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Imperfect EC press conference readout, ‘Hungry for Hungary’ edition, 10.2.2021

Don’t quote, don’t trust, definitely verify, my comments in brackets.

12:04: [Trying to get Marta. Marta! Where are you? Marta’s vid isn’t working.]

Eric: EP granted approval to facility regulation (RF), at the heart of the next generation EU. Lots of money for grants and loans. Recovery and Resilience Facility Regulation, green and digital transitions, yada yada yada. Press releases and Q&As available online.

Tim in brave French. 68 million euro to Croatia for next generation broadband.  

12:07, Q&A. [‘Here’s where the fun begins.’]

Katerine. Media freedom & rule of law, about Hungary (naturally). Another voice silenced in Hungary. Watcha think about that?

Eric: yeah, we’ll come back to this question [perhaps at the end of time]. Go to… Audile?

Audile: Myanmar. Accelerating repression. Serious stuff. Watcha think?

Nabila, nice eyewear: yeah, we’ve talked about that. We’ve been clear. Very clear. Gonna keep contact with the authorities. [Aaaand that’s about it.] 

Eric: anything else? Kataline about Club Radio. 

Katerine: Hungarian radio station, Club Radio, license suspended. Another voice silenced. Watcha gonna do? You’ve talked about media pluralism. So?

Specialist comes up, didn’t catch name: We Have Expressed Our Concerns About Media Pluralism in Hungary. We Are In Contact With Hungarian Authorities. [They picked up the phone once, perhaps by accident.]

12:14 – Male journalist, didn’t catch name, bad hair day, or perhaps it’s just bed hair: So, Hungary. Watcha gonna do? [Didn’t catch all the question.]

Christian in brave French: we don’t have fixed date [for something]. 

Eric: to Arianna, about media.

Arianna in brave French: Hungary media. Concerning the public broadcaster. MS have broad leeway to decide what ‘public broadcasting’ is [I think]. State aid, not sure what she’s getting at. Yada yada yada. We’re gonna reflect about the rule of law report.

Katherine [I think], who is pumped up for this: What is the Commission doing to access all this? Going on for a long time. Inaction on the Commission’s side. What are you doing? Yes, a lot of discretion but you’ve given the benefit of the doubt to these governments and haven’t been doing anything on your side. Watcha gonna do? HUH?

12:21, Arianna: we are actively accessing the complaints we’ve received. This takes time. We’re accessing. The duration of the assessment of the 1st and 2nd complaints [second, government aid to media], we’re looking into it [dammit].

Katherine: WHAT? Come on! Urgency? Also, second question for Christian. 

Arianna: Complex Matters. [Spooky background music.] We Are Looking Into It. State aid aspect of matters.

Katherine: for Christian. You said EC will not hesitate. But the decision on Club Radio is an appeal. We’re already aware there is a problem. Should be transparency, non-discimrinatory, independent. Do you think you should have this in Hungary, huh? Huh? HUH?

Christian: on earlier question, clear position, EC attached great value to… [I missed it]. Rule of Law report recalls, re Poland, from 2016 reform, some competences of media regulatory authority taken away and given to someone else. Public broadcasters have a special responsibility re public money. Club Radio case, been very clear, We Are Looking Into Implications Of This Decision. Subject to EU telecoms rules. We’re in contact with Hungarian authorities. [Look, what do you want us to do? GIVE US A BREAK!]

Journalist in actual French, somewhere in Brussels (can see the grey skies outside): Covid. Human rights. Are you making exceptions [re lockdown]? [I didn’t understand everything]

Eric: [So I didn’t understand the response]

[And here I figured out how to change to the English translation]

Christian: … [the question was in fact about Covid and concerns about violating human rights during lockdown] work is underway. Re measures taken by France. MS making efforts to keep the sanitary conditions under control. We have guidelines re free movement. Joint priority to keep sanitary conditions under control while [minimising] effects on free movement. 

Eric: more rule of law questions for Christians.

Polish journalist question, didn’t catch name: Our screens turned black and websites empty b/c of Polish levy on media. So. What’s your comment?

Christian: yeah. We’ve seen the black screens. Our concerns well known, outlined in rule-of-law report. MS fiscal policies can’t affect free, independent, and free media ecosystem.  We need to support media [hopefully with cool sound-bytes]. We Follow The Situation Closely.

Eric, whose temperature appears to be rising: Katherine you’re very enthusiastic today [translation: oh no not again].

Katherine: In Warsaw, someone [didn’t catch who] making a symbolic gesture in front of a judge, facing prosecution b/c he allowed presence of media during a case. What does this tell us about the rule of law in Poland and do you think your actions have been effective?

