« Europe’s population decline, demands bold yet collective solutions. »

Greece is the latest European country, that is trying to tackle its ageing and declining population. The new conservative government of the New Democracy party announced that from the start of 2020, it would pay each mother the amount of 2000 euros per new-born child.

The Balkan country’s population is one of the fastest declining in the EU, a trend that has been made worse since the economic crisis. Many of its young people decided either to migrate, or simply they do not have the means to raise a family.

It is estimated that currently there are around 10.4 million people in Greece, down already from the just over 11 million a decade ago and it is projected by some experts to be reduced even further, down to 8 million people in the coming decades.

In addition, the population is not only declining, but it follows the continental trend of ageing. Fewer young people mean less workers and thus taxpayers needed to support the increasing number of pensioners. As result, not only there aren’t enough people to maintain a stable population, but the economy is also being placed under a huge strain.

Greece is not the sole country in Europe that resulted in such measures. Hungary has also previously granted tax exemptions for couples with 4 or more children, together with many other benefits and subsidies.

The central European country’s Prime Minister, Victor Orban, hailed this move as “the Hungarian way,” even though many in the continent condemning such solution of being similar to that of a communist regime.

Despite this, Mr Orban has exploited the immigration and population question in the European elections of May 2019. He cited that Western Europe under pressure by the EU leadership, has accepted immigration as the solution to the continent’s population decline.

According to him, the EU wants to fill Europe with immigrants, primarily Muslim and this will be the “gravedigger of nations, family and the Christian way of life”. His government has repeatedly broke lines with its European partners when dealing with the refugee crisis and is overall very cautious towards immigration from outside of Europe. 

Yet, the only EU countries that saw a healthy population growth during the previous decade, were countries that accepted immigrants both from within and outside the EU. Ireland, Sweden and Malta, are among those.

The opposite trend is observed in central and eastern Europe, where Bulgaria, Croatia, Latvia and Lithuania are experiencing rapid population decline, due not to only falling birth rates, but just like in the case of Greece, emigration.

Since it joined the EU, Latvia-a tiny Baltic nation, lost about 18.2% of its population, to shrink to just below 2 million people. The main problem it is facing, is the emigration of its youth, in order to find jobs and get higher wages in countries like the UK, Ireland and Germany.

If this trend continues, Latvia will sadly live by its reputation, as Europe’s “disappearing nation.” But this problem is not only confined in this country. The EU’s expansion to the east, exposed the continent’s huge income inequalities and opportunities for employment and growth, with a gaping East-West divide.

It is only natural that young people would seek to get higher paid jobs in rich western nations, however this reality should not become permanent. Both the governments of the new members and the EU itself should address the issue and encourage harmonization or salaries and living standards, in order to encourage the emigres, return home and of course prevent the perpetuating of the issue.

Another factor is that the new EU states, are reluctant to allow or unable to attract a great number of non-EU immigrants. Nevertheless, if we accept that immigration into Europe could work when tackling our continent’s demographic problem, it itself brings some certain challenges. We are currently experiencing a sharp rise of xenophobia and populism, fronted by right-wing political parties that seem to gain ground everywhere in Europe.

If we only chose to balance the falling numbers of our population with immigrants, we risk making this problem worse and in addition, risking the very existence of the EU, our open borders and the rights of both native and foreign-born population.

It would be unwise continuing in this course, unless we are able to tackle populism and the far-right first, but that will require getting our economies in order. And that is because, it is essential when dealing with such issues, to have a healthy, stable economy. When people are happy with their living standards, it is harder for populists to find fertile ground for their propaganda.

  

Plus, to conduct reforms, you need good finances. We will have to look at Sweden, a country that to a certain extent, has successfully dealt with this issue. The Scandinavian nation has managed thanks to its economy, to support a different approach to its demographic problem.

With a greatly subsidized, always-available day-care, generous parental leave shared by both parents it is among the EU nations with a population growth, with immigration playing additionally some part.

Sweden’s success though requires not just robust finances, but also a radical review in gender roles, societal mentality towards childcare and family and a willingness of employers to accommodate such reforms in employment.

To conclude, it is evident that Europe needs to tackle its demographic problem. If it doesn’t, its economy, stability and influence in the globe will suffer, and it will deprive itself of its current status of one of the most affluent regions on earth.

Young generations are the best investment in order to secure a more prosperous future, despite the fact the human global population should ideally shrink. We have surpassed the 7 billion earth human inhabitants mark, so a global population decline is not something that we should fear, but welcome.

However, we will have to manage better this new reality, if we wish to avoid a population collapse in Europe, with all the societal and economic consequences. We have achieved to live in a prosperous continent, with a consumerist and individualistic lifestyle, fueled by capitalism and a market-based economy.

