PREFACE/ISSUE
It was supposed to be just a new European nations club...
20 Sept 2022 - UK considers joining new European nations club
The UK is weighing up whether to attend a new European political "club of nations" next month.
The first meeting of the "European Political Community" is due to be held in Prague in early October.
26 Sept 2022, Monday - Nordstream pipelines are attacked.
30 Sept 2022 - Liz Truss to attend first meeting of European nations club
[MRT: What happened before 30th of September that she finally agreed to attend?]
1 Oct 2022 - For the European Political Community, meeting is the message
European Union leaders will discuss the security of crucial infrastructure when they meet in Prague next week following damage to the Nord Stream pipelines that many in the West have said was caused by sabotage.
[MRT: How can one say it was a ´sabotage´without knowing who did it and motives?]
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was tied up with a crucial parliamentary debate at home, bringing the number of leaders down to 43 from the originally envisaged 44.
[MRT: It is possible that Mette Frederiksen did not want to do anything with this or has already been onboard and considered the decision done deal. Or? See here.]
1 Oct 2022 - EU: Ursula von der Leyen, @vonderleyen: The task ahead of us is clear.
We need to reduce energy costs, while preserving a level-playing field in our single market.We have to do this as Europeans, jointly, through a common solution.This is what we will discuss in Prague with #EUCO leaders.
3 Oct 2022 - NOR: Jonas Gahr Støre: Pleased to talk to @vonderleyen. Agree that the sabotage actions against #Nordstream is unacceptable, and that high energy prices is a challenge for our continent. Norway will remain a reliable provider of energy for the EU.
3 Oct 2022 - Joint statement by Ministers of the Joint Expeditionary Force (UK led subNATO group)
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace met virtually with ministers from Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) partner nations to discuss attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
[MRT: The investigation has found possible attempt by the UK to get JEF involved before Article 5 was triggered.]
The JEF condemns in the strongest terms the reckless sabotage in the Baltic Sea.
[MRT: Is the Condemnation the ONLY punishment? No decision for payment, accountability? No statement on proper investigation? Affair touched core JEF security!]
It is discussing security responses, including increased maritime presence and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance activities. It will seek to deter further such acts, reassure allies and demonstrate collective commitment to the security and stability of the region.
[MRT: Deterring possible Russian retaliatory response is not increasing security but postponing the issue some time into the future while jointly covering up the perpetrator.]
Ministers discussed increasing shared intelligence assessments to ensure common situational awareness, as well as cooperation to secure critical infrastructure.
[MRT: Some pipelines are just more equal than others.]
The JEF will ensure complementarity, alignment and transparency with NATO as well as the investigation led by Danish, Swedish and German authorities.
[MRT: Transparency within NATO speaks volume it was a member of NATO who did it and promised no more such attacks.]
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace added:
In this period of heightened concern for all like-minded partner nations, it is right that we act with speed, agility and collective resolve to actively demonstrate our shared commitment to mutual security.
[MRT: The statement of "all like-minded partner nations" could mean that "those partners who also considered that Nordstream must go]
[M: The UK is the prime suspect, it still can "condemn the blatant sabotage" and be the perpetrator explaining that there was no other way how to stop Russia, punish it, hurt it financially so its war efforts are diminished, to hurt it financially was a necessity, explaining how they have prepared and are ready to balance, help allies,... /s]
4 Oct 2022 - FRA/EU: Ursula von der Leyen - Thank you @emmanuelmacron for this excellent meeting before the first informal #EPC & #EUCO in Prague this week.
We work on solutions 🇪🇺 to protect households and businesses from high energy prices, support competitiveness & protect the single market.
