By Ignacio Tirado (UAM)
On the merits, the Greek Government is –partially- right: the solution does not lie with the type of measures proposed by the creditors. Limiting expenditure and increasing revenues by way of higher taxes has proven not to work. Greece needs a massive investment plan that boosts the private sector and helps economy thrive. Without it, the rest is futile. A new line of credit would only serve to perpetuate the negative loop the economy is already in, and new negotiations and credit lines would be needed in the future. Further, it is rather evident that the size of Greek debt is unsustainable. A restructuring of the debt needs to happen. This would be much more painful now, since the creditors are institutions of the official sector, which entails, all institutional shells removed, the European citizens. Writing down the Greek debt implies an automatic loss by the citizens of Germany and the Netherlands, but also –and proportionally more- by the citizens of Spain, Italy, Portugal and Ireland. So perhaps, for the sake of political balance, write downs ought to be avoided and substituted by rolling maturities longer in time, making the debt repayable in full but in the further future.
Having said this, one can only disagree with the behaviour of the Greek Government. Accusing your creditors of criminal behaviour and of attempting to humiliate the Greek people is not only unfair, but a terrible negotiation tactic; so bad that it can only be explained either by stupidity (ie, not understanding its consequences), by bigotry (ie, extreme nationalism), or by selfishness (ie, Tsipras caring more about his own voting results than for the interest of his country). What lies ahead of Greece now is terrible. The big and most urgent question is whether the ECB will renew the urgent credit lines to Greek banks on Monday. If it does not (and there are many reasons that point this way), capital controls will need to be implemented. The Greek government will default on the IMF on Tuesday. CDS will be triggered. Turmoil sparked. Social unrest may be incontrollable. And from there on, an exit from the euro would seem all but inevitable.
If the ECB renews its support to the banking sector, more time will be provided for negotiations. Perhaps Syriza ought to cross some of the red lines it should have never drawn: end with the early retirements of the public sector; or cut on military expenses. Because neither of those lines represent inalienable social justice. But Syriza should in exchange demand investment and a growth plan. And a credit line for the most vulnerable ought to be out of the negotiation. That is the real red line. And, of course, no more insults in public to those whose support you are asking for. They also represent democratically elected Governments; they, too, have constituents to defend and to account to; and now –unlike 5 years ago- it is those European constituents (rectius, citizens) that are going to help the Greek people revive. Not any Brussels/Frankfurt bureaucrat.
The referendum is a shams. It can only place the Greek Government in a worse position when they return to the negotiation. Because they will. The alternative is decades of misery.
Libro online sobre “La aplicación de la Mediación en la Resolución de los Conflictos en el Mediterráneo”
junio 26, 2015
Se ha publicado en versión digital y de acceso gratuito el libro “La aplicación de la Mediación en la Resolución de los Conflictos en el Mediterráneo”, dirigido por Rafael Grasa, Antonio Blanc y Pilar Diago y coordinado por Carmen Martínez Capdevila. El libro se puede descargar aquí.
Los tribunales nacionales contra el cambio climático
junio 25, 2015
Se habla mucho de esta sentencia de ayer de la Corte de Distrito de La Haya en Holanda. Resulta que tras una demanda de una ONG llamada Fundación Urgenda, la Corte ordena al Gobierno a reducir como mínimo un 25% de las emisiones de efecto invernadero en Holanda para el año 2020 con referencia al año 1990. La Corte dice que no está haciendo política. Constata que los países desarrollados deben reducir entre el 25 y el 40% sus emisiones para el año 2020 según la ciencia climática y la política internacional climática. Al ritmo actual, Holanda reduciría un máximo de 17% en 2020, por tanto, la Corte sitúa la obligación de reducción de gases de efecto invernadero al mínimo del porcentaje indicado, que la Corte reconoce como una norma. Esta decisión, según la Corte de Distrito, tiene en cuenta los costes que implica y el respeto del espacio político del Gobierno. Aquí está la sentencia en inglés. Le voy a pedir a Rosa Fernández Egea que comente la sentencia.
REEI 29 (2005)
junio 24, 2015
Hoy se ha publicado el número 29 de la REEI. Como de costumbre, tiene notas, reseñas, las útiles crónicas y un abanico muy interesante de artículos sobre la adhesión de la UE al CEDH, la discriminación racial, el aborto, et cetera. Buena lectura.
Cinco libros de regalo para los primeros cinco/2
junio 23, 2015
Gracias por los mensajes sobre Deuda pública y derecho internacional. Ha salido en un momento clave de las negociaciones sobre la deuda griega y su posible reestructuración. Para celebrar la publicación del libro en castellano y agradecer a los lectores del blog, voy a regalar cinco ejemplares. Este es el método: a los primeros cinco que respondan en un comentario a este post, les mandaré un ejemplar por correo normal a cualquier parte del mundo. Basta con que digan su nombre y, en su caso, luego me manden la dirección postal a mi correo para enviar el libro.
Despite Our Differences: A New Blog by Daniel Sarmiento
junio 22, 2015
Apunten esto: «Despite our differences». Así se llama el nuevo blog de Derecho de la Unión Europea de Daniel Sarmiento. Si les interesa el derecho comunitario europeo o simplemente el derecho y las buenas ideas, síganlo aquí! Muy recomendable.