That is not a bad thing, if we are able to balance better our work-family lives and set our priorities right. Thus, the solution to Europe’s demographic problem, does not lie in one panacea, rather a collective response by all governments, a pan-European cooperation and coordination.

Together with altering our family role-models or our work conditions like Sweden, we will have to help young couples and encourage them, should they wish to start a family by all means possible.

Either it is tax relief like in Hungary, or a child bonus in Greece, combined with inward immigration and harmonization of wages and living standards across the EU, we can avoid depopulation of some of its regions. Resulting consequently, in a healthier and sustainable European population and ultimately economy and future.

“My first trip to Europe that defines me still today.”

Freiburg, Germany, 1998.

I have always had the traveling bug, that innate need to explore and get to know other cultures and nations. And I was so lucky to be born in one of the most affluent regions of earth, which allowed me to satisfy this need for freedom: Europe.

I grew up in Greece, in a working-class family from the country’s second largest city, Thessaloniki. My parents separated when I was entering adolescence and for many years I was lost, I did not know what I wanted to do in life.

After my father’s suggestion, I decided to follow a career in Greece’s booming tourism industry, although I was never too keen in working with people. However, working in a hotel, no matter how demanding, gave me the opportunity to encounter tourists from all over the world, but primarily Europe.

That soon proved to be a life-changing experience. From an introvert I became an extrovert and acquired a thirst for knowing people, the hotel’s guests, which I often befriended. With some I still have a connection and I call friends, 22 years later.

It was a group of young Austrians, which I met while working at the restaurant of a hotel in Potidea in Greece, who first suggested that I should visit them for Christmas. We were hanging out after work and became friends during the two weeks of their stay.

Soon after their departure, I met a group of Germans from Feucht, near Nuernberg and after them many others from their homeland. With some we became very close and they also invited me over for Christmas. While in the beginning I took those invitations somewhat lightly, after I finished working in the hotel, I begun seriously considering it.

I was in contact with quite a few people from the previous summer season and many have reinstated their invitation. I announced to my family at the age of 20, that I won’t be spending Christmas and New Year’s Eve with them, for the first time.

Initially they tried to prevent me, and they warned me that “foreigners” are not as hospitable as us-the Greeks, so that they would not host me. They were naturally believing all the stereotypes about Germans and other Europeans, plus they could not believe that people that met only for two weeks in a summer resort, could become close friends. 

They did not stop me, however. After I booked my flights and arranged my itinerary, I contacted my hosts to discuss which dates would suit for my visit. My family on the other hand, tried to provide me with Greek contacts in Germany, in case those “cold and inhospitable” Germans refuse me.

I flew over to Cologne on my own, two days before Christmas, first time on a plane and outside the borders of Greece. The year was 1997, 5 years after Europe signed the Maastricht Treaty and 2 years after the Schengen Agreement’s supplement, the Schengen Convention, came into force, with a complete abolition of systematic internal border controls.

Freiburg, Germany, 1998.

I landed in Cologne at around 10 o’clock in the night and suddenly I found myself alone in a foreign country, with basic knowledge of German. There were no visa requirements, no long queues and no stops at customs. I swiftly got out of the massive airport and started panicking.

I had to reach Wuppertal, a small city close to Cologne, where my first guests were living. But I had no idea of how to get there. After a brief cold sweat spell, I gathered the courage to approach a German taxi driver and ask him to take me to the train station, in order to get the next train to my destination.

In broken English and a conversation half in German, with the addition of some sign language, I managed to understand that he offered to drive me directly to the doorstep of my hosts, for around 175 marks, a bit over of what a trip to Wuppertal would cost by train, together with the taxi fare to the station.

I agreed, as the time was getting late. Somewhere along the road the driver got lost and I started worrying again, this time about money. I was alone in a taxi at night-time, somewhere in Germany and the person who was driving was unsure of where we were.

He immediately stopped the taxi meter and reassured me that he would charge me the agreed price and that he would find the address of the house, to safely drop me off. And he did, even if he took him numerous stops at gas stations to ask for directions.

As soon as I rang the doorbell of my friends, I heard the voice of my parents in my head, warning me that they won’t answer the door and I should be prepared to find an alternative accommodation. But to prove them wrong, I was not only accepted, but had slippers on my feet, hot food and shower prepared for me.

After spending Christmas in Wuppertal, I took the train again for Nuernberg, to visit my friends in Feucht. I was far more confident by now and I was able to relax and enjoy the amazing German countryside, as I was traveling by its majestic rivers, old towns and castles. 

Glued to the wagon’s window, it was the first time that I saw ships on a river-the Rhine, plus the amazing forests of Bavaria. After an amazing stay in Feucht and a visit in Nuernberg, it was time to leave again and spend New Year’s Eve in Austria.

This time I took the train to Passau, a beautiful city on the German-Austrian border, in which my Austrian friends were awaiting to take me across the border to Schaerding, a small, picturesque baroque town. There were no border and no passport controls, we were just crossing the bridge over the Danube and there we were. Simply as that, I have reached Austria.