Eric: [do you really think I’m going to answer] We’ve discussed this before, we don’t [react] to every single event. [Hmmm.] Don’t want to transform this media briefing into a discussion on all the things and on what we’re doing. [Double Hmmm.] 

Christian: We have an infringement case. Let’s, yeah, let the process take its course. [Stop badgering us!]

Eric: I’m closing the rule of law chapter. [Triple Hmmmm.]

Matthew: [Well I’m gonna re-open that chapter] It’s about Hungary again. Hungry for Hungary. Not so much about rule of law about the fact that the EC is asking Hungary to change the rules re public procurement and being made condition on European aid and Hungarian authorities not complying.

Marta comes in suddenly, a bit confusing: We don’t comment on leaks [?].  No comments on any plans or projects of investments plans, what have you. Will stress once again, regulation very clear, MS have to set up checks and controls to avoid fraud, corruption, any conflicts of interest, etc, that’s what we’re asking the MS to do, and they’ll have to react to any recommendations addressed to them and you can consult them on our website. 

Matthew follow-up: EC hasn’t formally request that Hungary modify it’s process for allocating public procurement contracts.

Marta: We’re not gonna comment on ongoing discussions with MS. The rules are very clear. 

Eric: think Marta gave an extensive response, can’t add anything. Over to Nicola.

Nicola: [silence]

Eric: Eh? What up? A mic issue. Someone else.

Greek journalist, I think: Cyrpus technical packages. What happen to the [?] case? [No idea what this is about.]

Eric: That sounds like sun and olive oil. [What?]

Specialist, she spoke in English but I didn’t understand the answer. Very technical, I think about food.

Eric: you have a configuration issue. [Don’t we all.] On to Guillermo.

Guillermo: Sputnik vaccine. Do you have any new info about its path to approval? Did the Borrell visit have any effect re the vaccine?

Eric: you should talk to the EMA.

Specialist: EMA has made a request for medical advice. Sputnik V not part of the vaccine strategy. EC and MS can discuss. Must have production capacity in the EU.

Eric: our agreements not with governments, but with companies. [interesting point]

Yannis: Johnson & Johnson, US export ban on vaccines, concerns about delays of vaccine deliveries to MS. Is the Commission on top of this? 

Mariam: the US has an exec order on access to vaccines, issued in December, priority access for Americans, and defence production act, but we’re not aware of any export ban as such. For J&J, vaccine deliveries need export authorisation.  

José: Is finally the EC going to use the Russian vaccine? Russia considered a big enemy of European democracy?

Eric, who appears to be glowing now: we’re not going to debate this every single day. Sputnik vaccine not part of the European strategy on vaccine. Any vaccines that wants to be distributed in EU must obtain positive assessment of EMA. A different issue that we may consider a vaccine be included in our own strategy, that we invest in the company up front via advance purchasing agreement. [He’s lost me.]  We’re not in discussion with Sputnik V producers to produce the vaccine.

Tommaso: Novavax [a vaccine I think]. Next week? In Italy, as you know, statements from regions, I think it’s possible for a state to purchase doses… [eh? Basically, can regions do their own thing.]

12:56 Stephan: Novavax, discussions ongoing. We’re working towards a contract with this company. Before we sign an advance purchase agreement, MS asked whether they want to opt-out. Then MS, during discussions, divide doses between them. MS may, if they wish, have fewer numbers or more of a certain vaccine, so the system gives flexibility for a different distribution system. I hope this clarifies things a little bit. [No irony detected.]

Marco: Italian region of Veneto and other regions, they have announced they’d like to negotiate directly with the vaccine manufacturers. But EC already signed contracts with them. Is this in line with EC strategy? Would you encourage regions to negotiate with manufacturers?

Stephan: Basic strategy to negotiate together and not in parallel. So we’re in agreement for no parallel negotiations. So… no need for parallel or bilateral negotiations, which would run counter to our strategy.

David, with a grey Brussels sky behind him: any progress in increased production capacities, or things just going to go on like this? [what a depressing thought]

Eric: task force just been set up. Work is ongoing. One last question [before my skin melts].

Naomi: Why is von der Leyen not going to give more replies to the MEPs today? 

Eric: No, this was foreseen from the beginning. Prez makes introductory speech, but debate closed by Commissioner in charge of the portfolio.

Naomi: But she was down on the roster just a short time ago. Why was that changed?

