Baroness Catherine Ashton Talks Immigration, Ukraine, European Defense Spending
Dec 20, 2023
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Baroness Catherine Ashton, University of Warwick Chancellor, discusses Europe's challenges in diplomacy, immigration and defense spending. Topics include asylum procedures, conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, trade tensions, climate change's impact on migration, funding challenges faced by Ukraine, pressure to increase defense budget, NATO-EU synergy, and expectations for UK-EU relations under a Labour government.
Immigration challenges in Europe have become a political issue, with right-wing movements using it as a focal point.
Synergy between the European Union and NATO is growing, with an expectation of increased defense spending and collaboration within EU member states.
Deep dives
Immigration challenges and political response in the European Union
The podcast discusses the immigration challenges faced by the European Union and how it has become a political issue. The increasing number of people on the move, coupled with concerns about climate change, has led to a rise in right-wing movements that use immigration as a focal point. The main challenge for the EU lies in the division between southern states, responsible for receiving immigrants, and northern states, which need to provide support and funding. The podcast also mentions the controversy surrounding plans to deal with immigration challenges in Italy and the involvement of various countries, including Hungary, in obstructing funds needed by Ukraine.
Prospects for increased defense budget and UK-EU relationship under a Labour government
The podcast highlights the growing synergy between the European Union and NATO in terms of defense. There is an expectation of increased defense spending and collaboration within EU member states. As for the UK's relationship with the EU under a Labour government, it is predicted that there would be a desire on both sides to have stronger relations and find ways to collaborate effectively, particularly in the areas of foreign and security policies. The podcast also briefly mentions Kit Starmer as a potential leader for the Labour Party in the UK.
University of Warwick Chancellor Baroness Catherine Ashton discusses why she thinks it's hard to say whether Europe is making a holistic sweep to the right and gives her thoughts on immigration, Ukraine and European defense spending. She speaks with Bloomberg's Caroline Hepker and Tom Mackenzie.