Schaerding, Austria, 1997.

We welcomed 1998 by drinking sparkling wine and watching the fireworks in Schaerding’s old town square. During the few days I have spent with my friends, my hosts also drove with me to Salzburg and the surrounding area. I have never seen such beautiful countryside and old towns, so clean, neat and tidy, unlike the ones I was used to back home.

So far, the trip was an eye-opener by any means. It boosted my confidence and made me fall in love with Europe and traveling, something that hasn’t left me ever since. In addition, it shattered all stereotypes I had about these two countries I have visited, and the often-unjustified rumors that circulated about them in Greece.

It also inspired me to have a different view about many things I accepted, tolerated or took for granted in my home country.

 My mind was broadening, and I was becoming cosmopolitan. But the trip was not over yet. After a few days in Austria, I took the train from Passau to reach Freiburg. It lies south-west, in the wine producing area of Germany, something that I was completely unaware prior to my visit.

I have never heard of German wines until then, let alone taste them. And not only that, but I was about to stay with people who worked in the local wine producing industry and have the privilege of drinking their wine.

Freiburg itself is an amazing city, yet my hosts were living a bit further in Breisach, a town right to the border with France. It was occupied by both French and the Germans over the centuries and changed hands numerous times.

Neuf-Brisach, France, 1998.

After it was taken back by Germany and briefly belonging to Austria, the French built their own town of Neuf-Brisach just over the river Rhine, opposite Breisach.

And thank God they did. Because during my stay in this region, not only I was able to taste German wines, which are fizzy, fruity and light, but also wake up each morning and drive across another bridge, just to buy French baguettes and “fromages” for our breakfast. 

Again, while we were crossing the bridge over Rhine, although the border posts were still standing, there were no checks or controls. I was able in one trip to visit three countries, spend my money in so many shops and towns and experience the best of what they had to offer.

After a stroll on the French side, we returned to Germany to continue our exploration. We traveled to Aschaffenburg, and old, picturesque, beautiful fortified town in Bavaria by the river Main. I have instantly fell in love with it and this became the last impression of that trip, as soon I had to take the night train back to Cologne, to catch a flight back to Thessaloniki.

But I did not return empty handed. My camera was full of pictures, my mind full of beautiful memories and my suitcase full of gifts. Not only I have bought many souvenirs for my family during my travels, but my hosts have given me presents to take back to them.

I was so proud to open my bags and offer my mother two bottles of German wine, some Austrian kiwi liquor, lots of chocolate, sweets and other hand-crafted Bavarian goods, which my friends have sent for her.

In that way, I had dispelled any stereotypes about the peoples of the countries I have visited, not only for myself but for my family too. I have experienced the benefits of a Europe with open borders and the opportunities that it offers for personal growth and development, something that we all often take for granted.

Freiburg, Germany, 1998.

I have acquired a new, different view of living and made some lifelong friends along the way. Six years later I have decided to leave Greece altogether and relocate permanently in Ireland. 

Yet I still travel at any chance I get across Europe. I have visited around 36 European nations, including all EU member states.

It is something that I always recommend youngsters to do, if they seek personal growth, lifelong experiences and lessons, plus making friends. 

Nothing changes you for the better like traveling and currently Europe is ideal for this.

Let’s keep it this way, let us maintain a continent with open borders, minds, hearts and doors to other fellow Europeans, but also others from across the globe.

“What next for Europe and the UK after Brexit?”

On the 31^st of January 2020, the United Kingdom has finally left the European Union. After three years, numerous debates, arguments, twists and turns, the Tory leadership of the country has managed to strike a deal with its European partners and come to an agreement within its own government.

This is the first time a country leaves the EU and it is of great significance, since it is one of the oldest members. However, the British leadership was never too keen on European integration. Euro-skepticism is nothing new in the UK and the country’s press was for decades habitually EU bashing, with little effort to counter their arguments by the government.

During the EU membership referendum, we have witnessed lots of propaganda and misinformation from the Leave campaign, but also an inability from the Remain side to present convincing arguments to persuade the British public.

They resulted on focusing mainly on Russian meddling, US takeover and numerous doomsday scenarios, for when the UK leaves the EU. The truth is, the country is one of the richest nations in the world and it can survive outside the EU, although surely weakened.

But it is sad that not just the British public, but Europeans all over the continent are failing to realize the uniqueness of the EU as a concept, but chose to fall for populists that bet in their greatest concern of all: their pockets.

All EU bashing is revolving around the most basic instincts of the European populace, their nationalistic sense of identity and their wealth. Money is the reason why many countries chose to stay outside the EU and why the UK decided to leave.

Money is also the reason why others chose to join or are keen to do so in the future. They want to access to the single market, yet once they enter the club, they often forget the obligations they have signed in order to be accepted in the EU.

