Category: Business

Piyush Goyal visits UK to boost economic ties, fast-track India–UK FTA implementation

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is on a two-day official visit to the United Kingdom from June 18 to 19, aimed at strengthening India–UK economic relations and expediting the implementation of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The visit follows the announcement of the successful conclusion of the India–UK FTA by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on May 6.

“Goyal’s visit aims to accelerate bilateral engagements, harness emerging opportunities, and lay a robust foundation for a forward-looking, resilient, and mutually beneficial economic relationship,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

During the visit, Goyal will hold key meetings with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds to review ongoing FTA negotiations and outline a time-bound roadmap for its conclusion. He will also meet UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to discuss financial cooperation and investment promotion.

Additionally, the Minister will engage with UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to explore partnerships in creative and innovation-driven sectors.

Goyal is scheduled to participate in several high-level sessions at the India Global Forum (IGF), including a roundtable titled ‘From Agreement to Action: UK–India FTA’, which will bring together global business leaders and investors to discuss the strategic direction of bilateral trade ties.

As part of his business outreach, Goyal will interact with top CEOs and industry leaders from key sectors such as fintech, logistics, shipping, and advanced manufacturing to promote cross-border investment and collaboration.

The visit reinforces India’s strategic focus on transforming its trade relationship with the UK into a robust, inclusive, and sustainable economic partnership.

June 18, 2025
Piyush Goyal visits UK to boost economic ties, fast-track India–UK FTA implementation

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal is on a two-day official visit to the United Kingdom from June 18 to 19, aimed at strengthening India–UK economic relations and expediting the implementation of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The visit follows the announcement of the successful conclusion of the India–UK FTA by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on May 6.

“Goyal’s visit aims to accelerate bilateral engagements, harness emerging opportunities, and lay a robust foundation for a forward-looking, resilient, and mutually beneficial economic relationship,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.

During the visit, Goyal will hold key meetings with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds to review ongoing FTA negotiations and outline a time-bound roadmap for its conclusion. He will also meet UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to discuss financial cooperation and investment promotion.

Additionally, the Minister will engage with UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to explore partnerships in creative and innovation-driven sectors.

Goyal is scheduled to participate in several high-level sessions at the India Global Forum (IGF), including a roundtable titled ‘From Agreement to Action: UK–India FTA’, which will bring together global business leaders and investors to discuss the strategic direction of bilateral trade ties.

As part of his business outreach, Goyal will interact with top CEOs and industry leaders from key sectors such as fintech, logistics, shipping, and advanced manufacturing to promote cross-border investment and collaboration.

The visit reinforces India’s strategic focus on transforming its trade relationship with the UK into a robust, inclusive, and sustainable economic partnership.

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lesley Cowley OBE appointed as Chair of Building Digital UK
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Lesley Cowley OBE appointed as Chair of Building Digital UK

Lesley Cowley OBE has been appointed by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to chair Building Digital UK (BDUK).
Lesley Cowley OBE has been appointed by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to chair Building Digital UK (BDUK) – the government agency responsible for rolling out fast and reliable broadband and mobile coverage to hard-to-reach places across the UK.

The British businesswoman is widely regarded as an accomplished leader in the digital and technology sectors, offering decades of experience leading a variety of public services and businesses.

The role will see Lesley advise and support BDUK’s executive team on the delivery of BDUK’s two main programmes: Project Gigabit, the government’s rollout of lightning-fast broadband to areas that would otherwise be stuck with slower speeds, and the Shared Rural Network, a joint programme with mobile network operators to boost 4G mobile coverage in rural communities all over the country.

Chair of BDUK Lesley Cowley OBE said:

It is a privilege to join Building Digital UK at such a pivotal moment in its journey. The challenge of ensuring every corner of the UK benefits from fast, reliable digital infrastructure is one I am deeply passionate about.

BDUK is a critical enabler of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, helping to grow the economy while ensuring communities are not left behind in the digital age. Working alongside the talented team at BDUK, we will continue to deliver on our mission of creating a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered nation.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Lesley’s commitment to making a positive difference to public facing services, together with her track record in leading digital transformation and delivering innovative solutions, make her an outstanding choice for Chair of Building Digital UK.

She will be instrumental in helping us deliver on our growth mission, by continuing to drive forward our ambitious plans for better connectivity across the every part of UK, making communities and businesses better off.

Lesley will take up the post on 1 July 2025, taking over from Hazel Hobbs who has served as interim Chair since August 2024.

Her previous executive career culminated in her role as Chief Executive Officer of Nominet, the .uk domain name registry, where for over a decade she led significant growth and evolution from a technical organisation into a key player in the global internet space. She was appointed OBE in recognition of her services to the internet and digital economy.

In her subsequent career, Lesley was the first Chair of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Chair of Companies House and Lead Non-Executive Director and then first ever Chair of The National Archives. Her current roles include Chair of ACL Ltd and a Non-Executive Director of Public Digital Ltd., both private companies.

She was the Institute of Directors UK NED of the Year Winner, 2019 and has a strong track record of driving technology transformation and customer-first approaches.

ENDS

Notes to editors

Chair appointment

The appointment is for a term of three years.

Building Digital UK

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). It is responsible for the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and the expansion of 4G mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas of the UK. BDUK works with suppliers and communities to ensure that people can access fast and reliable digital connectivity that can transform their lives and drive economic growth.

Project Gigabit

Project Gigabit is a government-funded programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband. It targets homes and businesses that are not included in broadband suppliers’ commercial plans, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on upgrades to next-generation speeds.

The connections delivered by Project Gigabit will benefit rural and remote communities, as well as tackling pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas. Project Gigabit is crucial to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and kickstart economic growth across the country.

Shared Rural Network

Jointly funded by the government and the UK’s main mobile network operators, the Shared Rural Network is delivering new 4G coverage to places where there is either limited or no 4G coverage at all.

The public and private investment in a shared network of phone masts is driving increases in coverage across all four nations, with the biggest coverage improvements in rural parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

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Published 18 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Bona vacantia properties

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ18: Bona vacantia properties
Question:

There are views that along with the demographic changes in Hong Kong, it is expected that the number of bona vacantia properties will continue to increase, which could pose potential challenges to the allocation and management of social resources. It has been reported that in recent years, some gangs have exploited bona vacantia properties to obtain benefits illegally, such as by committing unlawful alienation of the properties, using them for loans or even applying for adverse possession of them, indicating that there are gaps in the regulation of bona vacantia properties. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the specific number of bona vacantia properties currently under the management of the Lands Department (i.e. those properties originally held by a company that has been dissolved under the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) or the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622)); the details of the Government’s disposal of such properties in the past five years (including the progress of disposal);

(2) whether it has compiled statistics on the number of bona vacantia properties in Hong Kong which were once held in personal names; whether the Government has currently put in place a relevant mechanism to dispose of such properties; if not, whether it will consider introducing dedicated measures or mechanisms to prevent such bona vacantia properties from being used for unlawful acts; if so, of the details, and whether the Government will impose administrative charges in the process of disposing of such bona vacantia properties and set clear charging standards in this regard; and

(3) as there are views that the management of bona vacantia properties (including those bona vacantia properties which were once held by private individuals or companies) involves the powers and responsibilities of a number of government departments, whether the Government has put in place a cross-departmental co-ordination mechanism to enhance the efficiency of such work; if not, whether it has plans to further strengthen the cross-departmental collaboration on such work?

Reply:

President,

Bona vacantia properties (BVPs) generally refer to some real properties originally owned by individuals or companies, but the individual owners of properties subsequently dies and no one claims the estate, or the companies were liquidated and dissolved. In accordance with the prevailing laws, real properties owned by individuals or companies are handled by different ordinances to ensure that the rights and interests of the legal owners or successors of the properties will not be infringed and that the properties are properly handled when they become BVPs.

Regarding the properties owned by individuals, the Probate and Administration Ordinance (Cap. 10) provides the jurisdiction of the court to handle matters relating to probate and administration of deceased’s estates, including the handling of unclaimed estates of a deceased person. If unclaimed estates involve property assets, the property will be disposed of in an appropriate manner, including sale.

For properties owned by companies, in the course of winding up and dissolution, liquidators will sell properties owned by the companies to pay off outstanding liabilities. If a company, pursuant to the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) or the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32), completes the procedures for winding up and is about to dissolve, every property and right (such as including some properties that are yet to be sold in the market) vested in or held on trust for the company immediately before the dissolution is vested in the Government as bona vacantia. If such bona vacantia property is a land property, it will be managed by the Lands Department on behalf of the Government.

In the past five years (from June 2020 to May 2025), records from the Land Registry show that the number of sales and purchase agreements for building units in Hong Kong was close to 260 000, while the Lands Department received about 50 new cases of BVPs. It can be seen that BVPs only account a very small portion of the overall property market.

In response to the question raised by the Hon Doreen Kong, our reply in consultation with the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau is as follows:

(1) As of now, the Lands Department has taken over 411 BVPs previously owned by companies, of which about 30 per cent cases are residential units, industrial units, shops and parking spaces. The remaining 70 per cent are the parts jointly owned with other property owners but inseparable, most of which have no market value and cannot be sold, such as external walls, rooftops, platforms, other common parts. As BVPs, especially the abovementioned 30 per cent cases, often involve unclear ownership, encumbrances or the need to first handle problems such as occupation of units, the Lands Department will carefully clarify the relevant legal rights and seek legal advice after receiving referrals from the Companies Registry, other government departments and the Court, etc. After confirming that the property is a BVP, the Lands Department will notify the Land Registry to add a remark that the property has been vested in the Government as bona vacantia, and choose the most appropriate means to dispose of the property. Generally speaking, if the BVPs are suitable for sale in the market (the appropriate cases among the abovementioned 30 per cent cases), the Lands Department will sell the property by tender. In the past five years (from June 2020 to May 2025), the Lands Department received about 50 new cases of BVPs. The Lands Department also sold 16 BVPs through tendering process in the past five years. As for the properties that cannot be sold (i.e. the abovementioned 70 per cent cases), these will continue to be managed by the Lands Department on behalf.

(2) Section 16 of the Probate and Administration Ordinance (Cap. 10) stipulates the cases in which the Official Administrator, assisted by the Probate Registry, is entitled to administer the unclaimed estate of a deceased person as granted by the Court. If the unclaimed estate concerned involves property asset, the property will be disposed of as appropriate. For any unclaimed balance of deceased’s estate, including the money received from the sale of properties, the Official Administrator shall cause an advertisement to invite any claims to be made in accordance with section 23B of the Ordinance. If at the expiration of a period of five years from the date of first publication of such advertisement, the Official Administrator is of the opinion that no claim can reasonably be expected against the estate, the balance of the estate will be transferred to the general revenue of the Government.

Regarding the property fraud issue that the Hon Doreen Kong is concerned about, the current number of cases is still at a low level. Nevertheless, in response to some past fraud cases, the Land Registry will continue to maintain contact and collaboration with the Hong Kong Police Force to exchange information on suspected fraudulent transactions to prevent registrations for properties suspected to have been acquired through fraudulent means. The Property Alert service of the Land Registry will also send email notifications to registered users when the instruments for the sale or mortgage of properties are delivered to the Land Registry for registration.

Besides, the Legislative Council is scrutinising the Registration of Titles and Land (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025. Under the Land Titles Ordinance (Cap. 585), the title registration system will be implemented on newly granted land first and the Land Registry will be empowered to take measures to reduce the risk of property fraud. Adverse possession will also not be applicable to newly granted land.

