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Even in the game Monopoly there are precise rules to be respected in order to acquire possession of the boxes, so I really don’t understand how it is possible, nowadays, that a nation decrees the extension of borders and that’s it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but in March 2018 Algeria did exactly this: with a decree it established that its EEZ zone extends up to 12 miles from the coast of Sardinia.
The EEZ literally is an exclusive economic zone, established in 1982 by the United Nations Convention. It represents an area adjacent to territorial waters, over which it is possible to exercise sovereign rights for the management of natural resources, and over which the titular state has jurisdiction in scientific research, protection and conservation of the marine environment, and installation of structures.
The EEZ becomes effective following its formal proclamation by the coastal state.
This phrase sounds particularly out of tune to me, but that’s what Algeria actually did.
Without any agreement or assent? It would seem, even if I hope so much that you deny me saying that I dropped a clanger … who knows if it was in the territorial waters … because otherwise it is absurd.
The questions at this point would be many and enlarge like the borders of Algeria and beyond, but in order not to open a flood of speeches I would remain on one point, which then is sadly recurrent on many fronts: where were we? Maybe lost in a glass of water … salty water.
Hi I'm Claudia and this is KCDC.
I do not know anything about the EEZ you wrote about, Claudia, but I know one thing for sure: Algeria has suffered from a long history of colonial exploitation by France. It all ended in the bloody Algerian War, afterwards General/President Charles de Gaulle decreed that Algeria should be free and independent.
When I am in the South of France and browse through French libraries, I find lots of books about Algeria. It is a wound that still hurts. I have bought many books, written by French Algerian writers, I have quite a collection now.
Algeria is a close ally of Russia. Algerian students study in Russia. Air Algeria is still flying to Russia, in spite of western sanctions. And vice versa: Aeroflot flies to Algier.
I have never visited this North African country yet – but I admire their culture, traditions and strong spirit of independence.
Thank you very much for this contribution which certainly adds important details. Unfortunately I don’t know very well Algeria and its history.
Surely all of Africa in general has been exploited by many European countries and beyond.
That is true, Claudia.
The Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, just came back from an extensive African tour. He said that all the politicians he met in various African states complained about the former exploitation by their European “masters”, South Africa, Eritrea, Sudan, Mali, and others …
The French just got kicked out of Mali, finally. Mali was one of the last African countries under French rule.
I suppose this past colonial history and abuse makes African countries so willing to be friends with China and Russia. Lavrov was welcomed with open arms everywhere.
I can well understand that African states are bitter about everything that happened during the colonial period.
As far as China is concerned, however, I very much hope that a new era of exploitation will not occur: given that I believe the real reason is the raw materials, in particular for batteries for example, which China wants to produce. Correct me if I’m wrong.
The African countries are bitter about colonial exploitation by Europe, and rightly so.
China and Russia are doing more and more business in Africa. They do not come as colonial exploiters, they come as business partners. So whatever the Africans sell them, it is their decision to do so. They are not robbed. It is a normal market exchange.
I really wish that African countries could build their path and receive benefit from their resources.
I will join you in this wish, Claudia.
.
The story of Algerian exploitation is not over yet, Claudia, it resonates in the ears of many countries that have faced or are still facing exploitation and/or harassment by western “wannabe powers”.
Moscow, February 27/TASS:
“The strategy of strangling sovereign states that the West is now resorting to is essentially a revival of the old methods of colonialism, which collapsed in the middle of the 20th century, largely thanks to the effors of the Soviet Union. The Algerian people were one of the first to rid themselves of the colonial yoke and set a successful example of the struggle for their freedom. The Algerians know better than anybody else, whatever disguise colonialism may use, it always brings evil,” the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Nikolay Patrushev said on a recent visit to Algeria …
https://tass.com/politics/1582237
The strategies of recent years are strangling everyone: individuals, families, businesses.
I find that we are all suffering an impoverishment, economic but not only, a moral impoverishment, a cultural impoverishment, an impoverishment of values, unfortunately.
I agree with you a hundred percent, Claudia.
Because you mentioned the role of China in Africa, let me quote another TASS article here, Claudia.
We in Russia have our own special relationship to China, which is a member of the BRICS association: BRAZIL – RUSSIA – INDIA – CHINA – SOUTH AFRICA. These countries help and respect each other.
MOSCOW, 27 February 2023/TASS:
“China is a huge and powerful country, whose interests cannot be ignored by any international player”, (the Kremlin’s speaker Dmitry) Peskov emphazised …
https://tass.com/politics/1582359
I see and read in the press that African countries seem to agree with the official Russian opinion about China as an important economic, political and military force to be reckoned with. Since China is investing money in Africa, the Chinese are very welcome there, Claudia. Whether Europeans like it or not, this is a fact.
No, in fact I believe that no one intends to ignore China’s interests or even believe that China is not a powerful country, personally I have never thought so, on the contrary: I find that the effects of China’s interests are real and tangible in the life of every days.
Unfortunately, some so-called “western wannabe powers” are actively and constantly harassing China and Russia. I believe that this is out of envy and also part of the struggle for worldwide dominance.
If you look at the landmass of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation, taken together – who else can compete with that?
Take a look at the Russian-Chinese combined economic and military power, coupled with the huge reservoirs of oil, gas and other natural resources in the Russian Federation – who could possible dream of competing with that? Only dreamdancers could.
This certainly generates a lot of anger, desperation, dissatisfaction, envy, fury and spite in the west.
Tant pis! So what!
I would like the world to be based on brotherhood and not on division, on equality and not on power, on humanity and not on the economy, but I know that this thought of mine is only a great utopia.
Maybe it can be partly achieved, Claudia, taking one little step after the other.
Right!
You are right: we have to think in small steps. Together.
A hug.
This is what I learned in a seminar, in my youth: “Learning in small steps is the most effective way of learning.” This has proved true for me.
I also think this proverb is true.
The small steps allow at the same time to deepen and to fix well what has been learned.