5 Oct 2022 - RU: TASS, @tassagency_en: The EU countries will have to face the truth
and admit that they were betrayed by their allies in the situation involving the Nord Stream incidents, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on her Telegram channel
5 Oct 2022 - RU: TASS, @tassagency_en: Press review:
Russian top court okays accession and chances to revive Nord Stream revealed
5 Oct 2022 - US: considering offering to analyse underwater audio recordings to aid Nord Stream pipeline sabotage investigations
The US Navy’s processing of the sonar signatures – the term for the unique underwater sounds – provided by Sweden and Denmark could boost the investigations by providing a more detailed picture of what was in the area at the time of the pipeline explosions and what caused them, sources said...
Each type of underwater machinery like submarines, torpedoes and vessel engines makes a unique sound that is called a “sonar signature,” and the US has an extensive library of these sounds.
[MRT: So there exists a SWE/DK recording of the underwater vessel - sub, mini-sub, drone which obviously id the deed shortly before the explossion. Note that both SWE and DK ships were in the area the week before]
6 Oct 2022 - SWE: Swedish authorities announced on October 6 they
...had conducted an underwater inspection of the site and collected "pieces of evidence". Meanwhile, Danish police on Tuesday said they had completed several inspections of the leaks in the Danish zone, together with the intelligence service PET.
Another probable cause, according to a British military source, is that the Russians special ops may have discreetly laid mines from a disguised commercial vessel and detonated them days or weeks later.
6 Oct 2022 - DK: Europe's new 44-nation club underlines Russia's isolation[MRT: British military sources shall not be considered unbiased. The UK´s Special Boat Services is the prime suspect. It is odd that They blame the victim of the terrorist act., Diplomacy, Stockholm syndrome, Denial or Cover-up?]
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was tied up with a crucial parliamentary debate at home, bringing the number of leaders down to 43 from the originally envisaged 44.
[MRT: Or perhaps she did not want to see Truss after they met in London a few days earlier on Mette Fredriksen´s first trip after Nordstream was blown up?]
6 Oct 2022 - UK: Liz Truss: Security, energy and migration are three of the most urgent priorities for the British people, so they are top of my agenda too. That’s why I am travelling to Prague for today’s European leaders’ meeting.
These vital issues affect the whole of our continent, so it is right that we find common cause with our European friends and allies. It’s also why we want to see a strong voice for non-EU countries like Ukraine, Norway and Switzerland.A post-Brexit Britain, as an independent country outside the EU, should be involved in discussions that affect the entire continent and all of us here at home. We are taking part as an independent sovereign nation, and we will act as one...
I want to see concrete action and delivery on three key priorities.
First, we must ensure that Putin is defeated.
[The meeting is about energy security not about Urainian Russian conflict]
Second, we must end our addiction to Russian hydrocarbons... It is right that we talk with our European allies about how we do that collectively. Putin is hoping he can divide us in a scramble for energy supplies. We must show him that he is wrong.
Together, we will deter any threat to underwater pipelines.
[MRT: NOR OM recently stated that there was no threat to pipelines. Does this mean that the UK is worrying about its energy security? The UK and NOR were lately conductig naval operations in protection of therir pipelines, the Uk is their main customer. Is there a retaliatiry threat by Russia?]
6 Oct 2022 - UK: Prime Minister urges Europe to ‘stand firm’ against Russian aggression ahead of regional summitWe must also act now to make sure we are never in this position again. We must usher in a new era of European energy independence
[MRT: As the head of UK´s military the UK´s Prime Minister Liz Truss is the prime suspect of the act. Suggesting Europe to stand together implies that not all Eropeans were of the same opinion how the issue should be handled. Note the many serious UK´s Government many anti-Nordstream statements in 2022]
Prime Minister Liz Truss to attend European leaders’ meeting in Prague to galvanise the response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
[MRT: Galvanizing the response to Ukrainian war? It was said the meeting was about European energy in/security. Galvanizing response looks like the management of the affair, to deny and blame Russia for the war in Ukraine regardless of the terrorist act on the European Key infrastructure.]
The Prime Minister will urge leaders to stand united in the face of Russian aggression as Europe faces “its biggest crisis since the Second World War”, when she addresses a regional summit in the Czech Republic today [6th October].