Deuda pública y derecho internacional
junio 22, 2015
Hoy he recibido la traducción de nuestro Sovereign Financing and International Law, que en castellano se llama Deuda pública y derecho internacional, publicado por la editorial Tirant lo Blanch. El libro ha sido traducido por Tiziana Mussari, a quien agradecemos mucho su trabajo, así como las excelentes contribuciones de todos los autores del libro. Con Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky y Yuefen Li hemos invertido muchísimas horas en el libro original y luego otras tantas en esta versión española, por eso da mucha alegría ver esta versión publicada. Copio el texto de la contraportada:
La regulación de la deuda soberana es uno de los grandes temas de discusión pública desde el comienzo de la última crisis financiera mundial en 2008. La propia Asamblea General de la ONU se encuentra debatiendo sobre un nuevo marco global para regular las reestructuraciones de deuda soberana en su actual período de sesiones de 2014-2015. Este libro estudia el papel del derecho internacional en relación con la deuda pública tanto desde un punto de vista jurídico como económico. Su punto de partida son los Principios de la UNCTAD sobre Promoción del Otorgamiento y Toma Responsables de Préstamos Soberanos, que ponen énfasis en la necesidad de que acreedores y deudores compartan la responsabilidad de prevenir situaciones de deudas insostenibles. Al examinar la bases jurídica y económica de los Principios, los autores del libro, reconocidos expertos internacionales, desarrollan un análisis detallado y sofisticado de los complejos y controvertidos problemas que se plantean, incluyendo el manejo de la deuda, las cláusulas de acción colectiva, la corrupción, los pasivos contingentes, el papel de la Unión Europea y las Naciones Unidas. En el libro se defiende la idea de que los principios se corresponden con principios generales del derecho internacional y que proveen un fundamento poderoso sobre el que construir principios de deuda pública responsables y sustentable. El libro ayuda a comprender el complejo mundo jurídico y económico de la deuda soberana y aporta elementos para buscar respuestas más justas a los problemas que crean las crisis financieras en el mundo actual.
Conference Project Assistant (Internship) 2 posts
junio 18, 2015
Job Title: Conference Project Assistant (Internship) 2 posts
Location: Madrid
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary: 01‐09‐15 to 30‐11‐15
Remuneration: 1.000 € per month
Deadline: 06‐07‐15
Background Information
Conference Project Assistants (Internship) required to support the 2015 International Organizations’ Career Development Roundtable hosted by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The 12th International Organisations’ Career Development Roundtable will take place this year in Madrid, Spain. This unique event brings together HR professionals from across the world to discuss, share and learn about new developments in the sector of Talent Management and Career Development in multi‐lateral Organizations. It will open with a welcoming reception on
November 17th 2015, followed by the actual event on November 18th and 19th 2015. Subsequently, a Career’s Fair, while take place on November 20th 2015. Speakers and delegates will shortly be signing up to participate and we are looking for Conference Project Assistants (Internship) to help delivering the event.
Some of the functions of this position will include:
- Supporting the delivery of the conference and parallel events such as the Career Fair and dinner/evening receptions;
- Keynote speaker and delegate assistance, including enquires via email correspondence
- Acting as focal point for registration of participants;
- Drafting of conference materials, including conference timetables, briefing packs and
- Supporting the development of content for event website;
- Liaising with suppliers for the event;
- Participation in preparatory and planning meetings;
- Liaising with media outlets to promote the event;
- Reacting creatively to challenges and effective troubleshooting.
The Conference Project Assistants will be supervised remotely by UNFPA from New York. Therefore, the Assistants are required to be available at least once a week for telephone conferences. Further, the Assistants will be required to be present during the events from November 17th to November 20th 2015.
Interested candidates should have a strong interest in International Relations, Events Management or Human Resources related fields. No specific academic background is required. Recent graduates or current participants in a Master’s programme receive priority.
Interested candidates should have experience in the organization of events and working in a multicultural team. They should also be well‐organized, enthusiastic, pro‐active, and Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
Please send your applications to Mr. Jan Weidmann at Weidmann@unfpa.org.
Revista Latinoamericana de Derecho Internacional
junio 10, 2015
Por Francisco José Quintana
Tengo el orgullo y la alegría de anunciar la salida del segundo número de la Revista Latinoamericana de Derecho Internacional. La Revista se propone promover la discusión de temas relevantes de Derecho Internacional Público que no formen actualmente parte del debate en la región y acercar nuevas perspectivas sobre aquellas discusiones que sí están teniendo lugar.
El proyecto surgió por iniciativa de estudiantes y jóvenes graduados de las universidades Torcuato Di Tella y San Andrés en Buenos Aires. Hoy en día, la Revista tiene sede en la Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. La edición de la Revista está a cargo de sus fundadores y de los alumnos de los últimos años de la carrera de Abogacía de la Universidad. Nuestro primer número, lanzado en noviembre del año pasado, publicó trabajos de autores como Martti Koskenniemi y Máximo Langer. Además, con el espíritu de promover el debate incluso fuera de ámbitos académicos, nuestros números incluyen entrevistas, cuya lectura resulta más rápida y sencilla que la de los artículos académicos. En este primer número, entrevistamos al ex Fiscal de la Corte Penal Internacional Luis Moreno Ocampo.
El flamante segundo número incluye trabajos de David Luban, Antony Duff, Susan Marks, Roberto Gargarella, Jorge Viñuales, Verónica Lavista e investigadores del Instituto O’Neill de la Universidad de Georgetown. Además, presenta entrevistas al entonces Juez de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Argentina Eugenio Raúl Zaffaroni y a la Profesora de Política de Derechos Humanos de la Escuela de Gobierno de la Universidad de Harvard Kathryn Sikkink.
La Revista es aún nueva y está en un proceso de desarrollo permanente. Recibimos manuscritos para considerar su publicación tanto en inglés como en español, pero también sugerencias de profesores, abogados, funcionarios y estudiantes de todo el mundo sobre temas y discusiones que les gustaría ver en futuros números.
Publicamos dos números anuales que pueden encontrarse en nuestro sitio web: http://www.revistaladi.com.ar.
Call for Papers: The Future of Transatlantic Economic Governance in the Age of the BRICS
junio 10, 2015
CALL FOR PAPERS REMINDER: DEADLINE 30 JUNE 2015
The International Economic Law Interest Groups American and European Societies of International Law of the together with the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law are pleased to announce a joint 2015 Works-in-Progress Workshop on: The Future of Transatlantic Economic Governance in the Age of the BRICS, 11-12 December 2015, to be held at the Max Planck Institute Heidelberg, Germany.
Workshop theme: As the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations have revealed, in some ways the developed economies of North America and Europe have never been more interested in creating a cooperative system of economic governance. In other ways, however, the relationship between these countries has never faced more challenges, as new economies disinclined to accept the trade rules and regulatory cooperation efforts of the developed world have ascended to new economic rights and have asserted new legal authority. Moreover, some of the traditional strengths of incumbency, such as a powerful currency and traditionally strong representation in international organizations, have come to look more like liabilities. This emerging economic order has presented challenges for Transatlantic cooperation efforts in trade law, investment law, financial regulation, monetary policy, and law and development – to say nothing of the longstanding conundrums raised by differences in competition law, complexities inherent in the supervision of multinational corporations and financial institutions, and problems posed by the need for sustained regulatory cooperation.
The International Economic Law Interest Groups of the American Society of International Law and the European Society of International Law, in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, will hold a joint workshop in which progress in new research on these issues may be made. The working language of the workshop will be English.
Call for previously unpublished papers: We encourage IEL scholars, practitioners, and advanced doctoral students to submit proposals for paper presentations on any topic related to the workshop’s theme, broadly conceived. Proposals should be no more than one single-spaced page in length and should include the paper’s working title and an abstract describing its main thesis, methods, and contribution. All papers should be works-in-progress, that is unpublished at the time of the workshop.
Authors should also submit a separate, one-page bio or short curriculum vitae (CV) (max two pages) along with the abstract.
Proposals should be emailed to: ASIL.ESIL.IntEcLIG.Workshop@gmail.com and must be received no later than June 30, 2015.
Selection process: Submissions will be reviewed by a joint selection committee convened by the organizers. Selection decisions will take into account the proposals’ originality, diversity, and relevance to the workshop’s theme and will aim to achieve a well-rounded representation of European, North American, and non-transatlantic perspectives. We plan to inform the selected participants by August 15, 2015, with papers due for circulation to all workshop participants no later than November 15, 2015.
Workshop Format: In order to ensure a high level of discussion and useful feedback for all authors, the workshop will take place over 1.5 days in a roundtable format. Presenters will be thematically grouped into four to five panels of three papers each, with a senior commentator moderating the discussion for each panel. Due to space limitations, early submission of proposals is highly encouraged.
Publication Possibility: Depending upon the topics of the final submissions, a number of workshop participants may be invited to submit their papers for publication within a special issue of the Journal of World Investment and Trade. Any such invitations will be extended in accordance with that Journal’s usual peer review and editorial policy.
Workshop Costs: We are in the process of applying for funding to help offset the costs of the workshop. Subject to final availability of funds, we hope to be able to cover reasonable economy class travel and accommodation costs to assist most participants with the journey to Heidelberg, which is particularly lovely during the holiday season. Final confirmation of funding availability will be communicated along with selection decisions.
Any further questions may be directed to the organizers at: ASIL.ESIL.IntEcLIG.Workshop@gmail.com.
We look forward to receiving your proposals!
On behalf of the ASIL IEcLIG:
Julie Maupin (Max Planck Institute, HD)
Sonia Rolland (Northeastern University)
Jarrod Wong (Pacific McGeorge)
David Zaring (Wharton)
On behalf of the ESIL IEcLIG:
Elisa Baroncini (University of Bologna)
Marion Pannizon (World Trade Institute)
Peter-Tobias Stoll (Georg August Universität, Göttingen)
On behalf of the Max Planck Institute:
Anne Peters (Co-Director)
aquiescencia 