Few in Europe yet, see the EU as those who worked to establish it in the past. It is the manifestation of an altruistic idea of a united Europe, which arose from the ashes of a continent, torn by war.

Those visionaries who have witnessed its madness and cruelty and lived through Europe’s most shameful pages in history, had as a goal, the unification of our continent. However, since the 80’s, only years after it joined, the UK started deviating from this vision. 

Soon after the “poison” of Euro-skepticism spilled over to other nations and how couldn’t it, since European politics became a fight over interests and money, among our national governments. But the EU as a project should not only a financial one. It is evident that if it is to succeed in the future, it needs the citizens’ support.

And that can only be accomplished, once they get to share the same vision as Europe’s forefathers, plus ideally, have their needs met, their pockets and living standards filled and raised. Other unions operate differently. They have a president, common language, religion and one of its representatives, or a monarch to unite their populace.

What does Europe have, since if we focus solely on wealth and money, we will inevitable fight over it. We need to start promoting our ideals, values and vision among all layers of our social structure, from the poorest to the richest, either that be nations or individuals.

I would be proud if Ireland or Greece ever became net contributors to the EU’s budget for example, because that would mean that they achieved to be considered among Europe’s richest nations, plus they can help others reach the same goal. And that would be an honor.

However, that transfer of wealth can only be monitored through a centralized governing body, just as it happens in other federal or confederal political structures, like the USA. Thus, we need the EU, even if it has itself problems with corruption, lobbying and red tape; we do not seek to dismantle our national governments or parliaments, because our politicians are corrupt, so why do we require this from the EU?  

Our generation hasn’t lived through destruction or war, so we take for granted the freedoms we enjoy. And it is sad to see our willingness to sacrifice them, in order to satisfy the will of the rich minority. Because those will be the ones who benefit the most from the disintegration of the EU, not the average citizens.

The British public was conned to believe that by exiting the EU, they would enjoy more wealth, save their NHS and they could manage the levels of immigration in their country. Straight after they “got back control,” their government announced that they are seeking to attract workers from all over the world, to fill job vacancies.

As for the NHS, it was never in a bad shape because of the EU, rather the mismanagement of the consequent British governments. It was plainly used as a carrot to lure the public and fall in the trap.

  

The country’s leadership simply wants to be free of EU regulation when conducting business, but not for the citizens’ benefit, rather for their own and those who finance their political careers and campaigns, such as the British and American business elites.

Therefore, we can see a very different UK from now on. Surely not a much poorer country, albeit a more unequal one, a tax haven that is competing with Europe in order to attract more businesses. The ordinary British people won’t see much difference in wealth “trickling down” from this shift, rather they plainly lost their EU citizenship and the rights that came with it.

Funnily enough, they haven’t realized that for one year until they finally agree on their future relationship with the EU, during the 2020 negotiations with the block, Britain will have to obey EU rules without having any say, as it lost its representatives.

And that is a far more serious loss of control and EU meddling, something that Norway- the model country for many Brexiteers- must deal with for decades now. But while Norway, a small Scandinavian nation can manage, how will this go down with Britain, a country with global leader aspirations?

In addition, even Norway is looking closely how Brexit will pan out for the Brits and perhaps rethink their position on EU membership. Their EEA (European Economic Area) Agreement will be affected if Britain ever tries to join or get a similar deal.

The EU as expected will play hardball during the negotiations with the UK, which may well be extended for years. It must really. If it allows the Brits out too easily, or with a very favorable agreement, then other member states might seek similar treatment and that will cast the EU’s doom as we know it. Perhaps that is what the UK bets on, however there is little appetite shown for compromise in other member states.

To conclude, the United Kingdom will be fine outside the EU, just as many other countries. Yet, why aren’t we collectively still convinced about our greatest accomplishment as a continent and chose to remain behind nationalist trenches?  As if our greatest enemy to our wealth is poorer European nations and their citizens.

Ultimately, if the UK ever decides to re-join, it won’t happen for another 10-20 years. When they do, they will have to join the euro and Schengen and that will be a much greater humiliation for the British leadership, but perhaps a much necessary one.

However, there is also the risk that the United Kingdom as a country won’t exist in its current form. With a potential departure of Scotland in order to be in the EU, comes that of Northern Ireland too, now that Sinn Fein has gained great support in last weekend’s election in the Republic. 

Leaving a very different country as potential new EU member state, Anglo-centric and potentially met with suspicion by all other member states. Unless, during their absence the EU manages to solidify its structures and become more unified, it is unlikely they will ever allow “little Britain” back in, with all its demands and opt-outs.

“Europe commemorates the Holocaust; however, it still forgets.”

On the 27th of January, Europe marked 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, a grim reminder of one of Europe’s darkest pages in history. 

It is a landmark that demands of us to remember, not out of shame as many see it, but as our duty to our future generations.

