Something is rotten in the state of...Europe

Few days ago, I was reading an online Newspaper and I was quite surprised that in the same day two articles about Europe were published. The first was talking about how EU is strong now, after such a difficult year. The other one was showing the exactly opposite thesis.

The truth is the nobody really knows how EU is now and how it will be in the short-term.

Catalonia, immigration, Brexit are just some of the topics that demonstrate how far we are from a real Union of States.

But going deeper, there are much bigger problems that Europe will have to face next year.

The continue dispute between Poland and Eu could begin a lacerating struggle among the States. 

Austria new young Prime minister is expression of a xenophobic party and is leading a coalition with the ultra-right. This could also bring to further division in Europe, especially on the topic of immigration.

A big question mark is representing the coming elections in Italy, that could bring an Euro-skeptical Party (the Movimento 5 Stelle) at the lead of the Government.

Last but not least, the most important European leader, Angela Merkel, has lost power after the recent German elections.

I doubt the next year will be a moment of important decisions for European Union. 

But let's be positive ;)

Happy new year! 

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The 3 guys who made the "Catalonia Affair" a giant mistake

2017 has seen one of the worst and unreasonable political crisis in Europe since over 20 years: the Catalonia claim of independence.

We have seen the tension before and during the referendum, we have seen the dispute between Rajoy and Puigdemont, the declaration of Independence, the suspension of Catalonia autonomy and the new elections, that showed just yesterday how people are divided. What a mess!

This crisis has been managed badly from all the parties, especially from 3 persons, that have showed a very low political leadership and lack of vision.

First of the list Mariano Rajoy. If you are at the head of the Government of such a big and important Country like Spain, you cannot act like Independentists do not exist. If Catalonia government is issuing a will of independence that brings to a referendum, you really cannot ignore them. Furthermore, what happened during the referendum with the police has convinced many people to vote for going out from Spain. Instead of going for dialogue, Rajoy decided to increase the tension adopting a very short-sighet perspective.

The second responsible of this chaos is Carles Puigdemont. How can you lead a strategic region like Catalonia and arrive to a referendum for an independence that nobody (European Union first) would never accept? Politics is first of all being realistic, and he hasn't be at all.

Third in the list, the King Felipe VI. Just after the referendum, he had the chance to bring stability back in Spain and to represent also the Catalans that peacefully went to vote for the independence. He could be the warrant of the Constitution and of the rights of all of his citizens. He decided for the opposite way attacking Catalonia Independentist, not following - for instance - the King of another country strongly divided like Belgium.

3 weak leaders, huge mistakes and one certainty after the referendum: "Catalonia Affair" is far to end.

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Why don't we talk about Venezuela?

I didn't hear a lot about Venezuela recently, but the crisis that this Country is crossing since few years is astonishing.

Chavez used the funds coming from the oil (whose Venezuela is one of the most important exporter) to finance a strong social program.

The problems started when the oil price fall down of over 50%. Inflation increased and the successor of Chavez, the current President Maduro, has been not able to solve the situation, generating also political conflicts.

In 2015 due to the crisis, the Venezuelan economy contracted 5.7% and in 2016 it contracted by 18.6% according to the Venezuelan central bank. It is impressive the raise of inflation: in 2014 it reached 69% and it was the highest in the world. By 2015, inflation was 181% and 800% in 2016.

The consequences of this crisis have been devastating for the society. Following the Encuesta Nacional de Condiciones de Vida (Encovi), in 2016 the 32,5% of population had 2 or less meals per day (3 times more than in 2015). Over 50% of the population lives in poverty and the Ministry of Health has declared that over 11 thousands children with less that one year old died in 2016 for lack of medicines.

The numbers are impressive, as much as the fact that we don't talk enough about one of most critical situation in the World from political and economic point of view.

For more information, I suggest this article from Aljazeera.

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The Trump mess about Jerusalem

We didn't get exactly why, but it is almost unanimously recognized that the choice of the US President to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (and consequently moving the Embassy from Tel Aviv), is making an unnecessary confusion in the weak balance in the Middle-Est.