[MRT: If the crisis was so serious, why was she hesitating to attend in the first place? Or perhaps she was not invited until it was decided she was invited?]
In a series of bilateral meetings and plenary sessions in Prague, the Prime Minister will encourage countries to go further and faster to end Europe’s reliance on Russian hydrocarbons and “usher in a new era of resilience and independence.”¨
[MRT: SERIES OF BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH THE UK? Oh!]
She will call on leaders to commit at the summit to keeping gas and electricity interconnectors open this winter and is expected to hold talks on joint projects to develop new nuclear and offshore wind capacity.
[MRT:Why would they do it? After Brexit the UK experienced serious energy insecurity problem and started to lose exonomically as rest of Europe was getting cheaper Russian energy - see here]
[M: Well, the UK after Brexit was kicked out joint energy market mechanism. The destruction of Nordstream enables to get back in. Wind power could not be sold to EU markets unless WOULD EU be supplied by cheaper energy from Russia.]
She says were working with our partners around the world to improve our energy security and stand up to Putin´s appalling war in Ukraine
6 Oct 2022 - FRA/GER/DUT: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrive at the informal EU summit in Prague.
6 Oct 2022 - NOR/EU: EU and Norway agree ‘joint tools’ to tackle Europe’s gas crisis
Arriving at the Prague summit, Poland’s prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki said“it cannot be the case that the EU’s energy policy is dictated by Germany”.Ahead of the meeting, Truss said it was a chance to “find common cause with our European friends and allies” as they try to defeat Russian president Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.Charles Michel, president of the European Council, hailed the event as “extremely important”. The meeting would “try to renew the co-ordination and co-operation in order to have more stability, more security, more peace”, he said.As he arrived at Prague castle, Emmanuel Macron, president of France, said the summit sent a “message of unity”, but went on to criticise the planned gas pipeline connecting Spain and France, which Germany wants to see built in order to access the Iberian gas market.While British officials were keen to steer clear of Brexit, Mark Rutte, prime minister of Netherlands, told reporters on Thursday: “The relationship between the UK and the EU will be on the agenda.”
Security, energy and migration are three of the most urgent priorities for the British people, so they are top of my agenda too. That’s why I am travelling to Prague for today’s European leaders’ meeting.
[MRT: What are the other top agenda items?]
Today’s meeting is not an EU construct or an EU alternative. I am very clear about that. It brings together governments from across Europe, around a third of whom are outside the EU. A post-Brexit Britain, as an independent country outside the EU, should be involved in discussions that affect the entire continent and all of us here at home. We are taking part as an independent sovereign nation, and we will act as one.
[MRT:Nordstream was destroyed by a state with significant resources, single actor, not USA, not Russia and not pro-Ukrainian group]
Brexit was never about the UK stepping away from our proud and historic role as a leading nation in the region and beyond. We always believed we would find new ways of working that reflected our shared values and interests.
Our actions in Ukraine have shown this to be true. No European country has done more than the UK to arm the Ukrainians in their fight for freedom and to lead the imposition of economic sanctions on Russia. Yet our actions are all the stronger because of the way that we collaborated with our European friends.
Working with our allies and friends we will:
- Ensure Putin’s war in Ukraine fails
- End our reliance on Russian energy
- Step up our response to illegal migration
PM Liz Truss says the UK is facing a "very difficult economic situation" and that it is important that she is in Prague at the European Political Community meeting to deal with 'these very real issues'
and tackling the criminal gangs that traffic people across Europe are priorities that President @EmmanuelMacron and I share. Good to agree closer cooperation on these areas with our French friends today.
6 Oct 2022 - CZE/EUROPE: Meeting of the European Political Community
The first meeting of the European Political Community brought together leaders from across the continent in a spirit of unity on 6 October 2022 in Prague, ahead of the informal meeting of EU heads of state or government.