Naturally, the extermination of millions of people, not just from the Nazi’s but their collaborators across Europe for simply who they were, should make us feel ashamed. 

However, the purpose of such commemoration, should not focus on making us feel guilty or hate, rather it could be an opportunity to educate and learn to tolerate.

Because even after being exposed to numerous commemorations, documentaries, films and inspiring political speeches about the Holocaust, its causes and aftermath, Europe-although it has made huge progress- hasn’t managed to rid off old prejudices and nationalism entirely.

Even nowadays there is a reported sharp rise in Anti-Semitism across our continent, with Jewish cemeteries being vandalized in France, Germany and elsewhere, but even the UK’s Labour Party, being investigated of its alleged anti-Semitic views.

It is peculiar to think that after such catastrophe, that costed the lives of millions of people-not just the Jews of Europe- people would still see an ethnic group as responsible for all their troubles and problems. So much in fact that they would prefer to align themselves with outright criminal ideologies.

And it is even more worrying, that this hatred spreads to many other ethnic or religious minority groups of Europe. Our continent has become multinational, multi-religious and multiracial and that is a direct outcome of the Holocaust’s legacy.

People for many years have chosen to abandon hate, prejudice and preferred to include and tolerate individuals of different background, as result of the horrors of fascism, nationalism and populism they have experienced. The EU itself was created from the ashes and remains of the old Europe, with a promise that never again would Europeans die in such wars, fueled by hate.

However, our continent is still struggling with its identity and future. And it is not just the Jewish people that are being targeted this time. Islamophobia is also a worrying trend, in addition to the rising xenophobia and Euro-skepticism. Seventy-five years ago, it may have been the Jews of Europe that faced the brunt of our hate, however if we are not careful in the future it could be others.

  

In addition to commemorating the loss of nearly 6 million Jewish lives in the most horrid manner, we could also start telling the stories of others that perished in the same way. And even though the numbers were fewer, their deaths should not be forgotten in history.

With the European Jews, the Nazis exterminated a large part of Europe’s Romani people, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with disabilities and their political opponents. According to some estimations, about 1.5 million Romani people have died alongside those of Jewish descent.

Some historians bring that number down to anywhere between 200,000 and 500,000, however the numbers should not be the only thing that we should be concerned, rather the reason and the manner.

Many of them died in concentration camps, while wearing a brown inverted triangle. Others were shot while fighting against the Nazis and alongside their compatriots. Many found a gruesome death, while Nazi scientists were conducting experiments on them, like pouring chemicals into their eyes to attempt a color change.

Yet while the Jewish Holocaust is greatly discussed and commemorated, the “Porajmos” or Romani Holocaust is still not being spoken about, or as extensively studied. There are no films or documentaries made about the suffering of the Roma people those days and even if the German government has officially recognized it since 1982, it has never paid any reparations to the Roma victims, like it did with the Jewish ones.

Perhaps that is one reason why the Romani victims are not portrayed in any Hollywood blockbuster movie, together with the fact that they do not have a strong lobby in America to promote their rights and even worse, not even in Europe-their birthplace.

Romani people are part of our continent for centuries. But even today, they are among the poorest of people, facing discrimination and lack of opportunities in all countries they reside on the European continent.

About 80% of the 12 million Roma in Europe today are living below the poverty line, while in average they live 10 years less than the average European with high infant mortality. Only one out of four Roma people are employed, while fewer than that have finished their education: 20% cannot read or write.

Perhaps if we started viewing them in a different manner, we could end this outrageous discrimination and maybe we could start by telling their stories during the Holocaust, to sensitize people about their rights and cause.

Another group that usually is left out of the commemorations are homosexuals. They do not get as much sympathy, as they are not an ethnic group and nowadays, they enjoy their rights and equality in most European nations.

However, their stories should also be told, as a reminder that hate and intolerance is not always targeting foreigners, ethnic or religious groups. In addition, viewing the unjustifiable suffering that these men and women had to endure, could once and for all silence critics of LGBT rights.

An estimated 100,000 gay men in Germany were arrested as homosexuals between 1933 and 1945, with 50,000 being sentenced. Of that number, around 15,000 of them ended up in concentration camps with a high mortality rate, of about 60%.

Homosexuals in concentration camps faced an unusual degree of cruelty, with experiments being conducted on them, in order to find a cure for their homosexuality or other medical diseases.

Others were forced in having sex with Jewish women, prostitutes or lesbian women, in order to force “normal” sexual desires onto them. Castration, boiling of their testicles and violence driven by the homophobia of the Nazi guards, were often reported.

Many were beaten by other inmates, while Nazi soldiers used to practice their shooting skills, by targeting the pink downward triangles sewn on their uniforms to distinguish them, ultimately killing them on sight. Homosexuals in concentration camps were considered the lowest of the low, classified as “asocials” and the true number of the victims remains unknown.

