have many railways, roads and Borders shared with the Union.

Of course, not every illegal border crossing means an illegal person living in the EU.
Most of the crossings from western balkans are estimated to be cheap workforce, seasonal workers, relatives of people already living in the EU.

The situation of the african front Is quite different.
Almost every crossing equals to a new migrant in the EU.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Last report made by the EU Commission on the Ukrainian refugees currently inside the Union.



4 millions ukrainians are currently displaced in the EU, the vast majority of them being women and children.
Refugees are gradually being distributed inside the Union to better integrate them and avoid concentrations.
Eastern states still hosts the majority of them.
More than 730 000 Ukrainian children have already been integrated in member states school system.

Migration management: Welcoming refugees from Ukraine

Following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the EU responded rapidly and showed solidarity in action by helping people in need. This included direct humanitarian aid, emergency civil protection assistance, as well as granting protection to those fleeing the war.

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu

 

[SolarisKenzo]

On the 1st of February the Quirinal Treaty has entered into force, binding Italy-France relations for an indefinite time.

Some of the main points of the Treaty, which now binds two of the biggest EU states, are:
- Geopolitical and Military cooperation at the highest level, with joint procurement and joint decision making. Italian and French defence ministers and military leaders will meet every week to share the strategic view.
- Industrial, economical and digital cooperation at a strategic level. Both countries aim is to create a EU strategic autonomy.
- Common approach on Space, research and development matters.

Practically, this will mean that:
- Countries will hold joint council of ministers and government.
- Joint military procurement and training. Joint operations and missions.
- Industrial cooperation and companies merging.

The Quirinal Treaty: How France and Italy can promote environmental action and European sovereignty

More structured dialogue between France and Italy could prove useful to both countries – and to the wider European project

ecfr.eu

 

[SolarisKenzo]

The European Union is currently going through what is considered by many both the most difficult and most important phase of its life.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, the EU saw two-decades of giant steps forward, starting from the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 ( That created the EU as it is today ) to the Lisbon Treaty in 2007-2009 that enhanced the powers and competences of the EU institutions.
From the original Rome Treaty in 1957, that created the EEC ( European Economic Community ), many things changed.

But European history didnt always go forward.
After the economic crisis in 2008 - 2014, the rise of nationalists and populists movements slowed down the integration process started by the EU and the Union itself saw many risks to its stability.
The peak was reached in 2016, when the british people voted to leave the EU, in what was called BREXIT.
The Pandemic could have been the end of the european integration process, it could have been the fatal hit.
Instead, the EU was able to use this tragic event to launch a new wave of EU reforms and to unite the european people again.
And then came the war, for the first time in 70, a war of aggression on european soil.

What I'd like to explain in this post, to all of those viewers and members that are not European and cannot fully understand what is the EU going thru right now, is how is the European Union quietly but seriously preparing for a final phase of integration that will eventually lead to an EU supremacy on its member states.

These are, in no particular order, the acts and proposals ( some already effective, some approved but not effective yet, some only proposed ) that the EU is working on right now.

THE EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNTY FUND
The EU is working on a sovereign fund, that will finally make the Union itself able to finance unional and member states program, which will lead to the member states losing part of their economical and financial autonomy, that is already limited.
Press corner

THE INTEROPERABLE EUROPE ACT
The Interoperable Europe Act proposes to introduced a structured and co-owned EU cooperation framework for public administrations with these pillars: An interoperable EU board, mandatory interoperable and integrated services and assessments, common regulation.
Interoperable Europe Act Proposal

THE EUROPEAN DIGITAL IDENTITY AND DRIVING LICENSE
The EU already has a european ID and driving licenses, but great autonomy is given to member states. This will be fixed and an-EU agency will control how IDs and licenses are released and managed.
European Digital Identity
European Commission proposes updated requirements for driving licences and better cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules

THE DIGITAL SERVICES ACT
The DSA aims to create a safe and EU-managed digital world, where companies that provides services are required to meet many european-laws criteria if they want to operate in the european market. This includes, for example, direct EU control on stored datas, mandatory reports on the companies revenues and on their customers accounts.

The Digital Services Act package

The Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act aim to create a safer digital space where the fundamental rights of users are protected and to establish a level playing field for businesses.

digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu

THE FOREIGN SUBSIDIES REGULATION
Thanks to the FSR, or Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the European Commission will have wide and direct power over financial contributions granted by non-EU entities, so that the EU will be able to have more direct control over the member states activities.

Foreign Subsidies Regulation

Foreign subsidies

competition-policy.ec.europa.eu

THE STRATEGIC COMPASS
The EU approved its Strategic Compass, a paper that defines EUs strategic ambitions and the need for a wide and fast military and strategic integration and autonomy.

The Strategic Compass of the European Union

The Strategic Compass of the European Union, what it means to EU and non-EU firms and entities

www.strategic-compass-european-union.com

I know many of you probably are not interested, and you have all the reasons, being the situation in the Indo-Pacific particularly complex.
But I hope this could clarify some mistakes that are often made when trying to understand what we mean when we say " European Union".
Much more has to be done before the EU can play the role of a real Political Power, but they are trying to start this process, even after all the difficulties.