(3) As mentioned above, it is not common for BVPs to arise. For BVPs previously owned by companies, the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) currently in force has clearly stipulated the circumstances under which the Government will take over BVPs, and the Lands Department, which is responsible for taking over BVPs, also has a well-established mechanism to properly handle these properties. Therefore, we believe that there is no need to set up an inter-departmental mechanism.
Issued at HKT 15:30

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CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ7: Measures to combat telephone fraud

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by the Hon Duncan Chiu and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (June 18):

Question:

In recent years, the HKSAR Government has adopted diversified measures to actively combat telephone fraud, including introducing the Real-name Registration Programme for Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards (RNR Programme) and the Hong Kong Police Force’s “Scameter+” and requiring local telecommunications service providers (TSPs) to play a voice alert message for calls made from newly activated pre-paid SIM (PPS) cards and block suspicious calls, as well as strengthening co-operation with Mainland and international law enforcement agencies. However, there are views pointing out that local telephone fraud cases have not shown a decreasing trend, causing inconvenience and disturbance to the public in their daily lives. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the number of telephone fraud cases received by the Police from January to May this year, as well as the amount of money involved in such cases, the number of victims and their age distribution;

(2) of the total number of PPS cards which have been rejected as the clients failed to provide information in compliance with the registration requirements since the introduction of the RNR Programme; the total number of the registration records of non-compliant PPS cards which have been cancelled by the TSPs, together with a breakdown and percentage by reason for non-compliance;

(3) whether it has estimated the number of registered PPS cards resold in the market under the RNR Programme; of the authorities’ countermeasures currently in place against the resale practice concerned, and how they follow up cases of members of the public purchasing and using PPS cards that have long been registered by other persons;

(4) as the 2024 Policy Address has mentioned that the Government would introduce a legislative amendment proposal into this Council to prohibit the resale of registered SIM cards with a view to further enhancing the RNR Programme, of the latest progress of such work and the legislative timetable;

(5) of the accumulated downloads of “Scameter+” since its launch by the Police in February 2023 and the respective numbers of call alerts issued to users and local and non-local suspicious telephone numbers which the TSPs have been required to block; of the details and outcome of the Police’s follow-up actions in respect of such suspicious and blocked telephone numbers; and

(6) whether it has comprehensively reviewed the effectiveness of the various measures introduced by the Government to combat telephone fraud; if so, of the results, and the measures in place to cope with the situation where the number of telephone fraud cases has not decreased, including whether it will adjust the existing overall strategy for combating telephone fraud, as well as introduce relevant enhancement measures and new measures?

Reply:

President,

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) has been devising and implementing a series of preventive measures from the perspective of telecommunications services to assist the Hong Kong Police Force (Police) in combating phone deception at the source. In response to the question raised by the Hon Duncan Chiu, having consulted the Security Bureau, OFCA and the Police, our consolidated reply is as follows:

The Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards (RNR Programme) has been fully implemented since February 2023, requiring that all SIM cards issued and used locally (including SIM service plans and pre-paid SIM cards (PPS cards)) must complete real-name registration before service activation. Under the RNR Programme, OFCA has requested telecommunications service providers (TSPs) to conduct regular sampling checks on registered SIM card information, to step up verification of suspicious cases, and to refer cases suspected of violating the law to the Police for handling. If the users subject to sample checks are unable to verify their registered information in accordance with the instructions of the respective TSPs, the relevant PPS cards will be deregistered and cannot be used thereafter. As at end-April this year, around 4.71 million PPS cards were rejected for registration as the clients failed to provide information in compliance with the registration requirements (including cases where registration was done using a copy of an identity document and the information provided was inconsistent with the identity document, etc). Besides, the registration records of about 3.4 million non-compliant PPS cards have been deregistered (including cases where users failed to verify their identities as required during the TSPs’ sampling checks and were suspected of using forged documents for registration, etc). According to the information provided by the TSPs, the majority of deregistration was due to users failing to submit required identity documents for verification as required. OFCA does not maintain information on specific reasons for deregistration by breakdown.

To enhance the effective implementation of the RNR Programme, OFCA has required the TSPs to adopt “iAM Smart” as the default registration method for Hong Kong identity card (HKID) holders. For non-HKID holders, their real-name registration information will be manually verified. Currently, provision of false information and/or false documents under the RNR Programme may constitute a criminal offence. OFCA does not maintain information on the resale of registered PPS cards in the market.

In addition, the Police launched the mobile application “Scameter+” in February 2023 to help members of the public distinguish suspicious online platform accounts, payment accounts, phone numbers, email addresses, websites, etc, and to provide the public with anti-fraud tips. As at end-April this year, “Scameter+” had recorded over 960 000 downloads, 8.4 million searches in its search engine and 1 million alerts issued to members of the public. “Scameter+” has now been upgraded and is equipped with automatic detection functions. The Call Alert function and the Website Detection function within the mobile application will automatically identify scam calls and fraudulent websites. If potential fraud or cyber security risk is detected, “Scameter+” will issue a real-time notification, reminding users not to answer the call or browse the website. As at end-April this year, “Scameter+” had issued over 800 000 warnings about suspicious calls and websites to the public through its automatic function. Under OFCA’s co-ordination, the Police and major TSPs have established a mechanism where the TSPs will, based on the fraud records provided by the Police, block the telephone numbers suspected to be involved in deception cases and intercept suspicious website links as soon as possible. As at end-April this year, more than 50 000 website links and about 9 000 local and non-local phone numbers have been successfully blocked. The Police will also actively investigate cases related to these suspected scam phone numbers.

Apart from the above-mentioned measures, OFCA has also required the TSPs to intercept suspicious calls starting with “+852”, send voice alerts or text messages to all mobile users for overseas calls prefixed with “+852”, and play voice alerts for newly activated PPS cards, as well as has launched the SMS Sender Registration Scheme to assist members of public in distinguishing the identity of the SMS senders. OFCA has also been conducting continuous market surveillance and strengthening publicity activities, as well as has launched the District Anti-Phone Deception Ambassador Scheme in January this year, appointing over 300 District Council members and staff members of their ward offices as District Anti-Phone Deception Ambassadors. Starting from May this year, OFCA has collaborated with District Anti-Phone Deception Ambassadors through community activities to further promote anti-scam messages.

For telephone deception trends, the Police recorded a total of 1 816 telephone deception cases between January and April this year, averaging 454 cases per month and representing a significant 52.3 per cent decrease compared to the monthly average of 951 cases in the fourth quarter of 2024. The financial losses associated amounted to approximately HK$320 million, involving a total of 1 759 victims aged between 15 and 97. For telephone deception cases involving impersonation of customer service emerged since early last year, after focused enforcement efforts by the Police, the monthly average for the first four months this year dropped to approximately 190 cases, recording a decrease of over 80 per cent from the peak of about 1 110 cases in July 2024. These trends highlight the effectiveness of measures implemented by the Government in combating phone deception.

The Government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to combat phone deception and protect the interests of the public. Regarding anti-phone deception measures and the RNR Programme, with reference to the overall implementation experience and the Police’s provision of scam trends on criminal groups using PPS cards, the Government is reviewing the implementation effectiveness of relevant measures and overall operation of the RNR Programme, including reviewing the limit on the number of PPS cards, the arrangement for prohibiting the sale of registered SIM cards or using information of others to conduct real-name registration for profit making, etc. The Government aims to consult relevant Legislative Council Panel within this year.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Astana Declaration of the Second Central Asia-China Summit

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

ASTANA, June 18 (Xinhua) — The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on June 17, 2025. Below is the full text of the Astana Declaration of the Second Central Asia-China Summit.

Astana Declaration of the Second Central Asia-China Summit

On June 17, 2025, the second Central Asia-China summit was held in Astana with the participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K.K. Tokayev, the Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S.N. Japarov, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan E.Rahmon, the President of Turkmenistan S.G. Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh.M. Mirziyoyev.

The heads of state of the Central Asia-China format, recognizing the strategic importance of the region and recognizing the importance of further deepening multilateral cooperation based on equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, declare their commitment to further strengthening friendly relations, deepening political trust and expanding economic cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and China.

In a friendly atmosphere, the parties summed up the results of comprehensive cooperation between the Central Asian states and China, summarized the experience of multifaceted mutually beneficial cooperation, outlined guidelines for further cooperation and stated the following.

1. The Parties highly appreciate the results of the first Summit of Heads of State of the Central Asia-China format (May 19, 2023, Xi’an), the meeting of foreign ministers of the Central Asia-China format (December 1, 2024, Chengdu and April 26, 2025, Almaty), and also actively support the development of priority areas of cooperation at the level of heads of relevant ministries, departments and various forms of interaction.

The Parties agree that the development of fruitful multifaceted cooperation between the Central Asian states and China meets the fundamental interests of all countries and their peoples. Against the backdrop of changes unprecedented in a century, the Parties, based on favorable prospects for the peoples of the region, confirm their desire to jointly create a closer community of common destiny for Central Asia and China.

Based on a comprehensive review of the experience of cooperation between Central Asia and China, the Parties noted the formation of the “Central Asia-China spirit”, characterized by mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual assistance and the promotion of joint modernization through high-quality development. It is important to fully develop this spirit, which is intended to serve as a basis for the development of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the states of the Format.

2. The Parties reaffirm their support for the protection of each other’s fundamental interests in the spirit of mutual understanding and respect.

China firmly supports the development path of the Central Asian states, their efforts to safeguard their national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as their independent foreign and domestic policies. The Central Asian states reaffirm their commitment to the one-China principle and recognize that there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the PRC government is the sole legitimate government representing the whole of China. The Central Asian states oppose “Taiwan independence” in any form and firmly support the Chinese government’s efforts to reunify the country.

The parties reaffirmed their determination to strengthen centuries-old good-neighborliness, lasting friendship and reliable partnership, and noted the high relevance of signing a multilateral Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, which will contribute to the long-term, healthy and sustainable development of relations between China and the Central Asian states.

The Parties reaffirm their commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including respect for the state independence, equality, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

The Parties express their firm determination to uphold multilateralism, the generally recognized principles and norms of international law and international relations, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and accessible and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly defend international justice and equality.

The parties will make efforts to further develop fruitful, multifaceted interaction within the framework of strengthening cooperation in various areas of the “Central Asia – China” format.

3. The heads of state of the participating countries of the Secretariat of the Central Asia-China format note the important role of the Secretariat of the Central Asia-China format in implementing the initiatives and tasks set by the heads of state, and also expressed their readiness to fully support the work of the Secretariat and provide it with favorable conditions and guarantees for development.

The Heads of State of the participating States of the Secretariat of the Central Asia-China format, on the basis of consensus, welcome the assumption of office of Secretary-General Sun Weidong from 1 May 2025.

4. The Parties confirm their commitment to strengthening the central role of the UN in ensuring international peace, security and sustainable development, disseminating universal human values – peace, development, justice, equality, democracy and freedom, and oppose attempts to politicize human rights issues. In this regard, they agreed to co-author the UN General Assembly resolution “On world unity for a just peace, harmony and development.”

The parties confirm their commitment to strengthening political dialogue and cooperation within the UN and other international organizations, exchanging views and coordinating positions on current regional and international issues.

The Parties welcome the proclamation of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution No. 78/266 of 21 March 2024 and the holding of the “International Forum for Peace and Trust” in 2025 in Ashgabat.

