In late July 2019, multiple experts of the European Values Think-Tank became targets of what the ProtonMail CEO described as “the most sophisticated [he has] ever encountered”. According to investigative group Bellingcat, the phishing campaign targeted at least 30 Russia-focused individuals: Číst dále →

Josep Borrell has a track record of accommodating the Kremlin’s positions over those of the European Union, and therefore should not lead EU foreign policy

In light of the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Georgia and Ukraine, together with its interference in European democracies via malign disinformation operations, cyber-attacks, support for extremist groups, and even a military-grade chemical attack on EU soil, we have been disappointed by the weak performance of outgoing EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, who has consistently appeased the Kremlin during her time in office and failed to adequately confront its hostile behaviour towards Europe.

On Tuesday, July 2nd, the European Council nominated Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell as the next EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy.

However, during his 12-month tenure as Spanish Foreign Minister, Mr. Borrell’s posture towards Russia has raised serious concerns at least on three separate occasions:

• In November 2018, Mr. Borrell agreed with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Spain and Russia would set up a joint cyber-security working group to address disinformation, ignoring the fact that Russia is the number one source of hostile foreign disinformation in Europe. Although the EU has an official counter-disinformation strategy and a dedicated team of experts devoted to exposing Russia’s disinformation efforts, Mr. Borrell instead chose to team up with the Kremlin, contradicting the positions of both the European Council and the European Parliament.

• In November 2018, despite the opposition of NATO allies and the Spanish opposition, Mr. Borrell aided the Russian military when he was among the Spanish ministers who allowed Russian ships to refuel in Spanish ports after they bombed Syria.
• In June 2019, Mr. Borrell praised Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia’s position on Catalonia, despite the EU’s expert institution on disinformation publicly warning about Russian interference in the Catalan referendum, and despite agreement by EU foreign ministers to step up the European Union’s efforts to counter Russian disinformation following this interference.

On these three occasions, Mr. Borrell has effectively sided with the Russian Federation on major geopolitical and security issues, in direct contradiction with the positions of the EU or Spain’s allies.

We believe that someone who has repeatedly failed to confront the Russian security threat to the EU and who has a track record of siding with Russia instead of EU allies should not be in charge of the EU’s foreign and security policy. If Josep Borrell becomes the new High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Russia will be encouraged, not deterred, in its hostile activities and attempts to destabilise Europe. Accordingly, we urge European leaders and the European Parliament to reconsider Mr. Borrell’s nomination.

Sign this Public Appeal:

Our Security Strategies Program presents a new report, detailing how EU, Canadian and US intelligence agencies assess Russian and Chinese influence activities. The paper first sorts the countries into three groups: The Hesitants, The Acknowledgers and The Most Alarmed, continuing onto a cross-group analysis and finally looking at the case of China in more detail. Available in PDF. Číst dále →

On June 18 afternoon (13:00 – 17:00) European Values Think-Tank will organize workshops for Georgian journalists and analysts from non-governmental organizations.

The workshops will present case studies from Czech Republic and Lithuania on Russian influence operations and lessons learned from NATO countries.

The event will be held under Chatham House Rule, working language is English, no interpreting.

Venue of this event is Embassy of the Czech Republic in Tbilisi.

Georgian journalists and NGO analysts are welcome to register to receive further information via email:

European Values Think-Tank presents a new report from its Security Strategies Program, authored by Martin Svárovský. Číst dále →

In our international team, we welcome foreign students and experts to exchange experience and work on joint projects. In 2018, we had our colleagues in/from 8 foreign countries on/from 4 continents.

Below, see some examples of framework cooperation which we are proud to have:

European Values Think-Tank presents a new report by the Security Strategies Program Head, Martin Svárovský. The text is reflecting the need for deterrent and reassuring measures in the form of the European Reassurance Initiative / European Deterrence Initiative along with the Enhanced Forward Presence and their further reinforcement, especially in the Baltics. PDF available here.

Time: Thursday, May 2rd, 15:00 – 16:30

Venue: Office of the European Values Think-Tank, Na Baště sv. Jiří 11, Prague 6, Subway station Hradčanská

Profile: Jessikka Aro is an investigative journalist with the Finnish Public Broadcasting Company’s cross-media product Yle Kioski. Aro specialises in research into Russia, extremism and information war. She won the Bonnier Journalism Prize in 2016 for her research about pro-Russia trolls in Finland. At the moment she is investigating and writing a book on how Russia-connected activists troll, hack and stalk civilians internationally.

Registration:

On May 6 afternoon (13:00 – 17:00) European Values Think-Tank will organize workshops for Georgian journalists and analysts from non-governmental organizations.

The workshops will focus on understanding objectives and influence toolkits of Russia and China and lessons learnt from countering this threat in Central Europe.

The event will be held under Chatham House Rule, working language is English, no interpreting.

Venue of this event will be in Tbilisi and confirmed participants will be notified before the event.

Georgian journalists and NGO analysts are welcome to register to receive further information via email:

The Lithuanian Embassy in Berlin and European Values Think-Tank would like to invite you to an evening debate on Confronting hostile foreign influence against European democracies.

Time: April 4, 18:00

Venue: Lithuanian Embassy in Berlin, Charitéstraße 9, 10117 Berlin

Speakers:

• Andrex Foxall, Director of Russia Program, Henry Jackson Society, based in London
• Jakub Janda, Director, European Values Think-Tank, based in Prague
• Mareike Ohlberg, Fellow, MERICS, based in Berlin
• Martin Hála, Director, Sinopsis, based in Prague

Please, register here: