Spain as gas hub + Sanctions hit medtech and pharma + Millions of refugees expected

By acting as a neutral mediator in Europe, Israel wants to end the Russian war against Ukraine. As Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett himself admits, it is unlikely that these efforts will be crowned with success. Nevertheless, he completed a veritable marathon of travel and telephone calls over the weekend to not let the opportunity, however small it may be, pass by.

The situation in Ukraine is getting worse with each passing day. In the past ten days, more than 1.5 million people have fled, according to the United Nations (UN). The exodus is the fastest swelling refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, said UN Refugee Commissioner Filippo Grandi. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expects several million refugees from Ukraine.

Spain can help Europe reduce its dependence on Russian gas. The country has a modern LNG receiving infrastructure with six regasification plants. One of the strengths of the Spanish natural gas system is the diversification of its supply sources, explains Isabel Cuesta Camacho. However, new pipelines are needed for transport to neighboring European countries.

Companies and industry associations from the healthcare sector are still analyzing the consequences of the West’s sanctions against Russia. While the export of goods and technologies for medical or pharmaceutical purposes is exempt from the EU sanctions, there are numerous risks that companies in both industries should prepare for. The consequences of the conflict could also be far-reaching for clinical trials.

In a guest article, former Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio – together with academics Silvia Merler, Francesco Nicoli, and Simone Tagliapietra – addresses the question of how Europe can best manage the sanctions against Russia. For them, it is clear that the European Union can no longer remain a passive spectator in world politics.

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Eugenie Ankowitsch