Again, many would not consider the stories of these men worthy of being told and brought into the greater public knowledge, since the gay community enjoys a great number of freedoms and degree of equality. However, we must never forget how easy it is for a society to slide backwards and what can happen to people of minority groups if we allow it.  

Germany prior the rise of the Nazis, had a vibrant gay community and in Berlin, gay and lesbian bars and clubs were abundant. Just because at one given time, a social group enjoys a certain set of freedoms, it does not mean that it can be taken for granted; sadly, that is why the commemoration of the Holocaust is still necessary today.

It is becoming evident that it should not be focused only on one ethnic group’s tragedy and the injustice inflicted upon them, rather view it as a lesson of what we can lose if we make the same mistakes again. It will not only be millions of lives, of many ethnic or religious minorities, but above all it will be our humanity and some of our most cherished values, that contribute to Europe’s uniqueness and success: our diversity, equality, tolerance and freedom.

“Europe should unite and act over Libya”.

For the past decade, there have been not one, but three wars raging right at Europe’s borders. The most known and reported is the one in Syria, which has forced millions of refugees into our continent, however we cannot be too complacent about what is happening in Ukraine and even more so, in Libya.

Since the NATO backed overthrowing and killing of the Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the North African nation has experienced instability, two civil wars and a growing foreign intervention. Most of Europe was focusing on its internal troubles like Brexit, however it recently became apparent that this conflict should not be ignored.

Thus-and rightly so- the German Chancellor Angela Merkel organized in Berlin a Conference for Libya on the 19th of January. Invitations were sent to both warring parties of Libya, the Tripoli based GNA and its leader Fayez al-Serraj, plus the Tobruk Government’s (HoR) Libyan National Army General, Khalifa Haftar.

With them, a selection of foreign powers with interests in the region were also invited, most of them already present and engaging in the conflict, siding with either party. The leaders of France, Turkey, Russia, Italy and the United Kingdom, together with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were present.

In addition, representatives from the EU, the African Union, the UN, the Arab League, Egypt, UAE, DR Congo, China and Algeria.

The Conference’s outcome seems to have been successful, if only the participants- especially the two rivals in Libya and their foreign supporters, stick to what it has been agreed; that is an end to any interference in the country's ongoing civil conflict, plus to uphold a UN arms embargo.

Twice before, in Paris and in Palermo similar agreements were made, but not upheld. In addition, there was a failed effort for mediation by Greece in 2016 between Libya and Egypt and in 2011 between Gaddafi’s regime and NATO. Thus, one would wonder, why now Greece was excluded from the talks, since it has played an active role before.

Many in the Balkan nation, were angered by Germany’s snub towards Greece, especially since Turkey’s President, Mr Erdogan was present. The German government chose to keep the reasons away from the public knowledge, while many notable Greek politicians such as Dora Bakoyanni, called the move “a mistake”.

  

Yet, there are many reasons why the German initiative should be applauded, although they could have involved Greece in some ways. The US has hinted that Libya is mainly Europe’s problem and it avoided until now in getting actively involved, apart from sporadic attacks on ISIL targets.

To fill this void, Turkey and Russia have both stepped in, each siding with a rival warring group. In order to promote its interests, Turkey has signed two agreements with CNA, one on maritime borders and the other on military cooperation. The first one has hit a nerve with Greece, as it considers the maritime memorandum a violation of international law and an attack on its sovereign rights.

Turkey and Greece have seen their relations deteriorating the past few years, with Turkey trying its best to interfere or sabotage the developments in East Mediterranean and the successful cooperation between Cyprus, Israel and Greece on gas exploration.

Bitter because it has been left out, Turkey went on to sign its own deal with Libya, although not only it is illegal, it is supported by no one. Both the US and the EU have thrown their support around Greece, yet sadly only in words.

The EU has numerous times condemned Turkey’s actions around Cyprus and East Mediterranean; however, it has until now avoided to actively and decisively penalize Erdogan’s antics. Similarly, the US government although supportive of Greece, they are too passive when it comes to Turkey, a major and valuable ally of theirs in the Middle East.

The whole dispute between the two NATO “allies” is around the right to oil and gas exploration, just as in Libya. It is such a pity that Turkey is not focusing on its recent successes, such as launching their first ever Turkish made automobile and its own economy, but instead is trying to bully two EU member states- Greece and Cyprus- while extending their sphere of influence.

Such attitudes have kept the whole region backwards and harmed the economies of both Greece and Turkey. The latter is now to trying to infringe on Greek national maritime territory- all the way close to the island of Crete- in order to satisfy the megalomaniac plans of Mr Erdogan and his government.

Turkey maintains that the Greek islands do not constitute Greek sovereign rights on the continental shelf. In this way, it wants to extend its right to drill all the way deep in Greek waters. It is only to be seen when Europe will truly treat Greek and Cypriot national maritime borders as European, acting accordingly and cutting the appetites of Erdogan once and for all.