The parties welcomed the UN General Assembly Resolution declaring Central Asia a “Zone of Peace, Trust and Cooperation,” adopted at the initiative of Turkmenistan.

The parties also welcome the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Resolution “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan”, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the status of permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan.

The Parties note the importance of developing a Global Security Strategy based on UN principles and generally recognized principles and norms of international law, taking into account current realities and trends in global inequality.

The Parties reaffirm their strong commitment to the principles and objectives of international humanitarian law and highly appreciate the efforts of Kazakhstan and China as co-initiators of the Global Initiative to Strengthen Political Commitment to International Humanitarian Law. The Parties take note of the Global Initiative aimed at strengthening the principles of humanity and creating conditions conducive to achieving peace and breaking the endless cycle of violence in armed conflicts.

The parties participating in the SCO support China’s chairmanship of the SCO in 2024-2025 and are ready to provide all possible assistance in the successful holding of the SCO Summit in Tianjin.

5. The parties highly value the “One Belt, One Road” initiative and will continue to increase work to align this initiative with their national development strategies for the Central Asian states.

6. The Parties shall make efforts to strengthen the multilateral trading system based on WTO rules, support the adaptation of international trade rules to the changing world, and promote the liberalization and simplification of trade and investment procedures.

The Parties reaffirm the importance of intensifying the WTO discussion on development issues and emphasize the need to support open, inclusive, sustainable, resilient, diversified and secure global supply chains.

WTO member states also support the aspirations of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to join the WTO.

The interested parties intend to develop cooperation in six priority areas, including unimpeded trade, industry, investment, infrastructure connectivity, green subsoil use and agricultural modernization, and simplification of mutual travel for citizens.

The parties note the significant potential for trade and economic cooperation between the countries of the Format, express their readiness to use the role of the meeting of ministers of economy and trade “Central Asia – China”, promote high-quality development of trade, promote diversification of trade structure and simplification of trade procedures, update agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investments between the countries of Central Asia and China, reveal the potential of the working group on unimpeded trade, the Roundtable on Digital Trade and the mechanism “Dialogue on Cooperation in the Field of Electronic Commerce”, as well as intensify interaction in new industries.

The parties intend to strengthen investment and industrial cooperation in the field of “green” minerals, alternative energy sources and infrastructure projects, as well as in ensuring the stable and uninterrupted operation of the production chain in the region. The parties expressed interest in strengthening exchanges and cooperation in housing and communal construction, increasing the interconnectivity of digital and green infrastructure, and jointly developing cooperation in the field of infrastructure and engineering construction.

The parties will continue their efforts to increase the contribution of the Central Asian states and China to ensuring international energy and food security, to develop international transport and logistics routes, and to prevent disruptions in the supply of key products.

The parties intend to expand the possibilities of transport corridors and cargo containerization in every possible way to simplify transportation as much as possible, strengthen cooperation in the framework of container train movement along the China-Europe route through Central Asia, develop transit and logistics potential, and promote joint projects that serve the interests of the states in the region.

The parties welcome the start of the implementation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, which is of great importance for the Central Asian region and China.

The Parties are interested in the active use of the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port and the Aktau International Sea Trade Port by large transport and logistics companies of the Parties when transporting goods.

The parties, with the active participation of multimodal operators and based on geographical location, are developing a logistics mechanism for the railway, automobile and maritime industries in order to develop regular container transportation to expand the export of goods from Central Asian countries and further to world markets.

The parties welcomed the holding of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC 3) in Turkmenistan in 2025.

The Parties support raising the level of favourable conditions for international road transport by digitalising permits for international road transport and jointly increasing the exchange of experience and cooperation in the field of sustainable transport.

The parties noted the importance of the established Central Asia-China Business Council and expressed their readiness to support trade promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and interested organizations in strengthening cooperation in the areas of trade and investment in order to make a greater contribution to the development of trade and economic cooperation between the Central Asian states and China.

The parties noted the important role of the Central Asia-China Industrial and Investment Cooperation Forum in promoting investment cooperation between the Central Asian states and China, expanding industrial cooperation, and ensuring the stability and efficiency of production and supply chains.

The parties highly appreciate the mechanism of the meeting of heads of customs services within the framework of the “Central Asia-China” format, are ready to expand the exchange of experience and mutual cooperation in the implementation of the “Smart Customs, Smart Borders and Smart Communications” project, effectively promote practical cooperation in the field of interconnection of relevant services within the framework of the work of checkpoints, “single window”, risk management, simplification of customs procedures, mutual assistance in customs matters.

7. The Parties believe that building and expanding scientific and technological partnerships and continuously deepening scientific and technological cooperation based on complementary advantages and mutual benefits are of great importance.

The parties are ready to further intensify the dialogue on scientific and technological development, regularly exchange information on national strategies, priority areas and programs for scientific and technological development, share development experience, and support the holding of the China (XUAR)-Central Asia Cooperation Forum on Scientific and Technological Innovation.

The parties will actively support exchanges between research institutes and employees, the establishment of a network of partner institutes for the implementation of joint and exemplary projects on the application of technologies, and the creation of platforms for interaction on this basis.

The Parties support efforts to transfer technology and implement scientific and technological achievements in order to promote economic and social development through scientific and technological innovation.

The parties shall strengthen cooperation in the field of science and technology, including the exchange of best practices.

China welcomes the participation of the Parties in the Group of Friends of International Cooperation on AI Capacity Building. The Parties are willing to jointly promote the implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Strengthening International Cooperation on AI Capacity Building.

The parties noted the importance of the draft UN General Assembly Resolution “The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Creating New Opportunities for Socioeconomic Development and Acceleration of the Achievement of the SDGs in Central Asia,” initiated by Tajikistan.

8. The Parties express their readiness to utilize the potential of cooperation in the field of agriculture, including promoting investment in agriculture, industry interaction and cooperation in the field of trade in agricultural products. The Chinese side welcomes the active promotion of agricultural products of Central Asian countries, including through such important exhibitions as the China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

The parties will intensify efforts in the development of “smart” agriculture, exchange of experience in the implementation of water-saving, green and other highly efficient technologies, as well as best practices in this area.

The parties agreed to intensify the exchange of technologies and specialists in the field of melioration of arid, saline and alkaline soils, water-saving irrigation, pest control, livestock farming and veterinary medicine, and to strengthen the stress resistance of the agricultural sector with the aim of its sustainable development.

The Parties reaffirm the need for concerted efforts to ensure food security in the context of a changing climate, and also note the importance of farming in the most environmentally friendly ways that support biodiversity and make efficient use of land resources.

The parties welcomed the UN General Assembly Resolution “Central Asia Facing Environmental Challenges: Strengthening Regional Solidarity for Sustainable Development and Prosperity”, adopted at the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which confirms that climate change is one of the most complex problems of our time and creates serious difficulties on the path to sustainable development of all countries.

The parties also welcomed the UN General Assembly Resolutions “Promoting sustainable forest management, including afforestation and reforestation, on degraded lands, including in drylands, as an effective solution to environmental problems” and “The United Nations Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation in accordance with the Principles of Sustainable Forest Management (2027-2036)”, adopted at the initiative of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The parties note the importance of consolidating efforts to improve policies in the area of poverty reduction, increasing employment and incomes of the population and creating jobs. The parties expressed their readiness to intensify cooperation in this area by implementing effective social support programs for the population, exchanging specialists and modern methodologies.

9. The parties support the establishment of a Central Asia-China partnership on energy development, strengthening cooperation along the entire industrial chain, further expanding cooperation in traditional energy sources, including oil, natural gas and coal, strengthening cooperation in hydropower, solar, wind, hydrogen and other environmentally friendly energy sources, deepening cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, implementing projects using green technologies and clean energy sources, and implementing the concept of innovative, coordinated, green, open and common development.

The Parties highlight cooperation in the energy sector as an important component of sustainable development of the region. The Parties express their readiness to continue deepening energy cooperation for the purpose of joint high-quality development of the energy industry of all countries in the spirit of mutually beneficial cooperation and taking into account the interests of the Parties.

10. The interested parties support further expansion of cooperation between China and the Central Asian states along the entire industrial chain of development and use of mineral resources. The Parties will explore the possibility, within the framework of the current legislation of the Parties, of conducting joint work on geological research, exploration of mineral resources and the development of green subsoil use.

11. The Parties confirm their readiness to hold joint events in such areas as culture, cultural heritage and tourism. The Parties also intend to expand youth exchange mechanisms, develop cooperation in conducting joint archaeological expeditions, research into the history and heritage of the Great Silk Road, preserving and restoring cultural heritage, museum exchanges, and searching for and returning missing and stolen cultural valuables.

The parties highly appreciated the successful holding of the International High-Level Conference on Glacier Conservation, as well as the documents adopted following the results of this conference (Dushanbe, May 29-31, 2025).

The parties also welcomed the decision of the UNESCO General Conference to hold its 43rd session in Samarkand in 2025. This event will be an important step in advancing UNESCO’s global agenda and promoting international dialogue in the field of cultural, educational and scientific cooperation.

The Parties will support the holding of youth festivals, forums and sports competitions, including the organization of the World Nomad Games in 2026, initiated by the Kyrgyz Republic, as a unique event that promotes traditional sports and cultural diversity.

Interested parties will continue their efforts to mutually establish cultural centers.

The parties support the joint practice of declaring cultural and tourist capitals in the “Central Asia-China” format.

The parties highly appreciate the successful holding of the first meeting of education ministers in the “Central Asia – China” format.

The parties support cooperation between higher education institutions and businesses, the integration of production and education, and the acceleration of the implementation of international cooperation projects in vocational training, including within the framework of the Lu Ban Workshop.

The Parties support joint scientific research by higher education institutions in such areas as energy, agriculture, medicine and healthcare, and artificial intelligence. The Parties support the establishment of Confucius Institutes and the teaching of the Chinese language in Central Asian countries.

The parties highly appreciate the establishment by China of the Central Asia-China Poverty Alleviation Cooperation Center, the Central Asia-China Education Exchange and Cooperation Center, the Central Asia-China Desertification Cooperation Center, and the Central Asia-China Unimpeded Trade Cooperation Platform.

The parties noted the initiative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to create a Global Coalition on Primary Health Care, the purpose of which is to support the fundamental reorientation of health systems towards primary health care throughout the world.

12. The Parties reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, which are the main platform and legal basis for the international community to make joint efforts to combat climate change, and emphasized the need to comply with the goals, principles and institutional framework enshrined in the Framework Convention and the Paris Agreement, in particular the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and to promote the full and effective implementation of the provisions of the Framework Convention and the Paris Agreement with an emphasis on the formation of a fair, rational, cooperative and generally beneficial global climate governance system.

The parties expressed their readiness to hold dialogues within the framework of the “Central Asia – China” format to study the issue of developing and implementing measures to preserve biological diversity and adapt to climate change.

The parties noted the importance of implementing the Resolution adopted at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly “Sustainable Mountain Development”, which declared 2023-2027 the “Five Years of Action for Mountain Development”, in order to strengthen international cooperation on the mountain agenda and its further effective implementation.

The parties welcomed the initiatives of the Kyrgyz side aimed at promoting the issues of the mountain agenda and climate change, as well as the holding of the “High-Level Dialogue: Advancing the Mountain Agenda and Mainstreaming the Theme of Mountains and Climate Change” on the sidelines of COP-29 on November 13, 2024 in Baku, and expressed their readiness to explore the possibility of joining the “Declaration on Climate Change, Mountains and Glaciers” initiated by the Kyrgyz side, presented during the said Dialogue.