The European Political Community aims to: foster political dialogue and cooperation to address issues of common interest, strengthen the security, stability and prosperity of the European continent.
On the sidelines of today’s European Political Community summit, Scholz will hold bilateral meetings with U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss 🇬🇧, Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić 🇷🇸 and Norway’s Jonas Gahr Støre 🇳🇴.
6 Oct 2022 - NOR/EU: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with European Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen at the European Summit in Prague. © Tone Hertzberg / Prime Minister's Office
6 Oct 2022 - PL/GER: Watch Prime Minister @MorawieckiM 's message to Germany ahead of the informal #EUCO summit in Prague
My message to Germany... is... eh.. ..be united with .... a ... be... be solidar with all the others because during difficult times everybody has to agree on common denominator.. ..and not this denominator which is suitable only to one country.
6 Oct 2022 - PL: PM @MorawieckiM after the #EuropeanPoliticalCommunity summit in Prague:
We want the European Union to be not only an economic area that serves all Member States but also to build a security area on its borders. That is why we have met here today.
6 Oct 2022 - NOR/PL: During the European Political Community summit in Prague,
PM @MorawieckiM met with PM of Norway @jonasgahrstore.
with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte at the European Political Community in Prague.
6 Oct 2022 - PL: PM On the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Prague,
PM @MorawieckiM met with British PM @trussliz #EuropeanPoliticalCommunity
but today we all want to put this Russian gas and raw materials into the past in solidarity. It is not only sanctions. It is a step towards building a world without war, independent of these resources.
6 Oct 2022 - NED: Ollongren: 'European defense cooperation is absolutely necessary'
“It is time to show ambition and ensure that Europe remains safe.”"Europe is still far too dependent on the United States. “But what if the US gets a less pro-European president in the next elections? Europe must be able to take more responsibility for its own security. The Americans also ask that of us. We need a strong NATO and a strong EU.”
an important signal of European unity in the face of Russian aggression. The opportunity to strengthen Belgium's ties with countries like the UK and Turkey, key partners in our security, trade and energy.
[MRT: Why would there be disunity? There is not much mentioning of more peaceful position of Hungary or Slovakia.]
6 Oct 2022 - FRA: France's Macron says he's glad to see Britain's Liz Truss at European summit
"It's very good to have Liz Truss in Prague," Macron said in a news conference after the inaugural summit of the European Political Community, a brainchild of Macron, which comes after Britain left the EU
"This is an island, but this island didn't move from the continent," Macron said of Britain. "I really hope this is the beginning of the day after."
[MRT: Day after what specifically?]
Liz Truss has said that Emmanuel Macron is a friend of Britain, having declared during the summer that "the jury's out" on whether the French president was a friend or foe."I work very, very closely with President Macron and the French government and what we’re talking about is how the UK and France can work more closely together to build more nuclear power stations and to make sure that both countries have energy security in the future," the British prime minister told reporters in Prague, where she has been attending the first summit of the European Political Community.When asked whether the French leader was a friend, she replied: "He is a friend."
[MRT: I guess friends do not talk bad if that could cause harm to them - security issue.]
"We’re both very clear the foe is Vladimir Putin, who has through his appalling war in Ukraine threatened freedom and democracy in Europe and pushed up energy prices," Truss went on..."This is an island, but this island didn't move from the continent," Macron said of post-Brexit Britain. "I really hope this is the beginning of the day after."
[MRT: Day after what specifically?]
Prime Minister Liz Truss and President Emmanuel Macron met in the margins of the first Summit of the European Political Community in Prague.
The President and the Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong and historic ties between their two countries. They agreed to hold the next UK-France Summit in 2023 in France to take forward a renewed bilateral agenda.
[M: why do allies need to ensure their friendship? What if UK blew up Nordstream where FRA is a shareholder? Would this explain the choice of the meeting words?]