Because of Turkey, Greece was forced to intervene in the Libyan crisis and declare allegiance with HoR. The Greek government invited the group’s leader Khalifa Haftar in talks prior the Berlin Conference, plus it clearly indicated that it would block any decision adopted by the EU regarding Libya, unless the Turkey-GNA maritime deal is cancelled. 

 Overall, we should be hailing Chancellor Merkel’s initiative as Europeans, although ultimately, it should be the EU taking such lead. It is about time Europe started flexing its muscle in its own neighborhood and taking the lead in solving international disputes. How does it want to be taken seriously as a global player, if it cannot decide collectively or show determination during such threats and crises?

Until now, EU member states were fragmented or indifferent towards the Libya conflict, too absorbed by Brexit and Syria at best. Italy is supportive of the Tripoli based GNA, while France and the UK switched sides according to their and US interests. Now that Greece is forced to enter the game by Turkey’s antics and Germany by its own accord, it is evident that this conflict is becoming a European issue.

If we leave Russia backing HoR and Turkey supporting GNA, we will have an outcome that ultimately will affect Europe, but without any of our input or our interests protected and promoted.

Germany might have made a blunder by not inviting Greece to the talks, or it may just have saved the day. With a Turkey so hostile towards Greece, if the two were engaged in the Conference, it could possibly derail any agreement and turned it into another heated debate and diplomatic incident between the two.

That was not the point of such meeting after all. Besides, Greece has not attained a great record of diplomatic success in the region previously. Plus, Erdogan was unable to get what he wanted from the Conference and had to-seemingly at least- accept a ceasefire, a UN arms embargo and a peacefully resolution to the conflict.

No word was made about the Greek concerns, at least not openly and the Germans with their European counterparts were wise this time around to avoid it. It is always better to focus on one issue and not try to carry two melons under one arm. However, if there should be a continuation in this dispute, Greece cannot be ignored again.

At least not since it pledged and showed interest in sending together with France, Germany and other European nations, a military mission to monitor the ceasefire. It is the country of entry for many refugees from the Middle East and Africa, it has maritime borders with Libya and since Turkey’s stance, will be most affected by the Libyan civil war outcome.

Following the Berlin Conference over Libya, Europe is debating about what path to follow next. Ministers are currently in Brussels, discussing ways of how to treat Turkey, with Hungary being one of the states opposing sanctions against its aggression towards Greece.

Another topic is focusing on the realization, that since Europe needs to secure the outcome of the Conference, it really needs to get both militarily and politically involved, even if it is with the collaboration of the UN and the African Union.

In conclusion, Merkel’s initiative has finally got Europe talking about Libya and Turkey. It now only remains to be seen how able EU member states can be, in showing solidarity with a member state, leadership in the region and agreeing decisively on a matter that can shape their future.

Europe needs a common immigration policy, if it wants to secure its future integration.

With Brexit now cemented after the British elections last month, we are starting to taste the first consequences of the populist and Euro-skeptic policies and governments we all chose to adopt since the economic crisis, from the newer EU members to the old.

The sad thing is that we resolved to those choices when our pockets were hurt, however we disturbingly opted to vent our anger and frustration once again towards migrants and in addition, to turn against our greatest political achievement of the past decades; the EU.

Admittedly, it is hard to have all countries of Europe agree on something. They have different economies, mentalities, cultures and historical “baggage”, that even though they strive for the same thing, they squabble.

Take immigration for example. One would have thought, that while having established freedom of movement and a market economy which every political elite on the continent reveres and defends, immigration especially within the EU would not have caused such ripples.

Our economic model needs immigrants, so unless we chose to radically change it and alter our social template, we must accept that immigration is here to stay. We cannot have the welfare benefits we enjoy, without someone working and paying for them.

Of course, there must be a distinction between migrants and refugees, the second causing such a terror in Europe lately, that people would happily prefer to give up their freedoms and privileges as EU nationals, in order to keep them out.

Not that the arrival of so many people outside or Europe in such a short time, does not pose serious challenges and problems, or it is only our problem to tackle. But for most, it is the least we can do until their countries are livable again.

With the people escaping from war torn regions, come naturally economic migrants and others who see our continent as a land of promise and opportunity, just as many of our ancestors saw other continents in the past.

They are the ones that are most unwanted. Understandably, native Europeans fear the drastic change that a large number of new comers bring, especially when politicians fail to explain to them the conditions these people live and work in, the benefits they bring and of course, how many enter but also are repatriated or deported.

  

With a single market and freedom of movement long established, Europe should by now have its common immigration policy and unity, when dealing with such crises and challenges. However, the EU is comprised by states with a very different view on citizenship, nationality and immigration laws, that have formed through very different paths in history.