The parties took into account the proposal of the Tajik side to create transboundary specially protected natural areas, transboundary corridors and buffer zones for the conservation of individual species of fauna, the restoration and maintenance of populations of rare endangered and migratory species of animals, as well as the exchange of relevant experience and technologies.

The parties welcomed the accession of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to the Mountain Partnership Negotiating Group, representing the interests of mountain countries on the basis of the UNFCCC.

The Parties welcome the successful holding of the International Conference “Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development” in Bishkek on 24-25 April 2025, and also support the holding of the World Mountain Youth Festival (August 2025) and the Second Global Mountain Summit “Bishkek 25” (2027) in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The parties welcome the initiative to open a regional climate technology center for Central Asia under the auspices of the UN in Ashgabat as a platform for the transfer of technologies for adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its consequences.

The parties noted the significance of the results of the First Climate Forum, held in Samarkand on April 4-5, 2025, as an important step towards deepening regional dialogue and coordinating approaches to the climate agenda.

The Parties welcome the successful holding of the Central Asian Climate Change Conference 2025 in Ashgabat in May 2025 on the theme “Achieving the global goal on climate finance through regional and national actions in Central Asia”.

The parties support the holding of the Regional Climate Summit in Kazakhstan in 2026 under the auspices of the UN, which will give new impetus to climate action in Central Asia and consolidate the climate efforts of the countries of the region.

In this regard, the Parties call for exploring ways of cooperation within the framework of the Project Office for Central Asia on Climate Change and Green Energy, whose work is aimed at accelerating the climate transition in Central Asia through support for policies, innovation and partnership.

13. The Parties believe that stability, development and prosperity in Central Asia meet the common interests of the peoples not only of the six countries, but of the entire world community.

While strongly condemning terrorism, separatism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations, the Parties expressed their readiness to work together to combat the “three forces of evil”, in particular the cross-border movement of terrorist groups, illegal drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and cybercrime, to ensure the stable and successful progress of cooperation projects and to jointly counteract security threats.

The parties consider the platform for dialogue on security within the framework of the Dushanbe process on combating terrorism, as well as the initiative put forward by Tajikistan “Decade of Strengthening Peace for Future Generations”, to be important.

The parties will take joint measures to strengthen cooperation in the field of environmental protection, prevention of large-scale disasters and crises, joint response to the epidemiological situation, as well as in other relevant areas of security.

The parties confirmed the importance of UN General Assembly Resolution 72/283 of 22 June 2018 on strengthening regional and international cooperation to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in Central Asia, adopted at the initiative of Uzbekistan.

The parties welcomed the UN General Assembly Resolution “Readiness of Central Asian countries to act as a united front and cooperate to effectively address and eliminate drug-related problems,” adopted at the initiative of Uzbekistan.

The parties noted the need to strengthen cybersecurity in the region against the backdrop of the rapid development of information technology and artificial intelligence. The parties intend to use the infrastructure of IT parks in Central Asian countries to implement innovations, launch startups, conduct joint projects and exchange experiences.

The parties expressed their readiness to regularly exchange information, as well as to apply best practices and advanced experience aimed at ensuring the stable functioning of the information infrastructure in the region.

The parties are ready, together with the international community, to continue to provide assistance to the people of Afghanistan in maintaining peace and stability, restoring social infrastructure, and integrating into the regional and global economic system.

The Parties support and advocate the development of Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, prosperous country free from terrorism and drugs.

The Parties reaffirm their commitment to actively participate in the Doha process under the auspices of the UN and welcome the efforts in this area undertaken by UNAMA and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

The parties welcomed the inclusion of the regional humanitarian logistics centre in Termez, Republic of Uzbekistan, into the UNHCR global network of warehouses for emergency humanitarian response, which will strengthen the ability of the international community to quickly deliver essential supplies to internally displaced persons around the world.

The Parties highly appreciate the efforts of Kazakhstan to institutionalize the initiative to establish in Almaty the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan with the aim of accelerating the achievement of the SDGs in the region and addressing development challenges in Afghanistan, and also welcome the efforts of the Government of Tajikistan to provide its logistical capabilities for the delivery of international humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan.

The Parties welcomed Turkmenistan’s efforts to create appropriate conditions for the transportation of goods to/from Afghanistan, as well as humanitarian aid through its territory. In this regard, the Parties highly appreciated the commissioning of the Serhetabat-Turgundi and Kerki-Imamnazar railway links, as well as the start of work on the construction of a warehouse complex in the dry port of the Turgundi railway station.

The Parties note the need for joint efforts in combating the illegal trafficking of drugs and their precursors, the problem of the spread of new psychoactive substances, including through the use of new technologies and means for these purposes, and consideration of the possibility of developing a Joint Anti-Drug Action Plan with the participation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

14. The Parties are ready to actively cooperate within the framework of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and, through joint efforts, accelerate the implementation of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensure peace and security in the region and throughout the world, and promote the exchange and mutual enrichment of civilizations.

The Parties express their readiness to jointly hold relevant events based on the Resolution of the International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations adopted by the UN General Assembly, and to jointly promote the exchange and mutual enrichment of civilizations.

The Parties support the development of a peaceful, open, secure, cooperative and orderly cyberspace within the framework of the Global Data Security Initiative, emphasize the importance of jointly promoting the Central Asia-China Digital Data Security Cooperation Initiative, deepening practical cooperation in the field of ensuring international information security, jointly combating cybercrime and cyberterrorism, emphasize the key role of the UN in countering threats in the information space, in particular relevant rules in the field of data security, support the development within the UN of universal rules of responsible behavior of states in the information space, call on the international community to sign as soon as possible the UN Comprehensive Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Criminal Purposes, approved by UN General Assembly Resolution 79/243 of December 24, 2024.

The Parties emphasize the significant role of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia in strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. In this regard, the Parties note the need for further development of cooperation between countries within the framework of the Treaty, as well as the establishment of interaction with other regional nuclear-weapon-free zones in the world.

The parties note the importance of expanding cooperation in the field of biological safety.

The parties noted Kazakhstan’s efforts to establish the UNESCAP Digital Solutions Centre for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific region.

15. The Parties declare that, starting from the Second Central Asia-China Summit, they will hold thematic years every two years, with 2025-2026 being declared the “Years of High-Quality Development of Central Asia-China Cooperation”.

16. The parties express their gratitude to the Kazakh side for the high level of organization of the second Central Asia-China summit.

The parties decided to hold the third Central Asia-China summit in 2027 in China.

President of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Tokayev

Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping

President of the Kyrgyz Republic S. Japarov

President of the Republic of Tajikistan E.Rahmon

President of Turkmenistan S. Berdimuhamedov

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sh. Mirziyoyev

Astana, June 17, 2025

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Active Citizens” will evaluate the venues of the “Teatralny Boulevard” festival

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

The Active Citizen project has begun new vote, in which residents will evaluate the work of the sites of the International Open Festival “Theater Boulevard”Among them are the spaces on Pokrovsky, Tsvetnoy, Chistoprudny Boulevards and in the Polytechnic Museum Park.

For the second year in a row, city streets and boulevards have become a venue for open-air performances by participants of the “Theater Boulevard”, which is taking place in the capital as part of a large-scale project “Summer in Moscow”This season will give residents and tourists even more vivid impressions: over 600 performances of various genres will be held at 12 venues – from classics to bold performances.

From drama to circus performances

All summer long, theatre companies from Russia, China, Mexico and other countries will delight guests with classical productions and surprise them with bold creative experiments. Thus, the fantasy space on Tsvetnoy Boulevard will immerse viewers in a carefree childhood. Here you can admire the skill of artists on stilts, laugh with talented clowns, and also watch performances with giant puppets or participate in immersive productions.

Voters will also have to evaluate the beloved space of the amphitheater on Pokrovsky Boulevard. It has become a stage for dramatic productions, musicals and operettas. Here, viewers can meet foreign groups, Moscow and regional theaters, as well as actors and directors of theater and cinema.

The space in the park of the Polytechnic Museum has become a new point of attraction for spectators. In the comfortable space of the amphitheater, student groups from leading creative universities of Russia, as well as Moscow and regional theaters, present their performances.

The stage on Chistoprudny Boulevard differs from the stages on Pokrovsky Boulevard and in the Polytechnic Museum Park. According to Alina Pazhentseva, assistant stage producer, its main difference is the absence of an amphitheater and a chamber format. Puppet and solo show artists perform as close to the audience as possible, further immersing and involving guests in the creative process. In addition, lectures dedicated to the legends of Moscow theaters, meetings with theater and film stars, and other events are held here.

More information about the events can be found on the festival website “Theater Boulevard” and the project page “Summer in Moscow”Many performances can be attended for free.

The vote was prepared by the project “Active Citizen” together with the capital Department of Culture And By the Tourism CommitteeUsers with a full or standard account on the mos.ru portal can take part in it.

Project “Active Citizen” has been operating since 2014. During this time, more than seven million people have joined it, and more than seven thousand votes have been held. Every month, 30 to 40 decisions made by Muscovites are implemented in the city. The project is being developed by the capital Department of Information Technology together with the State Institution “New Management Technologies”.

The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.

“Book in the City”: from June 1, the capital will have places for reading, communication and creativity

Project “Summer in Moscow” — the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. The Summer in Moscow project is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155366073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Frank Elderson: Europe at a crossroads: it is high time to complete the Single Market

Source: European Central Bank

Keynote speech by Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the SRB Legal Conference 2025

Brussels, 18 June 2025

Thank you for your kind invitation. It is a pleasure to join you this morning to discuss the key obstacles to completing the single European market from the ECB’s perspective.

40 years ago Jacques Delors presented a now-famous “White Paper”, outlining a bold and comprehensive vision for completing the single European market. This historic document identified 279 obstacles, many of them legal in nature, that stood in the way of the free movement of goods, people, capital and services across Europe.

Delors’ White Paper did not come out of nowhere – it was conceived as a solution to tackle the challenges plaguing Europe in 1985: eurosclerosis^[1], competitiveness crisis, paralysing political tensions. These issues dominated the headlines of the time.

Policymakers overcame these obstacles with the Single European Act building on a clear and actionable timeline. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Fast-forward 40 years and we now stand at a similar crossroads in Europe, this time facing even greater challenges. Geopolitical fragmentation is on the rise, sparking demand for more strategic autonomy to ensure we remain the masters of our own destiny. Our economies are undergoing profound structural changes as we navigate the clean energy and digital transitions. Meanwhile, there is a growing concern we are losing out on competitiveness, which risks threatening European standards of living.

I will start my remarks today by taking a look at why deepening the Single Market matters. I will then cover some of the main obstacles hindering the Single Market from developing its full potential and conclude by outlining a possible way forward.

In this, I am guided by Jacques Delors’ insight from 40 years ago, which could not be more relevant today – “The time for talk has now passed. The time for action has come.”

Deepening the Single Market is key for prosperity and our mandates

Over the past decades the Single Market has delivered remarkable economic results and substantially improved the wellbeing of more than 440 million citizens across the continent.

ECB economists have found that the Single Market has added between 12% and 22% to long-run EU GDP^[2]. We saw a remarkable five-fold increase in the intra-EU trade of goods between 1993 and 2021^[3]. And, importantly, the Single Market forms the bedrock of a predictable investment and business environment, founded on the rule of law.^[4]

Yet, markets remain fragmented and too many internal barriers are preventing the Single Market from developing its full potential.