Energy transition and decoupling from Russian hydro-carbons are common challenges. The Prime Minister and the President discussed advancing bilateral cooperation in particular on energy. They reaffirmed their belief that both renewable and nuclear energies are part of consistent strategies to achieve energy transition and strategic autonomy.
[M: Liz Truss words sinc with UK statements about ending European reliance on Russian hydrocarbons - post here]
They confirmed the full support of the UK and French Governments for the new nuclear power station at Sizewell and expect the relevant bodies to finalise arrangements in the coming month.
and tackling the criminal gangs that traffic people across Europe are priorities that President @EmmanuelMacron and I share.
Good to agree closer cooperation on these areas with our French friends today.
6 Oct 2022 - UK Gov: Meeting European leaders in Prague today,
... the Prime Minister welcomed the strong show of unity against Russian aggression.
The UK will continue to work with our allies to secure our energy supply, tackle people smuggling gangs and stand up to despots.
Prime Minister Liz Truss said:
Leaders leave this summit with greater collective resolve to stand up to Russian aggression. What we have seen in Prague is a forceful show of solidarity with Ukraine, and for the principles of freedom and democracy.
[MRT: Would Nord Stream volume flow return then it would most likely flow through Ukraine which would collect transport fees, which make about €2B/year. Note that Ukraine has not been the main topic of the summit.]
The UK will continue to work with our allies to deliver on the British people’s priorities, including ending our reliance on authoritarian regimes for energy and reducing costs for families, tackling people smuggling gangs, and standing up to tyrants.
7 Oct 2022 - FRA/GER/DUT: Emmanuel Macron - @EmmanuelMacron - Europe must learn to act,
... but also to think, geopolitically. The geopolitical institute in Brussels, the @BIGEurope, will be a catalyst for articulating specifically European strategic interests. Together with Olaf Scholz and Mark Rutte, we are contributing to this.
[MRT: These three are representing shareholder nations affected by Nordstream affair. Other large players like Italy or Spain are not mentioned..]
Speaking after the European Political Community's first meeting in Prague, Chancellor Scholz called the forum a big innovation & good for improving relations between the EU and neighbours.
[The only relevant neighbour is the UK. What exactly good improvement in EU-UK relations happened there?]
Truss met Macron for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the president’s European Political Community meeting in Prague, aimed at bringing the continent together in the face of Russian aggression...
...She told UK broadcasters before Thursday’s meeting she had worked “very, very closely” with the president and the French government in Paris.
“We’re both very clear the foe is (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, who has through his appalling war in Ukraine threatened freedom and democracy in Europe and pushed up energy prices which we’re now all having to deal with,” she added.
7 Oct 2022 - UK: British Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Thursday that her attendance at the inaugural gathering of the European political community in Prague was not about moving closer to Europe.
7 Oct 2022 - UK/(video): British Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Thursday that her attendance at the inaugural gathering of the European political community in Prague was not about moving closer to Europe.
“It is very important that we work with our neighbours and allies to face down Putin but also deal with the issues we face... This is not about moving closer to Europe,”The British PM went on to blame Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine for rising energy costs, adding that Britain was working with European countries to boost renewable and nuclear energy. Challenged with reports of possible electricity shortages in the UK this winter, Truss said she was “working very hard” on energy security.
7 Oct 2022 - UK: Liz Truss: We’re working with our partners around the world to improve our energy security and stand up to Putin’s appalling war in Ukraine.
The Europe I believe in chooses the collective and not everyone for themselves. #EUCO
7 Oct 2022 - FIN/UK: Finnish PM Sanna Marin says she had a bilateral meeting with UK PM Liz Truss in #Prague. NOR PM was also present.
7 Oct 2022 - UK/PL: On the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Prague, PM @MorawieckiM met with British PM @trussliz.
7 Oct 2022 - CZE/EUROPE: Informal meeting of heads of state or government
Main results: EU leaders met in Prague to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and its impact on the energy situation in Europe, including its economic ramifications.
