Palau International Ship Registry’s Post

[ 📃 Sharing history] The 9th of May is celebrated as Europe Day due to its connection with the historic declaration by Robert Schuman. In 1950, during a speech inspired by Jean Monnet, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Schuman, proposed the pooling of France and the Federal Republic of Germany's coal and steel resources within an organization open to other European countries. This proposal, framed within a new political cooperation framework in Europe, aimed to render war unthinkable among European nations. Drafted in utmost secrecy, Schuman's declaration aimed to provoke a profound shift in mentalities to rally the peoples of Europe to this cause. Explore the history of the May 9th declaration in our thematic collections on the European integration process, delve into the drafting process with its nine preliminary versions, listen to the declaration and peruse international reactions to the declaration: https://lnkd.in/ggMidWiS #EuropeDay #EUHistory #Storytelling Universität Luxemburg European Parliament European Commission Anne Calteux Sam Elsey

Shifting Models of Sovereignty in the Pacific https://lnkd.in/g8GB7D8U The ambiguous and evolving status of the Cook Islands and Niue holds lessons for other Pacific powers. 

The Pacific Pivot: An American Strategy for the Pacific Islands https://lnkd.in/gg3pB8wK If successfully executed, U.S. national strategy in the Pacific Islands will advance a more secure, prosperous, and free region for Americans and Pacific Islanders alike.

https://lnkd.in/ge5Xwyap I have read thus far only the Executive Summary, but here this is for your perusal. Broadly speaking, the PIF members welcome the Quad, but some are critical of the “free and open Indo-Pacific” narrative that undergirds it. As the Quad seeks to bolster its engagement in the Pacific Islands, it should ensure that it accounts for the unique challenges facing this vast maritime region, which relies heavily on foreign assistance.

The Treaty of Paris of 1763 and the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 are two very different treaties, separated by over 150 years, that had significant impacts on the geopolitical landscape. While they are not directly related, there are some interesting parallels that can be drawn: Both treaties were negotiated and signed in Paris, France, giving the city a key role in shaping the international order at two critical junctures. The Sykes-Picot Agreement divided up the Middle East between the British and French after World War I, while the Treaty of Paris in 1763 ceded French and Spanish territories in North America to Britain after the Seven Years' War. #Treaty of Paris

Privileged earlier to capture some key reflections from Simon Coveney’s 4th John Hume European ‘Spirit of Peace’ Lecture at the Institute of International and European Affairs #IIEA 🌍 After introduction by former Deputy Minister and SDLP Leader Mark Durkan, Simon Coveney’s thought-provoking address pointed to key takeaways that included: 🔴 Europe at is at a Crossroads    •   With war raging in Europe again, countries like Poland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are significantly ramping up defence spending.    •   In Ireland, there’s a critical need to engage in meaningful discussions about our role in defence and security acknowledging that while Tánaiste Michael Martin has advanced this many still feel Ireland is free loading. 🔵 A Global Crisis of Multilateralism    •   The UN remains a crucial protector of smaller nations, but its effectiveness depends on collective responsibility.    •   History seems to be repeating itself, with geopolitical and economic tensions polarising nations and eroding trust in multilateral institutions. 🟢 Ireland’s Unique Position    •   As one of the most globalised economies in Europe and indeed the world, Ireland has thrived by being an open, international hub for innovation and investment.    •   However, with globalisation in retreat and a shifting geopolitical landscape, particularly in the U.S., Ireland must prepare for a world that looks very different. 🌍 The Bigger Picture    •   The conflict in the Middle East is a profound moral crisis, with harrowing statistics highlighting the toll on children in Gaza.    •   In an increasingly transactional and polarised world, the forces of populism and division must be countered. 🔑 Lessons from John Hume. As Simon Coveney reminded us, we must honour John Hume’s legacy by championing humility, values, and constructive politics. Ireland must use its influence wisely while respecting diversity and building bridges. All in all these remarks are a stark reminder of the challenges ahead, but also of Ireland’s potential to lead with compassion, pragmatism, and purpose. The ultimate question centres on how can Ireland best navigate these turbulent times while staying true to its traditional values? #Leadership #GlobalChallenges #JohnHume #Ireland #Geopolitics #Peace

This morning, the Government of Canada launched its new Arctic Foreign Policy. Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, President of ICC Canada, commented on the policy in Global Affairs Canada's press release: "Effective partnerships for a stronger, flourishing Arctic rely on co-development with Inuit, whether it be at home or abroad. Removing barriers for Inuit to connect with each other across borders and strengthening institutions, including the Arctic Council, are examples of what lies ahead. The Arctic Foreign Policy and policies like it must uphold Inuit self-determination, including our full and effective participation. We look forward to the work ahead with the federal government to make this happen.” Read the press release and the new policy here: https://lnkd.in/gkb8dSb2

🌊 On July 11th, the CSIS Southeast Asia Program and the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative hosted the 14th annual South China Sea Conference to discuss recent developments in the contentious region. Listen to the conference virtually here: https://lnkd.in/enyJcNDD 💬 Some of the conference’s key quotes include: 1️⃣ Rep. Darrell Issa: “Whether it’s Vietnam, Taiwan, or the Philippines, there are aggressive activities... on rights of free travel on the open seas, territorial rights of those three [countries], including their fishermen being aggressively thwarted by government-backed Chinese vessels every day.” 2️⃣ Jay Batongbacal: “The Second Thomas Shoal is interesting because it is a symbolic conflict. Nobody can see how a rusted, immobile ship all alone in the middle of the ocean could pose any threat to anyone, and yet the attention which China places onto this particular vessel is grossly disproportionate to the threat it poses.” 3️⃣ Nguyen Hung Son: “The notion that the Indo-Pacific is less risky than any other region is actually a misconceived assessment. The risk that all sides [are] pulled into an unwanted conflict is very real and that it is a very dangerous game of escalation, of brinkmanship, and the risk of escalation and testing the resolves of other[s] amid a very complex global context is very high.”