The National:

Independence is a normal thing. Lots of countries are independent. Every week, we'll tell our reader what other countries are doing with the powers on independence.

Denmark wins £176m loan for rail link tunnel

PROOF that the European Union invests in small nations has come with news of a massive £176 million loan to Denmark for a scheme to improve rail links to the forthcoming tunnel project that will link the south of the country to Hamburg in Germany.

Denmark, with a population slightly more than that of Scotland, has been given the loan by the European Investment Bank (EIB), the lending arm of the EU, for new rail links to prepare for the Fehmarn Belt railway connection between southern Denmark and Hamburg which is due to open in 2028.

A/S Femern Landanlaeg, the company managing the Danish contribution to building the Fehmarn Belt, signed the deal with the EIB last week. The project concerns some 80 km of railway between Ringsted and Nykobing Falster, where the existing tracks will be modernised and a second track will be built. The financing also covers bridge works on the 40 km stretch between Nykobing Falster and Rodby, which serve to prepare the Danish rail network for the Fehmarn Belt tunnel opening. The loan will also pay for the implementation of the European Railway Traffic Management System.

EIB vice-president Alexander Stubb commented: “Let’s face it: we all know that to reach the goals set by the Paris agreement, we need to cut our CO2 emissions. You can do this by cutting on travel, business and tourism, but the better option is probably to provide alternative modes of transportation that do not hurt the environment as much. The EIB is the biggest financier of climate-relevant projects in the world, and we’re 100% behind the Fehmarn Belt railway link.”

Emphasising the “greening” policy, Violeta Bulc, EU Commissioner for Transport, said: “The Fehmarn Belt tunnel between Denmark and Germany is a key project to bring Europeans closer. “

13 MEPs for Ireland but two may not take seats
COUNTING in the European Parliament elections in Ireland was still going on last night as The National went to press, but the damaging effect of Brexit on the Republic was made abundantly clear yesterday afternoon.

A total of 13 MEPs will eventually represent Ireland, but two of those MEPs will only take their seats if or when Brexit occurs.

After a row over the division of votes in the Dublin region, Fianna Fail candidate Barry Andrews was confirmed as the fourth MEP for the constituency.

The Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe and Fine Gael’s Frances Fitzgerald won the first and second seats respectively on Monday, but after a suspended count, Independents 4 Change TD (MP) Clare Daly took third place with Andrews in fourth.

Andrews will thus not be able to take his seat in Strasbourg and Brussels until Brexit happens, and he eloquently explained the difficulty he faces.

He said: “I see Brexit as a disaster for this island. You don’t have to study it to understand what a negative impact it will have. But if Brexit does happen I’m ready to serve in the European Parliament.”

Cuffe hailed the Greens advance: “It is a great day for the Green Party but also a green wave that is sweeping Europe and I think today and this weekend shows that young people want to see change.

“They have spoken to their parents and grandparents and I think the people have voted for an alternative to business as usual. I think this is an auspicious day for the Irish Green Party.”

The final tally will be on The National website.

Slovenia’s EU call for North Macedonia to join union
SLOVENIA has called on the European Union to “name the date” for the start of accession talks for North Macedonia to join the Union, a move which could have implications for Scotland if we become independent and want to rejoin the EU. Both countries have a population 40% less than that of Scotland, but as with every other EU country, Slovenia is treated as an equal member. That is why its support for North Macedonia to join the EU, and also Nato, is being seen as a major boost to the former Yugoslav Republic which changed its name to North Macedonia in January after years of dispute with neighbouring Greece which has an ancient region of Macedonia.

North Macedonian leader Zoran Zaev met Slovenia’s Prime Minister Marjan Sarec on Monday and stated his country’s support for North Macedonia to get a date for the launch of EU accession talks. No date has been given by the EU – understandable because of the parliament election – but both North Macedonia and the EU have committed to the talks and hope they can start later this month.

Those wishing to take an independent Scotland back into the EU will hope that North Macedonia is given a quick entry process and becomes a member sooner rather than later so as not to hold up Scottish membership. Total Slovenia News reported from a press conference at which the Slovenian prime minister said that the European Commission should acknowledge North Macedonia’s “great progress” on this path.

Sarec noted in particular the Prespa Agreement, the treaty reached in June 2018 between North Macedonia and Greece to resolve the long-running name dispute and end the blockade of North Macedonia’s bid to join Nato and the EU.

The Slovenian leader argued that integrating the Western Balkans into the EU, “in particular North Macedonia, which has made enormous progress”, was important for the development of the region and the entire EU.

The two countries also signed a £450 million trade deal.