Remarks by President Charles Michel following the informal meeting of the EU heads of state or government in Prague
[M: Note that him and Ursula von der Leyen are, based on available data, prime suspects of cover-up as they were the very first to frame and define the attack as "sabotage" not the "terrorist attack". See my post about it here.]
...This gives me the opportunity to say a word about yesterday’s meeting - a historic meeting because, for the first time, the countries of the European continent, 44 countries that share the same ambition to work together for peace, prosperity and stability, had the opportunity to meet for the first time in this new format...
[MRT: The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss on sidelines the Nordstream affair]
...We have taken decisions to strengthen the sanctions imposed against Russia as we need to increase pressure on the Kremlin. In addition, both today and yesterday, we stressed the importance of reaching out to third countries in order to counter the Russian narrative....
[MRT: Many sanctions are directed against Russian energy]
...We have also had the opportunity today, in this informal meeting of the European Council, to address this fundamental issue of the energy situation. Let us be clear, we all understand that Russia has unleashed a war against the Ukrainian people, who are suffering from this war on a daily basis and who are courageously fighting for the values we share and for their own future, but also for the future of the European project and of Europe itself. Indeed, Russia has launched an energy missile against the European continent and the world. We are facing an energy crisis....
[MRT: Prices started to rise partly due to sanctions - post here]
[M: To sum it up... We are united... We impose more sanctions ... We are in energy crisis together... This looks to me like a joint decision / policy of a coordinated cover-up.]
We have had the opportunity to address three issues that we feel are extremely important and for which European action is indispensable. Firstly, it is important to take action to reduce consumption and demand. Initial decisions have been taken on the initiative of the European Commission, and thanks to the rapid work done by the Czech Presidency, we will continue to ensure that consumption is reduced.
The second point is the question of security of supply. We have been working for some months now to ensure that stocks can be built up as much as possible. This is a good step, and it is important. Since before the summer, we have also been discussing the importance of gradually setting up platforms for the joint purchase of energy resources. We had the opportunity to revisit this subject today, and we perceived increasing support for continuing to make progress. Especially, for example, to be able to replenish stocks when it becomes necessary to do so again. This is one of the examples that were mentioned, for which the Commission has made proposals in its roadmap.
[M: Well, the UK has been really preparing for this day in advance, changing its energy security strategy several times, post Brexit and it paid out, it became net energy exporter later on. Considering it is a prime suspect of the sabotage this is, in my opinion, quite a reason to suspect EU top politicians for a treason]
The third element is the question of prices. This is having a painful impact on families and on households. It may also be painful for our businesses, and it has an economic impact. I would also like to say today that we felt a shared desire on the part of European leaders to be mobilised with a common ambition to reduce the price of energy resources and to work with the Council and the European Commission, so that this Council meeting must be seen today as a strategic step leading towards the next European Council, which should be an opportunity to move forward in terms of taking the required measures into consideration.
[M: Families and households are collateral damage.]
Countering Russian narratives
Russia’s war against Ukraine is having huge consequences that go beyond Europe, including in terms of the global food security crisis. In this context, EU leaders stressed the importance of reaching out to third countries to counter Russian narratives and expressed their determination to support their partners across the world in addressing food security issues.
[MRT: So what if this was NOT Russia? Does it mean EU is actively pursuing a goal of covering-up?]
Speaking after the European Political Community's first meeting in Prague, Chancellor Scholz called the forum a big innovation & good for improving relations between the EU and neighbours.
[MRT: Stockholm syndrome? UK?]
7 Oct 2022 - FRA: France's Macron says still can't attribute blame for NordStream attacks
7 Oct 2022 - FRA/UK: Macron: "We do have so many things in common and we have values and
we have history and so on" French President Emmanuel Macron said he was glad Liz Truss had joined other European leaders in a summit of European Union and non-EU leaders in Prague
6 Oct 2022 - UK/EU: UK Gov: Meeting European leaders in Prague today,
... the Prime Minister welcomed the strong show of unity against Russian aggression.
