Europe is warming twice as fast as the world average
Madrid (Europa Press) — A report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) shows that Europe has warmed at twice the rate of the average global temperature increase in the last 30 years, despite the fact that the continent, in particular the European Union, cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 31% from 1990 to 2020 and has set a net emission reduction target of 55% by 2030.
In the words of the Secretary General of the WMO, Petteri Taalas, “Europe is the living reflection of a world that is warming and reminds us that even well-prepared societies are not safe from the consequences of extreme weather events.” The expert insists, however, that Europe must maintain the right pace in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and must set itself more ambitious goals.
The publication of this report comes a few days before the start of the XXVII Conference of the Parties to the United Nations on Climate Change (COP27), which will begin next week in Sharm-El Sheikh (Egypt). (November 2)
UN Security Council unanimously extends mandate of EUFOR mission in BiH
New York (FENA) – The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a draft resolution on Bosnia and Herzegovina extending the mandate of EUFOR ALTHEA, a multinational stabilizing force led by the European Union, in BiH. Bosnia and Herzegovina was the only topic of the UN Security Council meeting, which discussed threats to the peace and security of BiH.
Russia had long announced a veto on the extension of EUFOR’s mandate, but changed its decision following messages, notably by the leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) Milorad Dodik, that it was in the interest of Republika Srpska to keep EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The report of the High Representative of the International Community in BiH Christian Schmidt was read at the session. BiH Ambassador to the UN Sven Alkalaj accused Schmidt of violating the Dayton Peace Agreement and destabilizing BiH’s constitution.
“The High Representative deceived all voters in BiH, because they surely would have voted differently if they had been familiar with the new electoral rules. He also deceived all actors in the elections, more precisely all political parties and independent candidates, who would certainly have offered different electoral lists and programs that would have complied with the new electoral rules,” stated Alkalaj, referring to the decisions on an electoral reform which was imposed by Schmidt in the night of the elections.
Alkalaj also alleged that Schmidt had imposed amendments to the Election Law of BiH, which are evaluated through a mathematical formula and a coefficient for participation in the electoral process determined in accordance with the nationality of the voting body. He said that Schmidt had been planning and doing all this in cooperation with Croatia and accused him of a selective implementation of the judgments of the Constitutional Court of BiH.
The United States supported High Representative Christian Schmidt’s decision to change the election law in the election night on October 2, while noting that they also support his report presented to the Security Council.
“Bonn powers are a key tool for maintaining stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. The imposition was necessary to prevent the collapse of the Federation of BiH. The High Representative has a key role,” U.S. Representative Jeffrey DeLaurentis assessed.
The “Bonn powers” are the powers granted to the High Representative in 1997. They include the power to adopt binding decisions and remove officials from office.
French Representative to the Security Council Nathalie Broadhurst Estival deemed the retention of political blockades inadmissible, including those that prevent the constitution of power in the Federation of BiH after the elections. France, the US and the UK clearly condemned all calls for BiH secession, as well as the glorification of war criminals at the Security Council’s session.
As opposed to this, Russian Representative Anna Evstigneeva said that the Security Council should not consider Schmidt’s report at all, but that the report sent by the authorities of BiH’s entity Republika Srpska was the one that spoke about the real problems in BiH. (November 2)
Berlin cautions Belgrade against ties with Russia
Berlin (AFP) – Berlin has warned Serbia about its close ties to Russia, which could complicate the country’s rapprochement with the EU, a German government source said on Tuesday.
Two days before a summit in Berlin aimed at strengthening EU cooperation with six countries located in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia), this German source referred to “the light and the shadow” of the Serbian case.
“Serbia’s relations with Russia are certainly on the dark side,” the source said. In particular, it cited the agreement signed at the end of September by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his then Serbian counterpart Nikola Selakovic on continuing consultations between the two ministries for the next two years.
“We were surprised and disappointed,” the German source admitted.
Although Serbia condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the UN, it refuses to comply with European sanctions against Moscow. (November 1)
This is a compilation of the European coverage of enr news agencies. It is published Wednesdays and Fridays. The content is an editorial selection based on news by the respective agency.