This is particularly the case for services, which account for around 75% of the EU’s GDP. Soberingly, 60% of barriers to trade in services are still the same as they were 20 years ago. And, worryingly, intra-EU services trade is no higher than services trade with non-EU countries, suggesting that the Single Market for services operates significantly below its potential.

This self-induced straightjacket comes with a significant price tag.

The IMF estimates that internal barriers to the Single Market are, on average, equivalent to a tariff of 44% for goods and a staggering 110% for services. These figures underline an ironic reality: while much of our focus is directed at the potential economic impact of external tariffs applied to goods traded with non-EU trading partners, we risk overlooking the far greater burden of self-imposed internal barriers. These barriers are weighing on our economy every single day. Fortunately, unlike external tariffs imposed on us by non-EU countries, the decision to address internal barriers lies entirely within our own competence.

One might ask: why should deepening the Single Market concern the ECB?

The establishment of a fully integrated single market could enhance the effectiveness of our monetary policy. The euro area’s single monetary policy cannot be tailored to national circumstances. Economic theory identifies this as one of the inherent costs for countries joining a monetary union. However, merging currencies can still yield substantial net benefits when countries’ economic cycles are closely synchronised, as this ensures that the ECB’s single monetary policy is appropriate for all euro area countries.^[5] A deeper internal market works as a catalyst for such synchronisation by aligning the economic structures of the countries subject to a single monetary policy. This is achieved either through enhanced risk sharing and the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour.^[6]

A more integrated single market is also crucial for effective banking supervision. Although we have a Single Rulebook in the banking union, national variations remain within this single prudential rulebook. In addition, foundational elements of the prudential framework, such as accounting standards, securities and insolvency laws, continue to differ across Member States, which adds unnecessary complexity. A more integrated banking system with more harmonised rules would yield significant benefits: it would make the allocation of credit inside the Single Market more efficient while providing opportunities for banks to grow and compete across borders.^[7]

Deepening the internal market also offers broader advantages. It could enhance euro area competitiveness by enabling businesses to scale up, achieve economies of scale and allocate resources more efficiently. Increased competition drives innovation and productivity, while harmonised regulations lower costs and reduce administrative burdens for firms across borders. This environment attracts investment, strengthens supply chains and enhances the euro area’s strategic autonomy by reducing dependence on external markets. These advancements not only support the effectiveness of our monetary policy and banking supervision but also address the challenges of an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape.^[8]

But we cannot succeed if we have 27 different policies for our firms and industries.

We cannot succeed if we fail to recognise professional qualifications across the EU.

And we certainly will not succeed if we allow a self-defeating spiral of national fragmentation to take hold. Instead, any meaningful debate on growth, productivity and strategic autonomy must begin – and end – with a firm commitment to completing the Single Market and to do so in a timely manner.

Deepening the Single Market is a legal imperative

Completing the Single Market is not only necessary in light of the challenges of our times – it is also a legal imperative anchored in the EU Treaties.

Let me first recall that the ultima ratio of the Single Market is its completion. As long as barriers persist to the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, the Single Market remains an unfinished promise.

Second, the completion of the Single Market is not just an aspiration – it is a legal obligation. Article 3.4 of the Treaty on European Union states unequivocally that “the Union shall establish an internal market”. Hence, the Single Market is nothing less than an explicit objective of the Union under the Treaties.

And third, the Treaties are very clear that the Single Market is a key lever to foster citizens’ welfare and promote the Union’s interests in the world.^[9] This is important at a time when increasing strategic autonomy has become essential in light of geopolitical rifts and shifts.

Thus, completing the Single Market is not merely something that is “nice to have”, something we might do when the moment is right, something that depends on the political winds and tides. It is a legal imperative strongly anchored in the Treaties.

So, if the Treaties are crystal clear about the need to complete the internal market, one may ask: what are the main impediments to its full completion? And, more importantly, what can be done to address them?

The “troubling three” for the ECB

To be clear, Member States and EU institutions are in the driving seat when it comes to addressing the barriers hindering the Single Market – not central bankers or prudential supervisors. However, the ECB very much welcomes the recent momentum to deepen the internal market, and I would like to reflect on this important endeavour from our perspective.

Encouragingly, the challenge of completing the internal market is well understood. The Commission has accelerated its work on making the Single Market simpler, seamless and stronger.^[10] As a first step, the EU and the Member States must work together to prevent the emergence of new barriers. However, to achieve meaningful progress, the EU must also remove the barriers that obstruct the functioning of the Single Market.

In this regard, the European Commission’s new single market strategy provides a clear and focused roadmap by identifying the “terrible ten” – the most significant barriers that must be addressed.^[11] This prioritisation is both pragmatic and effective. While clearly all barriers need to be removed in the long term, the Commission’s strategy wisely concentrates efforts on those whose resolution promises the greatest economic impact.

Let me highlight three key points relevant for delivering on our mandate.

Overly complex EU rules

The first one is complexity. The key issue here is not complexity per se, but excessive complexity. As Albert Einstein wisely said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler”. This principle applies equally to regulation.

EU market legislation must often balance a wide array of diverse market interests and national policy preferences, which inevitably results in complexity and diverging rules. In this context, we welcome ongoing simplification efforts provided they do not compromise the fundamental purpose of the rules.^[12]

In this respect, it is important to emphasise that reducing complexity is best achieved through European harmonisation, not by lowering regulatory requirements. Harmonisation not only simplifies the legal framework but also makes it more seamless and, when based on best practices, stronger. As I stated earlier this year: don’t cut rules, harmonise them.^[13] After all these decades of European integration there is still no better way to simplify and to lower the regulatory burden than to reduce 27 regimes to one.

Lack of Single Market ownership by Member States

Another main obstacle to advancing the internal market lies in the fact that it is a shared competence between the EU and the Member States.^[14] Member States have legitimate policy interests that may have unintended consequences for the Single Market. Think about areas like consumer protection or health and safety. In these fields, national preferences differ, driving fragmentation and complexity in EU regulation.

Member States also contribute to market fragmentation through delayed transposition, incorrect application, or overly burdensome and unnecessarily divergent implementation of EU law – a practice commonly referred to as “gold-plating”, although it would be more fitting to speak of “lead-plating” as from a European perspective this practice results in something that is not shiny like gold but heavy like lead.

Such practices are also evident in banking supervision because the prudential framework also consists of EU directives that need to be transposed into national law.

For example, in several areas, including licensing and governance, rules differ across Member States because laws transposing EU directives are not fully harmonised. Dealing with a wide array of different national rules is far from ideal for the single European supervisor. Further harmonising the regulatory framework for the banking sector would further enhance our effectiveness as a bank supervisor.

While harmonisation within the internal market has typically been achieved through directives, there is an increasing reliance on regulations to legislate in the financial sector. Regulations offer a clear advantage: they do not require transposition into national legislation, thereby avoiding delays, transposition deficits and the risk of national preferences diluting the intended benefits of internal market rules. In areas where full harmonisation is currently politically or technically unfeasible, alternative approaches, such as introducing a “28th regime”, could provide a practical and effective interim step.

Complicated business establishment and operations

Finally, the establishment and operation of companies across the EU remains unnecessarily complex and costly, largely due to the fragmentation of legal rules across Member States. This hinders businesses, particularly start-ups, from scaling up effectively.

A related challenge persists in the banking sector where cross-border banking integration remains limited despite the banking union’s Single Rulebook, Single Supervisory Mechanism and Single Resolution Mechanism.

The advantages of deeper cross-border banking integration are clear.

Eliminating barriers to integration would enable banks to achieve economies of scale and enhance risk diversification, with cross-border mergers offering opportunities for greater profitability. However, the current limited level of cross-border integration restricts the potential for private risk-sharing within the European banking market. This fragmentation also hampers banks’ ability to optimise liquidity management, ultimately increasing risks to financial stability.^[15]

European banking supervision has taken important steps to tackle obstacles to cross-border banking integration. For example, we issued a guide affirming that cross-border mergers within the euro area will be treated the same as domestic mergers.^[16] We clarified that European banking supervision will not hinder banks wishing to convert subsidiaries into branches.^[17] Additionally, we made it clear that banks operating across borders through subsidiaries can apply for liquidity waivers to pool liquidity across legal entities. In short, we made it as clear as we could and let me repeat this message just as clearly today: as long as regulatory prudential requirements are met, we will not stand in the way of cross-border banking consolidation and cross-border integration more generally, very much to the contrary.

However, despite these efforts, progress on financial integration in the euro area remains limited. This indicates that remaining obstacles are influenced by factors unrelated to banking supervision. In this context, reaching a political agreement on the banking union’s third pillar, a European deposit insurance scheme, is more critical than ever. Moreover, avoiding undue fragmentation of the single market and unjustified impact on the freedoms of the Treaty is critical.

Beyond progress on the banking union, advancing the capital markets union is equally critical, as the two are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing.^[18] A stronger banking union, for instance, helps prevent shocks from spreading to broader capital markets, while robust capital markets diversify funding sources and reduce banking risks.

Currently, financial institutions looking to expand across borders face a fragmented landscape of national specificities and procedures, for example, securities, accounting and insolvency laws. Addressing these barriers through the harmonisation of securities laws, accounting frameworks and corporate insolvency rules is essential to fostering a truly integrated financial market.

Encouragingly, the Commission’s savings and investment union (SIU) proposal, with the capital markets union as a key pillar, brings renewed momentum to these efforts. Swift implementation of the full SIU strategy requires decisive action. At EU level, this includes advancing policy initiatives on supervision, as well as trading and post-trading infrastructure. At national level, reforms such as taxation of cross-border investments remain crucial.

Conclusion

Before concluding, let me offer one final practical suggestion drawing from our own experience with the Economic and Monetary Union. The success of the euro was, in part, built on the foundation of a clear and well-defined timeline in the Maastricht Treaty setting out a roadmap for economic convergence and the creation of a common currency.

Similarly, the adoption of the Single Market in 1993 crucially built on the timeline contained in the Single European Act of 1986, which was championed by Jacques Delors.

Also today, in light of the mounting challenges we face, we do not have time to waste.

Also today, we need to move forward and complete the Single Market.

To effectively drive progress, we need a clear and time-limited roadmap, which includes concrete interim milestones and – crucially – a final “mobilising deadline”, as the governor of the Banque de France has called it.^[19]

We must undertake this endeavour jointly – EU institutions, Member States, businesses – ultimately all of us. Because, ultimately, completing the Single Market concerns all of us.

As Jacques Delors wisely said “Europe is not just about markets. It is about a way of life.”

To protect that European way of life and to foster prosperity, strategic autonomy and competitiveness, our best course of action is to timely complete the Single Market.^[20]

Thank you for your attention.

