Now Swedes say Brexit would weaken European security. No wonder Putin backs it!
Tomorrow's world will be tougher for Britain, as US hegemony ebbs, rival global power centres re-emerge, and international institutions stall. Leaving the EU would hurt Britain's ability to face these challenges, making it less secure and reducing its influence on global affairs, according to a new report from the European Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank, assessing the three dimensions of power - diplomatic, military and economic: http://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ECFR-100_YEARS_OF_SOLITUDE-may-2016.pdf
A British exit from the European Union would weaken European security, Sweden's defence minister said on Tuesday, adding to growing calls from international politicians and organisations for Britain to vote to remain in the bloc, reports Reuters. Britain is one of Sweden's closest allies in the European Union, with both opting out of the single currency: http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu-sweden-idUKKCN0Y81GY
POLITICO reports that credit ratings firm S&P asked 51 infrastructure investors, both in the U.K. and in the rest of the EU, what the impact of a Brexit on their business would be. According to most investors who responded, the overall impact of Brexit on U.K. infrastructure investment would be negative "within the next two to three years," while they were more split on the longer-term effect of a No vote: https://dub129.mail.live.com/?tid=cm6bGbwZQd5hGQdWw75af6yg2&fid=flinbox
The U.K.'s Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU Andy Lebrecht wrote about the dangers Brexit poses to British fishermen in InFacts, a pro-Remain site, yesterday, reports Politico Morning Agri and Food. "British fishermen would face considerably worsened prospects outside the EU. First, the U.K. would lose or have to pay for fishing rights in north Norwegian waters that are largely acquired by transfers to Norway from other EU states' fishing allocations," he said. "Second, tariff free access for fish exports to the EU market (worth £950 million in 2015) would be at risk. Finally, the U.K.'s absence from EU policy making could result in weaker conservation policy, which would harm stocks shared with the U.K.": https://dub129.mail.live.com/?tid=cmqhk6hnwd5hG8LAAjfeQWGg2&fid=flinbox
The UK has the second most names on a list of the 40 MEPs who matter most in shaping the politics of Europe, drawn up by the news website Politico. The UK has five names on the list, well behind Germany with 16. Most influential of the Brits is Nigel Farage. See the list and explanation here: http://www.politico.eu/list/the-40-meps-who-actually-matter-european-parliament-mep/
The [European] Commission will seek to protect children from online ads marketing unhealthy food and drinks, according to a draft proposal of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive seen by POLITICO. "The future Directive will reinforce the current provision seeking to protect minors from inappropriate audiovisual commercial communications of foods high in fat, salt/sodium and sugars and alcohol beverages by, where necessary, encouraging codes of conduct at the EU level," reads the draft: https://dub129.mail.live.com/?tid=cmqhk6hnwd5hG8LAAjfeQWGg2&fid=flinbox
The Commission yesterday released its feasibility report for a fish ecolabel scheme - the goal is to tell consumers which fish products meet environmental and sustainability standards, reports Politico Morning Agri and Food: https://dub129.mail.live.com/?tid=cmqhk6hnwd5hG8LAAjfeQWGg2&fid=flinbox
The European Commission will propose a quota requiring online video streaming services to offer at least 20% European content.A leaked proposal obtained by EurActiv.com will revise the six-year-old audiovisual media services directive and apply laws that currently apply to television to online streaming services like Netflix: http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-wants-netflix-to-carry-at-least-20-european-content/?nl_ref=13217914
"The euro area's ongoing recovery is expected to remain on track, with real GDP growth ticking up to 1.7 percent in 2016 from 1.5 percent last year," Moody's [the ratings agency] predicts, according to Politico Morning Exchange:
https://dub129.mail.live.com/?tid=cm6bGbwZQd5hGQdWw75af6yg2&fid=flinbox
Crisis-hit Macedonia on Wednesday (18 May) postponed elections due next month, after the European Union called on Skopje to delay the polls in order to ensure they could take place freely and fairly, reports EurActiv: http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/macedonia-postpones-election-under-eu-pressure/?nl_ref=13217914
Brigadier Robert Magowan, an officer from the British Royal Marines, will be the new operation commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia, reports Politico: https://dub129.mail.live.com/?tid=cmFbvUMXkd5hGNUgAjfePkHg2&fid=flinbox