NATO Foreign Ministers met earlier this week to discuss current threats to the Alliance, including an internal rift with member state Turkey and the ongoing threats of Russia and China.

In a report made public yesterday, a 10-person group of experts, including Polish MEP Anna Fotyga, made the case that the main threat to the Euro-Atlantic region is a resurgent Russia and arguing that NATO must develop new strategic concepts in response to new challenges.

According to Fotyga, the report contains 138 recommendations aimed at preparing the Alliance for the next decade’s challenges. Along with detailed information on Russia and China, the report includes extensive chapters on energy security, cybersecurity and emerging technologies, and the need for internal NATO reforms regarding political cohesion and decision-making processes.

The full report, entitled „NATO 2030: United for a New Era,” is available on the NATO website.

Source: PAP, nato.int

A prominent Hungarian politician and senior member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s conservative Fidesz party has been forced to resign as MEP after being caught attempting to escape an illicit house party.

Jozsef Szajer was one of 20 men reportedly detained by Belgian police at a house party last Friday. Current rules in the Belgian capital forbid meetings of more than four people in an enclosed space.

In a statement issued yesterday, Szajer admitted to breaking lockdown rules and apologized for his “irresponsible” conduct but continued to deny allegations he was also in possession of narcotics at the time.

The negative international publicity comes at an awkward time for the Hungarian government as it continues to seek support in its dispute with Brussels over rule of law criteria in the proposed EU budget.

Source: Reuters

The Polish government is receiving „disturbing signals” that Poles are afraid of being tested for the coronavirus, according to Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska.

In an interview with state broadcaster TVP Info, Kraska theorized that Poles are „…afraid that a positive result will complicate their lives, because they’ll have to go into isolation and their family will have to be in quarantine.”

He went on to add that testing was key „for our safety, for the safety of our loved ones.” While the number of confirmed infections has been dropping recently, the number of tests administered has also declined, a worrying trend for health officials.

On Tuesday, Poland reported 9,105 new coronavirus infections and 449 additional deaths, bringing its total number of confirmed cases to 999,924, and reported COVID fatalities to 17,599.

As countries like the UK begin to announce their vaccination plans publicly, the Polish government is reportedly set to follow suit, with the Health Minister expected to make an announcement today regarding Poland’s vaccination strategy.

Source: Radio Poland, PAP

International decision-makers and government ministers from more than a dozen countries are set to discuss green energy and a transition to a low-carbon economy at an international online conference organized by the Polish Ministry of Climate and the Environment.

The „People and Climate: Just Transition in Practice” conference provides a forum for sharing best practices on managing the shift to low-carbon energy. Representatives from various international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Commission, and the World Bank are expected to participate in the event, which follows up on a series of similar debates last year.

The conference begins just as Poland’s largest state-owned oil refiner, PKN Orlen, unveils its own long-term green strategy. CEO Daniel Obajtek announced on Monday that his company had committed to investing more than 30 billion EUR (USD 36 bn) over the next 10 years as the group shifts to clean energy sources.

Source: Radio Poland

Weather

Today will be partly cloudy and cold, with a strong breeze coming in from the southeast and very little chance of rain or snow. Temperatures will remain below freezing today, with a high of -1 °C, or 31°F, dropping slightly to a chilly overnight low of -4°C or 24°F. Clouds are set to roll in tomorrow with a chance for rain again on Friday.

EP/am