MIL OSI Europe News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ17: Consolidating Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

LCQ17: Consolidating Hong Kong’s status as international financial centre
Question:

     There are views that Hong Kong should continue to consolidate and enhance the development of an international financial centre, further dovetail with the national development strategies, expand various mutual access mechanisms, and enhance Hong Kong’s functions in the overall development of the country, so as to attract more Mainland and international capital to Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) as some members of the industry have relayed that at present, under the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect (WMC) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, products under the Southbound Scheme cannot be directly promoted in the Mainland by Hong Kong financial institutions, and products under the Northbound Scheme cannot be directly promoted in Hong Kong by Mainland financial institutions, whether the authorities will discuss with Mainland regulators enhancement measures on cross-boundary sales and promotion, so as to enable practitioners in both places to fully launch their businesses;

(2) as it is learnt that under the existing arrangements for mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the Mainland, Hong Kong practitioners holding the relevant licences of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission are still required to pass the examination on relevant Mainland laws and regulations before they are allowed to practise in the Mainland, whether the authorities will further discuss with the Mainland regulators to explore the streamlining or exemption of the examination on relevant laws and regulations, so as to facilitate Hong Kong practitioners to develop their business in the Mainland;

(3) given the views relayed by some members of the industry, whether the authorities can expand the scope of investment products under the WMC Scheme, including providing additional investment options other than those with low or medium risk, including but not limited to alternative investments or private equity funds, so as to meet the diversified risk management needs of both Mainland and overseas investors; and

(4) as it has been mentioned in this year’s Budget that the Government will actively enhance the mutual market access mechanism with the Mainland, including the plan for the issuance of offshore Mainland government bond futures in Hong Kong, and implementing block trading of stocks as soon as possible, what measures the authorities have in place to further improve market liquidity and facilitate market transactions when exploring further expansion initiatives in the future?

Reply:

President,

     Hong Kong has been actively leveraging our unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle, with the support of our motherland and our connectivity to the world. We have proactively aligned with national strategies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, with an aim to promoting deeper integration with the Mainland financial markets and to fully capitalising on the opportunities brought by our country’s development. In consultation with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), my reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:

(1) and (3) Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect (WMC) in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) provides GBA residents with a formal, direct and convenient channel for cross-boundary investment in diverse wealth management products and marks a milestone in the financial development of the GBA.

     WMC has seen continuous and steady development since its launch in September 2021. “WMC 2.0” commenced in February 2024. Enhancement measures include increasing the individual investor quota from RMB1 million to RMB3 million, lowering the threshold for participating in the Southbound Scheme to support more GBA residents to participate in the scheme, expanding the scope of participating institutions to include eligible securities firms, expanding the scope of eligible investment products, and further enhancing the promotion and sales arrangements.

     In terms of sales and promotion, taking banks as an example, enhanced promotion and sales arrangements were introduced last year under the Southbound Scheme. After obtaining written consent from a Southbound Scheme client, the Hong Kong bank concerned could proactively introduce products and relevant information that align with the client’s risk appetite during that sales promotion process. This not only simplifies the sales process of the relevant institutions but also allows Southbound Scheme investors to more conveniently access the needed product information and professional guidance.

     In June 2025, we also jointly implemented with relevant Mainland financial regulatory authorities a “Tri-party Online Meeting” sales arrangement. Under this arrangement, at the request of a Southbound Scheme client, a Mainland bank may assist him/her at its Mainland branch to set up a tri-party online dialogue or video conference with a Hong Kong bank in relation to the Southbound Scheme services. During such meeting, representative(s) from the Hong Kong bank can introduce eligible wealth management products under the Southbound Scheme to the Southbound Scheme client. This arrangement provides Southbound Scheme investors with a convenient online channel to learn about relevant Hong Kong wealth management products and is also expected to enhance the convenience of sales and communication for local banks.

     Furthermore, we are committed to further enhancing the range of investment products under the “WMC 2.0” policy framework. For example, in the area of funds, since the launch of “WMC 2.0”, the number of eligible public funds under the Southbound Scheme has increased from around 160 in end-2023 to 358 by the end of March 2025, thereby strengthening the range of products available. We will continue to review the operation of “WMC 2.0” under the principles of controllable risk and adequate investor protection, and work with relevant Mainland regulatory authorities to explore the feasibility of further optimisation and expansion of WMC.

     As an innovative financial co-operation measure in the GBA involving three different regulatory systems, WMC has been implemented under a pilot approach in a gradual and incremental manner. Since the implementation of “WMC 2.0”, operations have been smooth, with a significant increase in the number of investors and amount of cross-boundary fund remittances. According to statistics from the People’s Bank of China, up to end-April 2025, over 154 200 individual investors in the GBA participated in WMC, with cross-boundary fund remittances (including Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao) amounting to over RMB112.2 billion had been recorded. The Government and the financial regulators will continue to monitor market developments and the operation of WMC, collaborate with the Mainland regulatory authorities and the industry to explore room for further enhancement.

(2) Regarding mutual recognition of financial professional qualifications with the Mainland, the SFC and the China Securities Regulatory Commission have implemented an arrangement for mutual recognition of professional qualifications for the securities and futures sector, and simplified the relevant procedures for obtaining securities practising registration and applying for the futures or fund practising qualifications in the Mainland. Hong Kong professionals with relevant licence issued by the SFC only need to pass the Mainland’s examination on the relevant laws and regulations; and the examination on the foundation paper is not required.

     For the banking sector, the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB) and the China Banking Association (CBA) signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Recognition of Personal Wealth Management Qualification Certificates in 2009, officially launching the mutual recognition mechanism. Subsequently, the two sides signed addendums twice to improve the relevant arrangements. The CBA, the China Bankers Institute and the HKIB signed Addendum III in 2022 to ensure eligible practitioners can obtain the Associate Retail Wealth Professional (ARWP) professional qualification issued by the HKIB. Under the Agreement, financial practitioners from the Mainland and Hong Kong can obtain “dual qualifications” (Level 1 of Qualification Certificate of Banking Professional and ARWP) through the mutual recognition mechanism.

     We will continue to examine enhancement measures with Mainland regulatory authorities to explore ways of broadening Hong Kong professionals’ entry into the Mainland market, thereby increasing the flexibility in the provision of human capital for the Mainland and Hong Kong markets.

(4) The Government, together with financial regulatory authorities, is actively working with relevant Mainland authorities to advance the inclusion of the Renminbi counters under the Southbound Trading of Stock Connect, introduction of block trading, and the expansion of mutual-market access regime to cover Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), with a view to attracting and facilitating greater participation in Hong Kong’s securities market and enhancing market liquidity. We will continue discussions with Mainland counterparts on further expansion and optimisation of the financial market connectivity schemes. This will better meet the needs of domestic and overseas investors for cross-market and diversified asset allocation, supporting the healthy integration and development of the Mainland and Hong Kong capital markets.
Issued at HKT 15:00

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Nokia launches Autonomous Network Fabric to help customers accelerate network automation
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press release
Nokia launches Autonomous Network Fabric to help customers accelerate network automation
- Nokia Autonomous Network Fabric brings together all the capabilities required to accelerate the journey to full network automation in an open, cloud-native, multi-vendor environment.
- Key features include a library of cross-domain correlated data products, telco-trained models (LLM/LAM/ML), integrated security, and AI apps for automation workflows.
- Nokia announces an expanded collaboration with Google Cloud that will make Nokia’s Autonomous Network Fabric available to deploy anywhere customers need it, on Google Cloud, on premises, and in hybrid cloud environments.
18 June 2025
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced its Autonomous Networks Fabric, the industry’s first suite of telco-trained AI models, integrated security, and AI apps to accelerate network automation and enable operators to easily roll out new services. Autonomous Network Fabric is a unifying intelligence layer that weaves together observability, analytics, security, and automation across every network domain; allowing a network to behave as one adaptive system, regardless of vendor, architecture, or deployment model.

Additionally, Nokia is announcing an expanded collaboration with Google Cloud to enable customers to deploy Nokia’s Autonomous Network Fabric as a SaaS application running on Google Cloud, on-premises with Google Distributed Cloud, and in hybrid cloud environments.
Over the past few years, operators have started to move toward fully autonomous networks. However, they are held back by legacy systems, siloed processes, and fragmented data. With Nokia’s Autonomous Network Fabric, operators now have a fully integrated suite that features unified data management, 360-degree observability, and explainable AI. Nokia’s Autonomous Network Fabric enables automation at scale, reducing the complexity of automation while allowing operators to improve reliability and operational cost savings by quickly testing new ideas and integrating those that deliver desired benefits.

“As networks become more autonomous, they will require different forms of AI—from classical algorithms to language-based systems and intelligent agents—to each contribute distinct capabilities for operators. Nokia’s new tools can help operators to manage their infrastructure, services, and cyber risks by applying AI that is trained on industry-specific data and enriched with real-time situational awareness,” said Andy Hicks, Senior Principal Analyst, GlobalData.

Nokia’s Autonomous Networks Fabric will leverage Google Cloud’s generative AI, including Google Cloud’s Vertex AI and BigQuery, to deliver agentic-driven workflows for network operations. This includes real-time monitoring and visibility into network traffic patterns, improving subscriber experience, anomaly detection, zero-touch remediation of performance issues, and support for elastic scale-out and disaster recovery to the cloud.

Nokia and Google Cloud are making it easier for telecom companies to run Nokia’s 5G core network on Google’s cloud infrastructure. They are also joining forces with a major European operator to build a smarter, more automated network. By combining Nokia’s telecom data and automation capabilities with Google’s AI tools, they aim to create an environment where developers can innovate and rapidly scale network automation.

“In an era of increasingly complex and vulnerable networks, customers are eager for fully autonomous networks, which depend on good data. There is no good AI without good data. Nokia’s Autonomous Network Fabric lays the foundation and applies our deep network expertise and agentic AI-optimized workflows together with Google Cloud to accelerate customer outcomes,” said Kal De, SVP Product and Engineering, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia.

“This is another step in our deep partnership with Nokia to strengthen network reliability, proactively detect and resolve network issues, and turn data into value for predictable and high-performing networks. Nokia’s Autonomous Network Fabric taps Nokia’s deep telecom domain knowledge combined with Google Cloud’s AI tools to provide operators with a comprehensive approach for accelerating network automation,” said Muninder Singh Sambi, Vice President and General Manager, Networking and Security, Google Cloud.

With Nokia’s Autonomous Network Fabric, customer will benefit from the following capabilities:

Unified Data Management: All relevant network data is collected, curated, correlated, and published as data products leveraging a data mesh architecture. Data is virtually federated with the ability to design and construct new data products rapidly in a low-code/no-code environment. Operators can use logic or AI/ML to create cutting-edge data assets that can be used and reused to power automation.

360-degree Observability: The Autonomous Network Fabric federates the use and distribution of data and AI across the organization, monitoring chain of custody from end to end. This ensures quality and consistency in automation.

Explainable AI: Powerful telco-trained LLMs support all automation through a rich knowledge engine that gives a clear reasoning for how data is interpreted, how issues are analyzed, and why certain actions are recommended.

Visit Nokia at Booth 306 at Digital Transformation World to find out more about the future of autonomous networks and see a live demo of Nokia AN Fabric in action.

Multimedia, technical information and related news
Product Page: Nokia Autonomous Networks
Product Page: Nokia Data Suite

About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.

With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable, and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media inquiries
Nokia Press Office
Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

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The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Institutional Demand Supports Crypto as Bitwise marks five-year anniversary of listing its first European product
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
- Five-year anniversary of Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP (BTCE) listing – first spot crypto ETP on Deutsche Börse Xetra
- Use of German regulator approved prospectus, and an innovative, robust product structure contributed to broader market adoption
- Adding value: €100 invested into BTCE at launch would now be worth over €1,000¹– long-term trends continue to support investor interest in digital assets
June 18, 2025. Frankfurt: Bitwise today celebrates the five-year anniversary of its first European product: the Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP (BTCE), the world’s first-ever centrally cleared Bitcoin ETP. The listing on 18 June 2020 marked Bitwise’s debut in European markets and became a catalyst for a wave of listings of crypto products on Xetra, Europe’s largest ETF trading venue.