Eric: Don’t know why the Prez’s name was on the roster. Commissioner in charge. I will close. [BOOZY LUNCH NECESSARY]

Odd thoughts on random subjects, no. 1, 9.2.2021

  1. There’s something fundamentally calming about watching ‘Exterior Shots of the European Commission’ while browsing the EC’s Audiovisual Service portal. It feels like watching the crackling of a fireplace at Christmas.
  2. Why does Brussels collect waste in little plastic bags that people leave outside their doors two days a week? Why not just leave everything in a wheelie bin down the street?
  3. Fake news hates real news, and fake news attacks real news by calling it fake. But which is real and which is fake?
  4. Watching Sergei Lavrov talking about disinformation is like watching Kylo Ren wax sentimental about Father’s Day.
  5. Speaking of Kylo Ren, he and Rey were the only characters in the last three Star Wars films worth watching. Convince me I’m wrong.
  6. Got me a treadmill before lockdown. SUCK IT BASIC FIT
  7. After Brexit happened, I had a tiny moment of feeling morally superior to the UK. Then Trump happened.
  8. The only bad thing about the pedestrian zone downtown is that, with traffic noise mostly gone, you can really hear the screaming of the drunks.
  9. These days, the ‘news’ is so absurd that only comedians can report it.
  10. Can you entirely divorce foreign policy from economic policy? Can you say, ‘You’re been bad bad bad, here’s money for the gas’?
  11. As Lenin once said in so many words, the first victims of propaganda are its creators.
  12. There’s no reason, in any context, to ever use the phrase ‘in a transparent way’. The phrase is an ABOMINATION.
  13. The first question in the Borrell-Lavrov press conference was a speech by a Sputnik reporter denouncing the alleged persecution of Sputnik reporters by the Latvian government. Borrell responds that he trusts the Latvian judiciary to deal with the situation. The second question is a bizarre interjection of US-Cuba relations that seems intended to highlight differences between the US and the EU regarding the country. The reporter wants Borrell to comment, although it’s hard to say about what. The reporter also says that ‘American journalists’ asked him to ask that question, although it’s not clear if he’s talking about US journalists or journalists from elsewhere in the Americas. Even more bizarrely, after Borrell expresses surprise about the Cuba question, Lavrov says that Borrell shouldn’t be surprised because if he always gets questions abroad about Ukraine, then Borrell should get questions about Cuba. Uh? Lavrov then rambles on about Cuba for what seems like hours.
  14. Honestly, what pro-Kremlin propaganda seems to dislike, more than anything, is the EU.
  15. The EU is one of the best things, and in some ways the best thing, that humanity’s got going right now. Convince me I’m wrong.

The bitter bear: Russian foreign policy is in a dark and angry place

EU foreign affairs chief Joseph Borrell has an extraordinary blog post up about his recent visit to Russia.

Keep in mind that Borrell speaks in the deliberately measured tone of a diplomat. So when he describes a ‘very complicated visit to Moscow,’ you can be sure that some complicated shite went down.

Borrell’s take-away: ‘It seems that Russia is progressively disconnecting itself from Europe.’ He does not like saying that. One has the impression of a man shocked into a geopolitical realisation that he had much hoped to avoid.

The cause appears to have been the attitude of Borrell’s Russian interlocutors. He writes that after he made an appeal for Navalny’s release, the discussion with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, ‘reached high levels of tension’.

Diplomats usually use that phrase to describe shouting matches, or the quiet the comes just before bullets start flying.

The picture that emerges is one of Russian officials who are prickly to the point of hostility, and eager to respond to any hint of criticism with the blast of a rhetorical shotgun. Almost Trumpian, you might say.

Western security analysts, and in particular US analysts, often fall into the trap of comparing our emotion-based foreign policies with the allegedly calculating, opportunistic, and hyper-rational policies of Russian leaders. But it seems to me that the Russians can be just as emotional as the rest of us, if not more so.

Until last month, US President Donald Trump – whose hurt feelings and seething grievances cast a broad shadow over the US foreign policy establishment – made the Russians appear rational in comparison. But now that he’s gone and a more practical approach is in control, we can appreciate how gut-based much Kremlin foreign policymaking can be.

That realisation brings us back to Borrell. Reading only a little between the lines, his account seems to confirm just how much even the highest Russian officials base their decisions on petty grievances and perceived slights, perhaps because, deep down, they know that the Navalny controversy is one that they brought on themselves.

As Americans have learned well during the last four years, a gut-based foreign policy tends to create its own problems. For example, Russia’s politicised roll-out of what appears to be an effective vaccine has created a wave of Western suspicion towards Sputnik V that will be slow in dying. That suspicion, in turn, provokes the Russians even more.

The whole cycle could have been avoided if the Russians had adopted a more low-key approach, rather than triumphantly and falsely declaring back in August that they had created the world’s first vaccine and then aggressively pushed it while attacking Western vaccines.