Israel declared in 1980 Jerusalem as his own capital, but nobody followed this declaration. Furthermore, Israel is occupying illegally East Jerusalem (after the 6-days was of 1967).

Some fights have been already took place in Gaza Strip, and Hamas has already talked about the third Intifada.

Many people lives are in danger, for a decision taken by an Administration that has lost (or has never had) any clear foreign policy (and it seems that another important member of the Administration, Dina Powell, the US President’s deputy national security adviser, will quit the administration early next year).

In the meantime, in Europe, Czech Republic has been the first Country to positively react to the Trump choice. Also Prague government will move the Embassy in the future to Jerusalem, but with the statement that the Holy City could be also the capital of the future Palestine State.

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5 things you should definetely know about Rohingya

I bet that many of you never heard the word "Rohingya" before few months ago.

Rohingya refugees near the Naf River, which separates Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Villages in Myanmar burned in the background.

Now that even Pope went to meet some of them (without pronouncing their name...), it should be necessary to have some basic information about them and about the reasons why the crisis that affects Rohingya is becoming a political and social shame for all the World.

1. Who are Rohingya?

The Rohingya people are a Muslim minority group residing in the Rakhine state, formerly known as Arakan (west State of Myamar).

2. Which is their status?

The Rohingya people are considered “stateless entities”, as the Myanmar government has been refusing to recognize them as one of the ethnic groups of the country. This means they don't have rights and they cannot legally move anywhere without permission.

3. Why did they have to move?

In 2016 hundreds of unidentified insurgents attacked three Burmese border posts along Myanmar's border with Bangladesh. The answer of the Army has been tough and constantly increasing with an escalation of violence, rapes, destruction. This situation pushed Rohingya to move to Bangladesh.

4. Where is the Rohingya Camp in Bangladesh?

Over 600 thousands people arrived in Bangladesh. Yes... 600 tousands, like the population of the entire city of Bratislava or Palermo. The biggest camp is in Cox's Bazar. 

5. What is the position of Aung San Suu Kyi (Nobel Peace Prize 1991) ?

Impressively, she didn't take any specific action to stop the military action in Rakhine state. It is not clear why: personal reasons, political pressure, military power? What is clear is that she is the only person who could do something to end this crisis.

Note to the readers - as this is a small blog, this post doesn't represent a deep research about the wide topic of Rohingya crisis. You can find more information in this article of NY Times.

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NotonlyEurope Chapter II - Note to the reader

My DEAR READERS,

I know I didn't publish almost anything in 2017, focus of many other things.

But I have decided no to let this blog die. So I am back!

Many things happened this year, from Trump to the crisis in Catalonia, passing by what is going on in Asia.

I will try to have a new format: shorter and more personal.

Keep reading!

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Can Trump be the new "glue" of Europe?

Trump is the 45th President of United States. 

We cannot predict what he will do, but for sure he will have a totally different approach of his predecessor and for sure his Presidency will have a huge impact in the World.

Definitely huge effects are expected in the relation between US and Europe. Few days ago Trump attacked the European Union institution, pointed out the uselessness of NATO, stated the will to improve the relations with Russia and drafted an economic policy based on autarchy more than on globalization.

Under those considerations, which Europe can we expect in the next 4 years?

Few points should be highlighted.

First, the declarations of Trump had the effect to compact the Eu Leaders. The pride to be Europeans came up suddenly. We love to criticize Eu, but sometimes we are also able to see how positive can be, and we will probably see it more after Brexit.

Second, and this can be considered a good news, the TTIP seems definitely over. New US President wants to renegotiate even NAFTA, o we cannot expect free trade agreement with Europe and it is probably better for us. 

Third, if Trump will go ahead with a release from NATO of US, countries like Poland or Baltic States will be somehow forced to get closer to Eu. And Eu will be forced to take care by herself about the security of the Region.

We are already missing Obama, probably not so much for what he really did, but for what he represented. But maybe this change will give new life to Europe and, this is my wish, we will see a united power trying to fight against terrorism, iniquity, social conflicts.

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