THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
Cyber security
Covid-19 vaccination
The European Civil Protection Mechanism supports countries in need
Josep Borrell criticises China (Ed/nc) On 17th July, EU High Representative Josep Borrell made a declaration on behalf of the EU urging China to take action against cyber-attacks undertaken from its territory. He announced that EU Member States, together with partners, were exposed to malicious cyber activities that significantly affected their economy, security, democracy and society and that the EU assesses these attacks to have been carried out from the territory of China. Borrell also stated that malicious
(Ed/nc) Through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Commission has so far supported the sharing of over 3m Covid-19 vaccines by Member States with countries outside the EU. The delivery is coordinated by the Commission which finances up to 75% of the costs of transport. Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management said: “EU Member States continue to support global vaccination efforts. 3m vaccines have al-ready been
photo: ©Near - stock.adobe.com
facilitated via the European Civil Protection Mechanism. I thank all countries for showing their solidarity. Vaccination for all is essential to beat this pandemic.” To date, EU Member States have pledged over 159m vaccine doses with countries outside the EU via Covax, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, or bilaterally. Member States have also delivered millions of masks, protective suits, disinfectants, and other support such as ambulances and ventilators to countries in need. Web https://bit.ly/3Bp3ZNn
EU – Hungary
HR/VP Josep Borrell
photo ©European Union
Next round in the ring (Ed/nc) In response to criticism from the European Union, Hungary’s far-right Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced a referendum on the new anti-LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer) law on 21st July. It is just another uppercut in Orbán’s fight with the EU that has reacted against his new law banning homosexual and transsexual people from being photo: ©European Union/ Alexandros Michailidis featuring in educational materials or prime TV, in shows and films aimed at children. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen officially stated that ”this Hungarian law is a shame.” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte even suggested that Hungary should leave the EU. Orbán hit back on 21st June, warning of the “sovietisation” of the EU and declaring that the European Parliament (EP) is only respecting its ideological and institutional interests. EP President David Sassoli commented: “Only those who don’t like democracy think of dismantling parliaments.” On 2nd July 2021 the Hungarian Prime Minister went into the next round, calling leaders of far-right parties in 16 countries to join forces to make their voices heard in the context of the current EU debate on the future of Europe. Finally, on 15th July, the European Commission launched legal action against Hungary over the new anti-LGBTIQ legislation and on 20th July, the second EU-wide rule-of-law report was published, highlighting the deteriorating situation of democratic standards in Hungary. Budapest is still awaiting the EU executive approval of its €7.2bn recovery plan...
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cyber activities with significant effects that targeted government institutions and political organisations in the EU and Member States as well as key European industries have been detected. He declared that these activities, conducted from China, can be linked to the hacker groups known as Advanced Persistent Threat 40 and Advanced Persistent Threat 31. The High Representative declared: “The EU and its Member States strongly denounce these malicious cyber activities, which are undertaken in contradiction with the norms of responsible state behaviour as endorsed by all UN member states. We continue to urge the Chinese authorities to adhere to these norms and not allow its territory to be used for malicious cyber activities, and take all appropriate measures and reasonably available and feasible steps to detect, investigate and address the situation.”