The UK will continue to work with our allies to secure our energy supply, tackle people smuggling gangs and stand up to despots.
Truss met Macron for a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the president’s European Political Community meeting in Prague, aimed at bringing the continent together in the face of Russian aggression...
...She told UK broadcasters before Thursday’s meeting she had worked “very, very closely” with the president and the French government in Paris.“We’re both very clear the foe is (Russian President) Vladimir Putin, who has through his appalling war in Ukraine threatened freedom and democracy in Europe and pushed up energy prices which we’re now all having to deal with,” she added.
Prime Minister Liz Truss labelled Emmanuel Macron a "friend" as they announced plans to work together at the first meeting of a new political club of nations.
Ms Truss had declined to say whether the French president was a "friend or foe", during her leadership campaign.
The French president said he hoped for a "new phase" in post-Brexit relations.
The pair agreed to step up cooperation on "ending" small boat crossings in the Channel and announced a summit in 2023.
Leaders from the European Union (EU), the UK, Turkey, Norway and the Balkans attended the first European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Prague on Thursday.
They discussed energy, migration and security, with a particular focus on the war in Ukraine.
The summit, billed as a European Political Community beyond the EU, has been championed by Mr Macron, who told reporters on Thursday it sent a "message of unity".
Standing up to Russia
Following the meetings, Ms Truss said: "Leaders leave this summit with greater collective resolve to stand up to Russian aggression."
"What we have seen in Prague is a forceful show of solidarity with Ukraine, and for the principles of freedom and democracy."
7 Oct 2022 - FRA/CZE: LIVE: Macron Speaks at European Summit in Prague
The summit, initiated by Macron and backed by German Chancellor Olaf #Scholz, gathers 44 nations to cooperate on the key challenges facing #Europe at the moment: security, energy, climate and migration.
7 Oct 2022 - UK: Following the meetings, Ms Truss said: "Leaders leave this summit with greater collective resolve to stand up to Russian aggression.
"What we have seen in Prague is a forceful show of solidarity with Ukraine, and for the principles of freedom and democracy."
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a blog that in the wake of Russia's invasion, there was a need to "rethink and reform the wider European order, beyond the work of the EU and Nato", but he added that the summit would be no more than an initial exchange.
European leaders discussed support for Ukraine at the informal European Council in Prague as well as what to do about the high energy prices. Before that, the Federal Chancellor attended the inaugural meeting of the European Political Community.
Europe stands united during this crisis
Another important topic was energy prices, which are far too high. The European energy ministers agreed on a common emergency package last week in order to reduce the cost of energy in Europe, which will now be implemented at the national level.
The EU finance ministers have also agreed to implement the REPowerEU programme, which, according to Scholz, "is a package with which we are mobilising funds of well in excess of 200 billion euros". This will stimulate investments in the energy sector, which will ensure Europe's long-term independence from Russian energy imports.The Federal Chancellor highlighted the fact that Europe is financially strong enough to face the crisis. So far, only about one fifth of the generous funds from the major Next Generation EU programme, which was jointly adopted during the German EU Council Presidency, have been disbursed. "So," Scholz added, "we still have 600 billion euros of crisis management money available on our side.”With the addition of national funds, this 600 billion is a "huge European financial commitment to counter Putin's attempts to bring Europe to its knees through energy blackmail", the Federal Chancellor said.Security, stability, and prosperity in Europe
The purpose of the European Political Community (EPC) is to promote political dialogue and collaboration in the interest of Europe as a whole, with a view to enhancing security, stability, and prosperity on the European continent.