The EU’s choice seems obvious. Back away slowly from the Russians and rebuild a clear-eyed transatlantic relationship with the newly cooperative Americans knowing that, in four years, things could change again.

But at least American resentment tends to be focussed inwards on domestic political opponents. Russian resentment seems to be focussed outwards towards Western Europe, an altogether more frightening prospect.

American, but want to live and work in Europe? Here’s one easy way how

A typical but unfulfilled dream for many Americans is to live and work in Europe, at least for awhile. Long enough, perhaps, to learn that language they’ve always wanted to learn — French, Italian, or even German.

Well, guess what. It’s a lot easier to do than you might think. In fact, you could get on a plane tomorrow and find a job in Italy in a matter of weeks, or even days (if you’re lucky).

Continue reading “American, but want to live and work in Europe? Here’s one easy way how”

Will We Someday Ask Ourselves, Maybe Trump Wasn’t That Bad?

Recently it occurred to me that no matter how bad how presidents tend to be, their successors are usually worse. So much worse, in fact, that we’re obliged to re-think our terrible opinions of previous presidents.

Take Nixon, the president who was impeached and resigned from office. “Well, he was a vindictive anti-semite who tried to subvert the Constitution… but on the other hand, he did establish the Environmental Protection Agency. So maybe he wasn’t that bad.”

Continue reading “Will We Someday Ask Ourselves, Maybe Trump Wasn’t That Bad?”

Trump doesn’t crave war, but he does crave its TV ratings

Now that the America-firsters are more or less in place, others are saying that the President has assembled a ‘war cabinet.’

That strikes me as giving Psycho Trump too much credit. His goal isn’t war. His goal is attention, and he pursues it through a borish, juvenile belligerence that could result in war but more through hare-brained miscalculation than any conscious strategy.

Continue reading “Trump doesn’t crave war, but he does crave its TV ratings”

Introduction

This is a blog for North Americans who are fascinated by Europe, or for Europeans who are fascinated by North America, or for those in one group who are a bit frightened or suspicious of the other. It’s also a blog for those about to travel to Belgium or Europe more generally, and who want to know more about the best places to go or eat, and the more interesting things to do.

I grew up in Kentucky, an American treasury of high European culture. Following a year abroad in Spain in 1988/89 that changed my life, I pursued studies in international relations and ended up working as a speechwriter for the NATO Secretary General. I left that job in 2015, but remained in Brussels to stay with my partner, who works here. This blog is meant as an outlet for my interests including topics as varied as transatlantic security, climate change, and the problems inherent in creating meaningful political language that appeals to people while actually addressing real problems. (Today, more often than not, those two characteristics have little to do with one another.) But I also hope to give my readers information that they might not find elsewhere — or, at least, a take that connects information in a way that more mainstream media outlets do not.

Below, find some of the blogs that I’ve written over the years and imported into this site. They’ll give you a sense of my style, and the sorts of things I like to talk about.

If you sign up using the widget on the sidebar, then every week or two I’ll send you a short newsletter with interesting notes about North American-European relations, European Union, and local Belgian affairs. This newsletter won’t repeat widely reported mass media stories. (As you may have noticed, most daily morning newsletters from big media outlets tend to say more or less the same thing.) Instead, I’ll try to pick out stories that flew slightly under the mainstream radar. There is, of course, no charge for this newsletter, and you are welcome to forward it around.

Thanks for reading, and please don’t hesitate to leave comments or get in touch.

Best,
Patrick Stephenson

How NATO Can Reach Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

The following article appeared on the website of the Atlantic Council in October 2015.

A few months ago, I confronted NATO’s greatest threat. It wasn’t a line of Russian tanks or insidious cyber-code. It was a group of students at my high school alma mater, Deerfield Academy.

I paid a visit to the campus in May, and my gracious host, Director of Global Studies David Miller, invited me to a student meal. Intros went around. But before we tucked into our turkey, I had a question. Who is the NATO Secretary General?

Continue reading “How NATO Can Reach Tomorrow’s Leaders Today”

Are Europeans and Americans Drifting Apart?

The following article appeared in The Huffington Post in 2014.

Broader surveillance was supposed to be about catching terrorists, not about eavesdropping on a German leader who’s been one of America’s best friends.

Revelations that the National Security Agency tapped German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s private mobile phone have made a big impression here in Brussels and across Europe. They have given concrete form to a long-held European suspicion: that sometimes when America talks about protecting the West from terrorism, it really means conducting surveillance for its own economic and political advantage. It turns out that it’s not about your security, this example seems to say; it’s about our prosperity.

Continue reading “Are Europeans and Americans Drifting Apart?”

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