TWO European Union nations with smaller populations than Scotland have celebrated their statehood days.
Yesterday, Croatia and Slovenia both marked the day when they gained their independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 28 years ago.
It was on June 25, 1991, that both countries made history. For Slovenia – population two million – it was the day their parliament passed the acts that made the country fully and formally independent the following day.
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Croatia’s referendum on independence took place on May 19, 1991, but the act of its parliament that made independence a reality did not take effect until June 25.
Slovenia’s president Borut Pahor addressed the national ceremony in the country’s capital Ljubljana on Monday, saying: “The establishment of an independent state 28 years ago is the most glorious milestone of our national history.” He added that statehood “makes us an equal part of the global architecture”.
In a separate address on Monday, Croatia’s prime minister Andrej Plenkovic said: “We are committed to building a society marked by developed democracy, freedom, equality and solidarity, as well as human rights and social responsibility.”
Brexit could cost 50,000 jobs in Ireland
UP to 50,000 jobs could be lost in the Republic of Ireland as a result of a no-deal Brexit, the country’s finance minister has warned.
Paschal Donohoe was speaking at the launch of the Irish government’s Summer Economic Statement (SES) which was dominated by the topic of Brexit. The minister portrayed two scenarios – one if a deal is achieved and one if no deal takes place.
The statement is issued before the budget which will be announced in October before Brexit is decided.
Donohoe says he will have just €700 million in extra money to spend in October’s budget, and if a no-deal Brexit emerges, the Irish economy will suffer.
Mentioning the figure of 50,000 jobs, Donohoe said: “If the country finds itself dealing with a disorderly Brexit, our first priority of the government will be to protect the country.”
He added: “It is clear that the external environment is becoming increasingly challenging and at this point in time a disorderly Brexit is a real possibility.
“That is why I am setting out two budgetary scenarios in this SES – the first involves an orderly Brexit occurring, while the second involves a disorderly scenario.
“While the sensible economic and fiscal policies implemented over recent years have placed Ireland in a stronger position to deal with challenges, including Brexit, continued careful management of the economy and of the public finances is needed now more than ever in order to chart our way forward through the uncertain times ahead.
“By approaching the SES in this way, we will ensure that we are prepared for all eventualities so that the public finances and our people are protected in the years to come.”
Donohoe stressed that the extra finance would only be available if there was a Brexit deal.
Could a Dane be the next EU president?
WITH Jean-Claude Juncker stepping down as president of the European Commission, no candidate has so far commanded enough support to replace him.
Yesterday, a surprise new candidate for the top job emerged in the shape of outgoing prime minister of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Filing Brexit to one side, last Thursday’s meeting of the EU’s heads of government, the EU Council, went ahead with the union’s normal business and agreed that discussions need to continue on who will fill the role of commission president and the other top jobs.
Namely the presidency of the council, the headship of the European Central Bank and the role of the EU’s chief diplomat, who works with the council and the commission.
They are elected by the council using qualified majority voting, which in the case of the commission presidency means 72% support in the council, or 21 votes out of 28. It is understood that no candidate has yet come close to the winning figure, understandable given that the European Parliament elections were only a month ago and there has not been time for the usual horse trading.
With a population slightly more than that of Scotland, Denmark has two candidates for the presidency. Rasmussen had previously supported the candidacy of Margrethe Vestager, the European competition commissioner, but he has now said he could take the job.
“If they suddenly think they need a pragmatic, middle-aged, cold-blooded, liberal Scandinavian, then they can just call,” said Rasmussen.
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