The event was also attended by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
7 Oct 2022 - EU: Ursula von der Leyen, @vonderleyen: Important discussions ahead at the informal #EUCO
Gas price caps to tackle energy price peaks exacerbated by manipulation. We need a consensus.Preserving the single market and a level playing field. Let us act together, notably via #REPowerEU
7 Oct 2022 - UK: Truss: "This is not about moving closer to Europe. This is about working with Europe on issues that we both face. And we both face rising energy costs," Truss said in response to a question from a reporter.
7 Oct 2022 - Quote: @trussliz in Prague today. Where she stands reflects the position of Brexit Britain in Europe.
7 Oct 2022 - UK: Departed From Václav Havel Airport Prague 🇨🇿 & Routing To London Stansted Airport 🇬🇧.
Aboard Is British PM #LizTruss Heading Back To The UK 🇬🇧 After Attending The European Political Community Meeting In Prague
Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to cooperate with ‘friends in Japan and Korea’ instead of introducing a gas price cap.
Germany has proposed a plan to bring down gas prices by forming a buyers' alliance with energy-hungry countries in Asia to convince big exporters to lower costs.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz pitched the idea to EU leaders on the sidelines of an informal summit in Prague taking place on Thursday and Friday, three officials and diplomats told POLITICO.
Under the plan, Germany would use its presidency of the G7 group, which it holds until the end of the year, to form a global alliance to lower gas prices.
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Other related news:
21 Oct 2022 - UK is helping countries to reduce THEIR dependency on Russia
Yesterday the UK sanctioned Iran for supplying Russia with drones used to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This is just the latest example of how Russia threatens Ukraine’s energy security. The UK is helping countries reduce their dependency on Russia.
"The military leaders both agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the UK and Russia to manage the risk of miscalculation and to facilitate de-escalation."
The conversation followed the Defence Secretary’s call with his Russian counterpart yesterday and a call between the Foreign Ministers of France, the UK, and the USA last night.
23 Nov 2022 - Boris Johnson Causes A Stir With Claims About Europe’s Initial Response To Russian Aggression
23 Nov 2022 - “After all my anxieties...I pay tribute to the way the EU has acted. They have been united. The sanctions were tough.”
17 March 2023 - High-level meeting on Troll A platform
On Friday, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and President and CEO of Equinor Anders Opedal visited the Troll A platform.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised the Troll A platform as ‘an impressive structure, absolutely vital to heat homes and power industries across Europe, and important for our security. Because we have seen how Russia has tried to use gas as a weapon to prevent us from supporting Ukraine. It has failed, not least because of platforms like this one. They are key to help reduce Europe’s dangerous dependency on Russian gas.’
[MRT: Russia tried to use gas a s a weapon? Oh dear - 1.5x Lehman Bro event happened solecly because of the politician incompetence with dangerous sanctions backfiring]
[M: This is sick, Merkel said that Russia has not used gas as a weapon here 18 June 2022 - Merkel defends Nord Stream 2 decision
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended her decisions to build the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea. "I didn't believe in change through trade, but in connection through trade, with the second largest nuclear power in the world," Merkel told the editorial network Germany.But it wasn't an easy decision. "The thesis at the time was that once Nord Stream 2 is operational, Putin will stop supplying gas through Ukraine or even attack it." The West ensured that gas was still routed through Ukraine and that they continued to receive transit fees.Merkel pointed out that Russia then attacked Ukraine on February 24, when gas was not yet flowing through Nord Stream 2. "In this sense, gas was not a weapon," Merkel said.Liquid gas was too expensive for the German economyMerkel also justified the procedure at the time with economic considerations. "At the time, the German economy opted for pipeline gas transport from Russia because it was economically cheaper than liquid gas from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and later also from the USA," she explained.They were willing to use taxpayers' money to support the construction of two terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Germany. "But until the last day of my tenure, no company built an LNG terminal in Germany because there was no importer who would have booked long-term capacities in advance because of the high price.".]
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Brilliant, thank you
ReplyDeleteI have another "temp" timeline which has MUCH more info.
ReplyDeleteI will update this post in future in an update.
Keep tuned.