Bradley Duke, Head of Europe at Bitwise, said: “Reaching the five-year mark is not just a milestone, it is also a point of reflection on our long-term vision and commitment to building transparent, reliable, and secure access to digital asset investments for European investors. Bitwise is 100% focused on crypto, but many of our experts come from traditional finance, putting us in a unique position to accompany investors on their journey into this new and unique investment class. We thank the pioneering investors and partners who believed in this asset class early on, and we look forward to continuing to serve the evolving needs of the market.”

Stephan Kraus, Head of ETF & ETP at Deutsche Boerse, said: “We congratulate Bitwise on the fifth anniversary of its Bitcoin ETP on Xetra. The listing of this pioneering product marked the start of our segment for crypto ETNs and was an important step towards giving investors access to the performance of cryptocurrencies in a regulated market environment. It was also the first centrally-cleared product of its kind in the world. As the largest trading venue for crypto ETNs in Europe, we greatly appreciate the partnership with Bitwise, and look forward to continued collaboration.”

A market benchmark for product design and transparency

BTCE is now one of Europe’s largest physically backed Bitcoin ETPs by assets under management and the most actively traded. Its structure — featuring full physical backing, physical redemption option, and a strict no-lending policy — has set a new standard for crypto ETP design and reflects the priorities of investors who demanded greater transparency from the outset. Bitwise is grateful to the early adopters who set high expectations and helped raise the standard across the industry.

Transparency remains central to Bitwise’s approach. Weekly balance reports are published by an independent administrator, and the blockchain addresses of Bitwise’s primary BTC and ETH product custody wallets are publicly disclosed, enabling any investor to verify collateral levels independently. To further reduce operational risk, Bitwise pioneered a safeguard mechanism requiring all crypto and securities asset movements to be approved by an independent transaction administrator, who holds a legally enforceable veto right embedded in the Bitwise ETP structure.

Bitwise’s management company is ISO/IEC 27001:2017 certified, reflecting its commitment to operational integrity. With no proprietary trading, Bitwise remains fully aligned with client interests.

As cryptoassets become an accepted component of diversified portfolios, Bitwise continues to support investors with practical tools and evidence-based insights. Internal analysis shows that adding a 5% allocation to Bitcoin within a traditional 60/40 portfolio between 2014 and 2025 would have increased average annual returns from 6.2% to 10.6%, with limited impact on volatility, drawdowns, or risk-adjusted returns.
Today, more than 250 crypto ETPs are listed across XETRA and other leading European exchanges. Bitwise’s offering has grown in tandem with investor demand, expanding beyond single asset strategies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana to include diversified crypto baskets and index-based staking ETPs.

Bitwise products are designed to integrate seamlessly into professional portfolios, offering exposure to cryptoassets through regulated vehicles— without the operational risks of holding a physical wallet. They are also accessible to individual investors via leading brokerage platforms, with features such as physical redemption included as standard.

Fundamental trends supporting the demand for crypto assets

Bitwise believes that a number of fundamental trends may support the value of crypto assets over the long term. In portfolio context, digital assets can be deployed as effective hedge against inflation that is not as susceptible to fiscal or global trade political agendas as traditional currencies. Crypto is more widely accepted by Gen Z investors, who are about to benefit from a wealth transfer from some of the richest generations that ever existed. Many coins have use cases that are independent of their use as a currency. And finally, crypto assets are a welcome solution for the unbanked or underbanked, particularly in parts of the world that are politically unstable. With crypto, access to a smartphone and the internet is enough to make payments.

Bitwise is continuing to launch innovative new products regularly, such as the Bitwise Diaman Bitcoin & Gold ETP launched in March. Bitwise ETPs can be seamlessly integrated into standard brokerage or ETF portfolio accounts and are often eligible for SIPP and ISA inclusion, making them accessible for long-term investment planning in the UK.

Resources:

Dedicated website for the 5 year anniversary of BTCE

About Bitwise

Bitwise is one of the world’s leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence, managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies – spanning both the U.S. and Europe.

In Europe, for the past five years Bitwise (formerly ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe’s most traded bitcoin ETP, or the first diversified Crypto Basket ETP replicating an MSCI digital assets index.

This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and issued under a base prospectus approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians.

Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe. Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature. For more information, visit http://www.bitwiseinvestments.eu

Media contacts:

JEA Associates
John McLeod
00 44 7886 920436
john@jeaassociates.com

Important information
This press release does not constitute investment advice, nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation to buy financial products. This press release is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH (“BEU”), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that this article is neither investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to acquire financial products or cryptocurrencies.

Before investing in crypto Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”), potential investors should consider the following:
Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors. ETPs issued by BEU are suitable only for persons experienced in investing in cryptocurrencies and risks of investing can be found in the prospectus and final terms available on www.bitwiseinvestments.eu. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. ETPs backed by cryptocurrencies are highly volatile assets and performance is unpredictable. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The market price of ETPs will vary and they do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency. Investing in ETPs involves numerous risks including general market risks relating to underlying, adverse price movements, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks.

¹ Bloomberg, BTCE GY, data from 18 June 2020 to 27 May 2025

The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: New Mongolian government sworn in

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

ULAN BATOR, June 18 (Xinhua) — A new government led by Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojavin Zandanshatar was sworn in at the Government Palace in Ulan Bator on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the ruling Mongolian People’s Party (MPP), the HUN (Labour National Party) and the Civil Will-Green Party agreed to form a joint government consisting of a prime minister, 19 ministers and 16 ministries.

Among them are 16 ministers from the MPP, two ministers from the HUN party and one from the Civic Will-Greens party.

G. Zandanshatar retained some ministers from the government of Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, including Minister of Energy Battogtokhyn Choijilsuren, Minister of Roads and Transport Borkhuugiyn Delgersaikhan and Minister of Finance Boldyn Zhavkhlan.

HUN Party leader Togmidyn Dorjkhand has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister for Emergency Situations. HUN Party’s Purevsurengiin Naranbayar will continue to serve as Education Minister. Civil Will-Greens Party Chairman Batyn Batbaatar will assume the duties of Environment and Climate Change Minister.

The new cabinet is expected to focus on promptly addressing Mongolia’s development issues and strengthening national unity. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.114 [2025]

Source: Peoples Bank of China

Announcement on Open Market Operations No.114 [2025]

(Open Market Operations Office, June 18, 2025)

The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB156.3 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on June 18, 2025.

Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

Maturity

Rate

Bidding Volume

Winning Bid Volume

7 days

1.40%

RMB156.3 billion

RMB156.3 billion

Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

2025年06月18日

MIL OSI China News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Getting sustainable and equitable power to the people – how’s the global energy transition going?

Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

The Energy Transition Index is the World Economic Forum’s annual report on global efforts to get sustainable, secure and equitable energy to all. We hear from the Forum’s Espen Mehlum, head of energy transition intelligence, and speak to two experts on energy in Africa and Latin America.

Guests:

Clarissa Lins, Founding Partner at Catavento, Brazil
Andrew Herscowitz, CEO of the Mission 300 (M300) Accelerator

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/
YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/worldeconomicforum/
Twitter ► https://twitter.com/wef
LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
TikTok ► https://www.tiktok.com/@worldeconomicforum
Flipboard ► https://flipboard.com/@WEF

#WorldEconomicForum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeePBeo0nwc

MIL OSI Video –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: Combating hate in society: How people are shaping EU policies

Source: European Commission (video statements)

Imagine the EU asks you to help with combating hate in society by shaping its policies. Do you say yes?

Gemma – a lovely Italian grandma, Martin – an actor and drag performer from Slovakia, Daniel – a cargo office agent from Germany, and 147 other randomly selected EU citizens didn’t just imagine it—they lived it. Over three weekends in Brussels, they engaged in fruitful debates and discussions on how to tackle hatred in society.
The result? 21 concrete recommendations presented to the European Commission.

Want to discover how their insights influenced the discussion? Follow their journey on the European Citizens’ Panel on Tackling Hatred in Society.
▬▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

00:00 Introduction
01:57 The state of Hate in Society
03:36 Bringing people together
04:12 Going beyond prejudice
04:55 How hate can take lives
05:49 Accepting Differences
06:50 People’s recommendations

Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-264626

Follow us on:
-X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
-Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acymq8B02Yg

MIL OSI Video –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Agentic AI integration set to accelerate this year among Gen AI early adopters
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Press contact:
Antara Nandy
Tel.: +91 9674515119 
Email: antara.nandy@capgemini.com

Agentic AI integration set to accelerate this year among Gen AI early adopters
- Two in five organizations expect to achieve positive return on their AI investments in 1-3 years
- By embedding a targeted set of AI capabilities into core business processes such as procurement, customer service, supply chain optimization, and finance operations, organizations are already achieving significant cost efficiencies
Paris, June 18, 2025 – A Capgemini Research Institute report published today, ‘AI in action: How Gen AI and agentic AI redefine business operations,’ finds that AI is now driving positive returns on investment (ROI), with the average being nearly a 1.7 times return. The report highlights that this has now laid the groundwork for widespread agentic AI implementation. Among those early adopter organizations that have implemented generative AI (Gen AI), around 30% have already integrated AI agents into their business operations. Agentic AI projects are expected to rise by 48% by the end of 2025. The research also finds that one in five organizations already use AI agents or multi-agent systems, with Gen AI and agentic AI already delivering significant cost savings and operational efficiencies in business functions.

With businesses planning investments in AI infrastructure, some organizations had expressed concerns about achieving ROI from their large-scale AI and Gen AI rollouts. However, the report finds that these initial concerns are fading fast, as enterprises are now seeing substantial returns, with those surveyed achieving a 1.7 times ROI from their Gen AI and AI investments. As a result, enterprises are increasing their Gen AI investments, with 62% of those surveyed growing their investment in Gen AI this year as compared to last year.

“Gen AI and agentic AI can truly transform business services – enabling the shift from traditional cost-focused models towards an AI-enabled, value and insight driven business. Those that adopt an integrated approach with data and AI at its core will be set to achieve a truly connected, frictionless enterprise,” said Oliver Pfeil, CEO of Business Services at Capgemini and Member of the Group Executive Committee. “While the research suggests increased adoption of AI agents, organizations still face numerous barriers to implementation at scale. Adopting a pragmatic approach, fostering trust in AI, and creating a strong data foundation will go a long way in transforming business services into a strategic powerhouse to fuel any enterprise.”

Gen AI adoption has laid the groundwork for agentic AI implementation
Gen AI is expected to drive improvements in key metrics such as insight accuracy, productivity, time to market, and customer and employee experience over the next three years. As a result, more businesses are seeing the value of Gen AI, with 36% of organizations already implementing it, up from 20% last year. Among those that have adopted Gen AI at a limited or full scale, around 30% have integrated AI agents into their operations.
The total number of AI agent projects in an average organization are expected to grow 48% in 2025.

According to the report, AI agents are already delivering significant benefits across business functions, with agents and multi-agent systems reducing errors, improving customer satisfaction levels, increasing operational efficiency, and reducing operational costs. The top five industries adopting AI agents are high tech, industrial manufacturing, consumer products, energy & utilities, and pharma & healthcare.

Strong leadership and workforce transformation are key to faster returns
To achieve strong ROI on Gen AI investments, organizations should focus on developing strong leadership, governance, and AI readiness. According to the report, organizations who establish this foundation achieve ROI 45% faster. However, most enterprises currently lack this strong leadership, with only one in three leaders being a strong advocate of Gen AI.