Thanks.

 

[Redshift]

The European Union is currently going through what is considered by many both the most difficult and most important phase of its life.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, the EU saw two-decades of giant steps forward, starting from the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 ( That created the EU as it is today ) to the Lisbon Treaty in 2007-2009 that enhanced the powers and competences of the EU institutions.
From the original Rome Treaty in 1957, that created the EEC ( European Economic Community ), many things changed.

But European history didnt always go forward.
After the economic crisis in 2008 - 2014, the rise of nationalists and populists movements slowed down the integration process started by the EU and the Union itself saw many risks to its stability.
The peak was reached in 2016, when the british people voted to leave the EU, in what was called BREXIT.
The Pandemic could have been the end of the european integration process, it could have been the fatal hit.
Instead, the EU was able to use this tragic event to launch a new wave of EU reforms and to unite the european people again.
And then came the war, for the first time in 70, a war of aggression on european soil.

What I'd like to explain in this post, to all of those viewers and members that are not European and cannot fully understand what is the EU going thru right now, is how is the European Union quietly but seriously preparing for a final phase of integration that will eventually lead to an EU supremacy on its member states.

These are, in no particular order, the acts and proposals ( some already effective, some approved but not effective yet, some only proposed ) that the EU is working on right now.

THE EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNTY FUND
The EU is working on a sovereign fund, that will finally make the Union itself able to finance unional and member states program, which will lead to the member states losing part of their economical and financial autonomy, that is already limited.
Press corner

THE INTEROPERABLE EUROPE ACT
The Interoperable Europe Act proposes to introduced a structured and co-owned EU cooperation framework for public administrations with these pillars: An interoperable EU board, mandatory interoperable and integrated services and assessments, common regulation.
Interoperable Europe Act Proposal

THE EUROPEAN DIGITAL IDENTITY AND DRIVING LICENSE
The EU already has a european ID and driving licenses, but great autonomy is given to member states. This will be fixed and an-EU agency will control how IDs and licenses are released and managed.
European Digital Identity
European Commission proposes updated requirements for driving licences and better cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules

THE DIGITAL SERVICES ACT
The DSA aims to create a safe and EU-managed digital world, where companies that provides services are required to meet many european-laws criteria if they want to operate in the european market. This includes, for example, direct EU control on stored datas, mandatory reports on the companies revenues and on their customers accounts.

The Digital Services Act package

The Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act aim to create a safer digital space where the fundamental rights of users are protected and to establish a level playing field for businesses.

digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu

THE FOREIGN SUBSIDIES REGULATION
Thanks to the FSR, or Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the European Commission will have wide and direct power over financial contributions granted by non-EU entities, so that the EU will be able to have more direct control over the member states activities.

Foreign Subsidies Regulation

Foreign subsidies

competition-policy.ec.europa.eu

THE STRATEGIC COMPASS
The EU approved its Strategic Compass, a paper that defines EUs strategic ambitions and the need for a wide and fast military and strategic integration and autonomy.

The Strategic Compass of the European Union

The Strategic Compass of the European Union, what it means to EU and non-EU firms and entities

www.strategic-compass-european-union.com

I know many of you probably are not interested, and you have all the reasons, being the situation in the Indo-Pacific particularly complex.
But I hope this could clarify some mistakes that are often made when trying to understand what we mean when we say " European Union".
Much more has to be done before the EU can play the role of a real Political Power, but they are trying to start this process, even after all the difficulties.

Thanks.

Sadly it will be easier for the EU to act now that my country has left.

The UK was never going to support the closer political ties needed for the EU to function properly in this manner.

So many politicians on the right, and our frothy right wing tabloid press hated the entire EU institution.

 

[SolarisKenzo]

Sadly it will be easier for the EU to act now that my country has left.

The UK was never going to support the closer political ties needed for the EU to function properly in this manner.

So many politicians on the right, and our frothy right wing tabloid press hated the entire EU institution.

I do agree that without the UK and with the EU now being basically a Continental Europe block, it will be probably easier to get things done...

 

[ngatimozart]

Sir Humphrey sums up the UK - EU situation brilliantly.

 

[Ananda]

To sum it up Brexit really against British interest as Sir Humphrey already put eloquently: " We must be inside to mess it up".

 

[Redshift]

To sum it up Brexit really against British interest as Sir Humphrey already put eloquently: " We must be inside to mess it up".

It is a totally awful result for the UK.

 

[Meriv90]

Sir Humphrey sums up the UK - EU situation brilliantly.

Worked so well that during Berlusconi presidency before Germans got Schröder reforms, in place of pushing towards an unified Europe, thus changing things like the dublin treaty, pushed for more integration in fiscal policy etc... etc....
....we allied with the UK.... completely wasting the opportunity when Germany was still the "sick man of Europe".
In early 2000s it was Belgium that used to receive ten of thousands of Afghans we could have already leveraged this to change Dublin treaty that is so problematic right now.
Chapeau on the British divide and conquer they are the masters of it.