Enrico Cau, PhD’s Post

Today colleagues from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium (in its capacity as current Council Presidency) the EU Delegation in Brasilia, in cooperation with the EU External Service Crisis Response Centre organized a so called table top exercise. During the exercise EU Consulates and Embassies in Brazil were presented with a crisis scenario. Aim was, among others to practice, cooperate and exchange ideas on how to further strengthen our joint consular crisis prepardness on the basis of simulation. A very useful exercise raising our collective awareness with regards to possible future crisis situations! And usefull insights - having the recent flood crisis in Rio Grande do Sul in mind. Four Cs: communication, coordination, collaboration, and cooperation. Participating on behalf of the NL diplomatic network in Brazil: Koen Willemsen Peter de Bruijn and myself - Kingdom of the Netherlands in Brazil

https://lnkd.in/duStpMRY The forthcoming negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, set to take place in Almaty, mark a significant step towards fostering lasting peace in the South Caucasus. President Tokayev's welcoming of this agreement reflects a collective commitment to dialogue and reconciliation. Almaty, steeped in historical significance, provides a fitting backdrop for these talks, echoing the spirit of cooperation that led to the Alma-Ata Declaration. By convening in this symbolic setting, there is hope that the negotiations will yield tangible results, advancing the cause of stability and prosperity in the region. This initiative offers a beacon of hope for Eastern Europe, signaling a new era of cooperation and peacebuilding.

Stratbase president and professor Dindo Manhit supports the call on regional allies to intensify their collective efforts in addressing China’s increasing assertiveness. He highlighted the strategic importance of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan, which was unanimously ratified by the Senate on Dec. 16. “The RAA sends a resounding message that the Philippines and Japan will stand resolute in the Indo-Pacific. It is crucial for the Philippines and like-minded partners, such as Japan, to deepen strategic cooperation to uphold peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Manhit said. https://lnkd.in/gsCnzM_y

🇦🇲🤝🇦🇿 In his latest article Gulkhanim Mammadova reviews the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks in 2024, by identifying the most relevant tracks, remarkable progress, and the present obstacles. https://lnkd.in/e5ktCziR

China-Taiwan Competition: Why It Matters for Peace and Stability in the Pacific United States Institute of Peace 11 Jul 2024 The question of whether to recognize Taiwan or China has dominated headlines about the Pacific region in recent years. And in January, Nauru switched recognition from Taiwan to China, reducing Taiwan's total number of international partners to 12, with only three remaining in the Pacific. With China at a seeming advantage, why do Taiwan and China still compete over diplomatic recognition — especially when recognition has little impact on China’s ongoing competition with the United States in the region?  On July 10, USIP hosted a conversation on the motivations driving China’s competition with Taiwan in the Pacific and its implications for peace and stability in the region. The discussion explored how Beijing’s desire for international recognition, extraterritorial control over its diasporas and domestic legitimacy all play a factor. 

In his #AIES Comment, Omar Rasya Joenoes explores how Indonesia could mediate peace between Russia & Ukraine by reviving the Jakarta Informal Meeting model. With President Prabowo’s recent peace initiatives sparking debate, this low-precondition, flexible approach might just offer a fresh path toward dialogue. Could Indonesia’s diplomatic history pave the way for peace?📢 🔗Find the full report on our website: https://t.ly/HBni2

Are Kosovo-Serbia starting a detente? Is Belgrade inching towards the West? Tomorrow in Rome an informal and sharp discussion with Strategic Balkans at the Foreign Affairs Club on the opportunities for a decisive integration push of the Balkans till the Black Sea.

🇵🇭🇨🇳 Philippines, China to set up new channels to handle South China Sea rows The Philippines and China have agreed to set up new lines of communication to improve their handling of maritime disputes. Three communication channels would be established specifically for maritime issues, according to a document with highlights of an "Arrangement on Improving Philippines-China Maritime Communication Mechanisms", which was signed on July 2. The first channel would be used by "representatives to be designated by their leaders," with the other for respective foreign ministries at ministerial or vice-ministerial level, or their designated representatives. The third would involve their respective coast guards "which will be set up once the corresponding MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the coast guards is concluded." #ThePhilippines #China

From the #Diplomacy section… In a joint statement on Monday #China and #Vietnam vowed to further manage tensions over the contested #SouthChinaSea through #friendly consultations and #cooperation. In the declaration, the two sides also pledged to refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation and widen disputes. The primary reason for a commitment to avoid military conflict at sea is to reap the much more rewarding economic benefits of #trade by land. There are major #land crossings connecting China south from #Yunnan and China west from #Guangxi to Vietnam. The #Guangdong manufacturing powerhouse is a one day road trip through Guangxi to Vietnam.

Very interesting meeting of the Commission for Foreign Affairs of the Polish Parliament devoted to the Three Seas Initiative (3SI). The MFA presented its position on the 3SI: - 3SI is already strongly rooted and legitmized in the region and could play a more vital role in the context of lesser cooperation in the V4 and B9 format. - The Covid pandemic and Russian invasion of Ukraine proved the significance of the 3SI goals of development of regional infrastructure. - The 3SI still presents inused potential to be a platorm fostering economic cooperation in sectoral policies on the EU forum. It could help to build blocking minorities on the EU affairs and also some positive agenda in the future. - The 3SI helps in development - Due to transatlantic approach of most of the participating countries the 3SI is a vehicle to strengthen the resilience and economic security of the Central Europe and facilitates looking for synergies in cooperation between Central Europe and Nordic countries. - Cooperation in the 3SI strengthens the position of Poland in the Weimar Triangle and its relations with Asian countries such as Japan. Link to the video: https://lnkd.in/dUkfjvrv