The Western part, had for centuries colonized other continents, resulting in vast, multi-ethnic and multi-religious empires. To them, citizenship and national identity is more tolerant of multiculturalism, because their elites had to convince their subjects that they share a common identity, in order to justify their rule over such a mosaic of peoples.

In addition, they enjoyed economic growth and wealth far earlier, thus they experienced immigration into their countries since the ‘50s in some cases; enough time to develop a new sense of ethnic identity and citizenship, or at least get used to migrants.

Contrary to them, many Eastern and Central new EU member states have a more nation-oriented sense of citizenship, as they were not as exposed to multiculturalism for as long as their western piers. So, when they were faced with such societal alterations such as inward immigration and dealing with refugees, understandably there was fear and skepticism.

Something that local populists exploited and used the failures of Western Europe as an example, in order to help promote their xenophobic agenda. Because yes, even after so many decades of experiencing inward migration, the western European states haven’t in all cases achieved to manage immigration properly.

In a discussion with a Belgian national last year, we ended up talking about the state in the city of Brussels, in which large parts have turned into immigrant ghettos, an image that often is used by populists as an example of “what is to come”, if other countries fall under the “islamisation”  of Europe.

He explained some of the grave mistakes that the Belgian government has made, when out of guilt for their actions in their African colonies in the past, in combination with their need of labor force due to their nation’s industrialization, they have decided to attract many immigrants from their former colonies like Congo to live and work in Belgium.

With them, others followed from countries like Morocco and the Belgians loosened their immigration laws in order to facilitate the enrichment of their country’s labor force, plus to compensate many from their former colonies.

When their economy and industries changed and they clearly did not need as many immigrants, the establishment found it hard to touch the sensitive matter of immigration, out of complex and guilt, or simply out fear of being branded racists. 

As Brussels is divided in different districts and jurisdictions and Belgium itself in two major language-based authorities, the immigration issue soon became a matter that was passed on from one authority to the other like a hot potato. In the end nobody took responsibility for it, so any efforts for integrating or controlling the number entering the country was left to run by old laws and an outdated approach.

Thus, we have today not just Brussels, but many other western European capitals and large cities, faced with the same problem and that is something that others use as an example to refuse to open their borders to refugees; breaking the ranks with their European partners and exposing the EU’s inability to promote solidarity among its members on such issue.

In the western part of Europe too, immigration has become a hot topic, one of the main reasons-or excuses- for Brexit, the rise of the far Right in France, populist government in Italy, terrorism in Norway in the face of Anders Breivik.

These incidents simply express Europe’s identity crisis, but also the failures of our governments which are the real cause of the problem and not immigration itself or the free movement.

Although everyone benefits from them, in dire times it is easier to blame Eastern European workers for unemployment and the loss of jobs, even though in recent years, large numbers are returning to their economically booming homelands.

Under the current social and economic model we adopted, non-EU immigrants are necessary to maintain our social security, growth and investments. Yet we are finding hard to integrate them and once we do not have jobs for them anymore, out of guilt and complex we do not encourage them to return to their home countries or seek new opportunities to other EU member states.

They are forced to live in poverty-stricken ghettos, with less opportunities than the rest and naturally, wherever there is poverty and exclusion, come institutionalization and radicalization. The native population is confused, as they fear they are losing their identity and control over their communities and societies.

In addition, when their governments fail to secure them jobs, they become desperate or angry and rightly so. However, they also often oppose necessary reforms, in order to maintain benefits and privileges that are not in sync with the modern reality.

Thus, consequently and out of desperation they want to return to what they know best: the nation state that raised them comfortably. European countries have shown two trends when dealing with the refugee crisis, some like Sweden and Germany accepted many people in, while others like Hungary are trying hard to keep as many out.

  

It remains to be seen how well the first two countries can integrate their new arrivals on their own and not conduct the mistakes of Belgium, or for how long Hungary can have the tolerance of their European partners.

Europe needs strong leadership right now and an EU that will convince its members to agree to a common immigration policy, that will heal these divisions and soothe the mistakes conducted by the national governments in the past.

A policy that will complement the freedom of movement and allow people from within, but also outside the EU, to be able to contribute with their knowledge and expertise, move freely in the block and enrich their own skills.

We could decide on the educational background of the immigrants we would like to attract, just like Canada and Australia are doing. Perhaps we could even open immigration centers in the regions of the migrants’ origin, instead of allowing them to enter illegally in Europe.

The list of what we could do to streamline Europe’s immigration policy is endless, however all is blocked by national governments who wish to maintain control over this issue; but in most cases it is them who are failing.

Sharing responsibility and resources, could be the solution and the answer to the immigration question, which has become so prominent in our continent recently. Yet we are a long way in accepting this reality and thus, we prolong the problem with a negative impact on everyone individually, but above all the future of European unity and integration.