In addition, organizations must also transform their workforce to derive business value cites the report. In the past two years, enterprises that introduced automation and AI-based use cases have been able to automate 30% of operational tasks, and expect to automate further in the next two years. As responsibilities evolve, organizational upskilling, reskilling, training and job role transitions will feature highly, with almost two-thirds of employees expecting to see their job descriptions altered by 2028. According to the report, employee interaction with AI agents is expected to increase by 2028, so training and upskilling will be needed to prepare workforces for effective human-AI collaboration.

Report Methodology
The Capgemini Research Institute conducted a survey of 1,607 executives from organizations with at least $1 billion in global revenue in the last financial year, who are responsible and accountable for one or more AI and gen AI initiatives in business operations. Executives were from supply chain & procurement, finance & accounting, people operations, customer operations, AI leadership and strategy, AI application development and maintenance, AI ethics, regulations, and compliance functions. The executives were from 15 countries across multiple regions and spanning 13 industries. The Institute also interviewed 15 senior executives leading business operations and AI implementation at their respective organizations from across sectors and countries.

About Capgemini
Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

About the Capgemini Research Institute
The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.

Visit us at https://www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute/

Attachments
- 06_18_Capgemini news alert_AI in Business Operations CRI report
- Final-Infographic-AI-in-Business-Operations
The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The Moskino Cinema Park filmed a TV series based on the film Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

The eight-part musical series “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears. It’s Just Beginning” based on the cult Soviet film was filmed in the Moskino cinema park. Some scenes for the project were filmed in the center of the capital. The work was supported by the Moscow film cluster and the Moskino film commission.

The story of three friends

Vladimir Menshov’s melodrama Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears was released in 1979 and won an Oscar. The new series also centers on the fate of three friends who come to Moscow in the early 2000s in search of love and happiness. However, viewers will see not just a modern version of the Soviet film, but a completely new story that promises to surprise everyone.

One of the main roles in the series was played by actor Andrei Maksimov, familiar to viewers from the images of villains in the projects “The Word of a Boy. Blood on the Asphalt” and “Fisher”. He not only appears on screen in a new role, but also sings.

“I am very interested in how the audience will perceive me, not only in a positive capacity, but also in a singing one. Playing a positive character is just as interesting as playing a negative one. In my opinion, we managed to create an ambiguous image of the hero, and I hope that the audience will relate to him. In the cinema park, I really enjoyed working in “Cowboy Town”. I think that on this site everyone can feel like a child and imagine themselves as some kind of character in a western. All the interiors are first-class, and this is delightful,” said Andrey Maksimov.

The main roles in the new series were also played by Ivan Yankovsky, Anastasia Talyzina, Maria Kamova, Tina Stoyilkovich, Ruzil Minekaev and other actors. The directors were Olga Dolmatovskaya and Zhora Kryzhovnikov.

According to Olga Dolmatovskaya, one of the main themes in the project is female friendship that has lasted through the years, where each heroine finds herself with age. Several scenes for the series were filmed in the Moskino cinema park on the sites of Cowboy Town and Provincial Towns of Europe. These sets made a huge impression with their detailed development, solidity and realism. In addition to the cinema park, filming took place on several sites in Moscow: on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment, Pushkinskaya Square and in the Ostankino television center. The creators of the series felt a big difference – it was much easier to organize filming on the equipped territory of the cinema park.

All approvals in record time

The filming of the final scene of the series took place on Tverskoy Boulevard. 200 dancers, 100 actors and 100 crew members took part in the work.

The most complex filming in the city center from an organizational point of view was coordinated in less than a month.

“The Moscow Film Commission managed to do the almost impossible – conduct mass filming without disrupting the main life processes in the city center. In record time, a series of complex approvals were made with the city departments of trade, transport, health care, housing and utilities, mass events, as well as the prefecture. As a result, it was possible not only to film all the necessary scenes, but also to create a wonderful image of Moscow in the project,” the press service of the Moscow film cluster noted.

Most of the filming took place near the Russian Academic Youth Theatre, the high-rise building on Kotelnicheskaya Embankment, the Ostankino TV Centre and Pushkinskaya Square, where one of the most striking episodes of the series was filmed, involving 200 dancers and more than 100 extras.

To recreate the atmosphere of the 2000s, the artists studied costumes and fashion of the time. More than 250 outfits were sewn for the filming, and about a thousand more complex stage costumes were found in clothing rental stores.

The project was created by the film companies Vodorod and NMG Studio with the support of the Internet Development Institute (ANO IRI). The series will be released in the online cinema Wink, and the TV premiere will take place on the STS TV channel.

How the first shift of the creative camp “Youth of Moscow” went The Moskino Cinema Park will host the “School of Vocals and Music” shift of the creative camp

The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. The first stage of development has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “Partisan Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “Petersburg Bar” and other spaces.

The Cinema Park is actively developing as a cultural and leisure venue. Exhibitions, master classes, lectures, meetings with famous actors and other events for Muscovites and guests of the capital are held here.

The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino Film Park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino Film Factory, the Moskino Cinema Network, the Film Commission and the Moskino Film Platform.

Get the latest news quicklythe city’s official telegram channel Moscow.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: A modern residential area will appear in Biryulyovo Vostochny under the KRT program

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Under the integrated territorial development program (ITD), three sites with a total area of almost 37 hectares will be reorganized in the Biryulevo Vostochnoye district. The corresponding draft resolution posted on the Moscow Government website. This was reported by Vladimir Efimov, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Urban Development Policy and Construction.

“The next project for the integrated development of territories in the south of Moscow involves the reorganization of three sites with a total area of 36.99 hectares. They are located on part of the former Lenino industrial zone in Biryulyovo Vostochny. A modern multifunctional residential quarter will be built here, including for the purposes of the renovation program. Three kindergartens for 850 children, an indoor skating rink with an area of at least six thousand square meters and other infrastructure facilities will be built next to the new houses. In total, almost 5.2 thousand jobs will be created within the framework of the project. Investments in the implementation are estimated at more than 140.6 billion rubles, and the annual budget effect will be over 2.5 million rubles,” said Vladimir Efimov.

The work will be carried out in the area of the intersection of Lipetskaya Street and 6th Radialnaya, not far from the territory of the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve.

“The inclusion of depressed areas of the Lenino industrial zone in the KRT program will allow them to be transformed and integrated into the overall fabric of the city. The project will also help speed up the renovation program in Biryulyovo Vostochny: 35.17 thousand square meters of housing will be built here for its implementation. This will provide new apartments for about 800 Muscovites. The KRT project also provides for the construction of modern treatment facilities and a traction substation for the Moscow Metro, which is necessary for the power supply of trains of the future Biryulevskaya line, which will pass through this area. The entire territory will be greened, improved, and modern streets and roads will appear on it,” he noted.

Vladislav Ovchinsky, Minister of the Moscow Government, Head of the Moscow Department of Urban Development Policy.

According to the KRT program, multifunctional city blocks are being created, where roads, comfortable housing and all the necessary infrastructure are being designed on the site of former industrial zones and inefficiently used areas. Currently, 302 integrated development projects with a total area of about 4.2 thousand hectares are at various stages of development and implementation in the capital. This work is being carried outon behalf of Sergei Sobyanin.

Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155135073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Capital chemical companies ramp up production

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

In the first four months of this year, the capital saw a more than 40 percent increase in the production of chemicals and products compared to the same period in 2024. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry Maxim Liksutov.

“Companies in the chemical sector produce critically important products that are widely used in the economy of the entire country. On behalf of Sergei Sobyanin, the city provides comprehensive support to plants, thanks to which the capital is actively developing its own technological competencies and increasing the production of high-quality goods, which helps strengthen the independence of the domestic industry. Thus, in the first four months of 2025, the production of chemical products in Moscow increased by 42.8 percent compared to the same period last year,” said Maxim Liksutov.

In particular, companies began to produce more paints, varnishes and other coating materials, as well as soaps, detergents, cleaning and polishing agents, perfumes and cosmetics.

“Today, more than 260 industrial companies are involved in the chemical complex of Moscow – these are high-tech enterprises with high social responsibility, which actively implement the principles of sustainable development and care about the environment. Manufacturers regularly improve the quality of their products, which are in demand not only in the capital, but also in other regions of the country, as well as abroad. This is confirmed by the growing volume of shipments. In January – April 2025, it exceeded 103 billion rubles – 38.2 percent more than last year’s figures,” said the Minister of the Moscow Government, head of the capital’s Department of Investment and Industrial Policy

Anatoly Garbuzov.

For example, the scientific and production enterprise “Neftekhimiya” produces polypropylene in Moscow – a key component for the production of medical products, reliable packaging, building materials, tableware, kitchen utensils, children’s toys, as well as fibers, threads, non-woven materials and stationery. Today, the plant’s product line includes about 60 different brands of polymer.

The medical and cosmetic company “Geltek-Medika” produces gels for medical research, as well as highly effective cosmetics for home care and hardware cosmetology.

A comfortable investment climate has been created in Moscow to develop production potential. More than 20 comprehensive support measures are available to enterprises. These include preferential investment loans, the opportunity to lease land from the city at a preferential rate when building an enterprise as part of large-scale investment projects, the assignment of special statuses, and other tools.

Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

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MIL OSI Russia News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Inside information: Morten Thorsrud to succeed Torbjörn Magnusson as CEO of Sampo Group

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Sampo plc, inside information, 18 June 2025 at 9:20 am EEST

Inside information: Morten Thorsrud to succeed Torbjörn Magnusson as CEO of Sampo Group

Torbjörn Magnusson, the CEO of Sampo Group, has informed the Sampo Board of his intention to retire from his role. Morten Thorsrud, the CEO of Sampo’s largest operating entity, If P&C, has today been appointed as his successor. The change in Group CEO will become effective on 1 October 2025, after which Magnusson will stay within the group as a Senior Advisor until 31 December 2025.

“I want to thank Torbjörn for his extraordinary contribution to the success of Sampo, both in leading the recent strategic transformation as Group CEO and in laying the foundations of our outstanding success in the Nordic P&C insurance market. He leaves the group in excellent condition and with a compelling set of opportunities.

The appointment of If’s CEO Morten Thorsrud as Group CEO represents continuity and reflects our commitment to operational excellence. Morten, who has been within the group for 23 years, has taken If’s performance to new heights as CEO. I am delighted to have been able to appoint Torbjörn’s successor from a strong set of high-quality internal candidates”, says Antti Mäkinen, Chair of the Board of Sampo plc.

“With the strategic transformation of Sampo complete and the business in excellent shape, I have come to the conclusion that it is time for me to hand over to the next generation of leadership. Together with my colleagues, we have achieved more than I could have ever imagined when I joined the group in 1999. Morten has played a crucial role in the success of If P&C and I am confident he will excel as Group CEO of Sampo”, says Torbjörn Magnusson, CEO of Sampo Group.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead Sampo. As CEO of If, I have continued our efforts on being the most caring and customer centric P&C insurer and on delivering operational excellence through extensive investments in our digital capabilities. I intend to bring the same energy to my work as CEO of Sampo Group”, says Morten Thorsrud, Appointed CEO of Sampo Group and CEO of If P&C

Further information about remuneration related matters can be found on www.sampo.com.

SAMPO PLC

For more information, please contact

Sami Taipalus
Head of Investor Relations
tel. +358 10 516 0030

Ainomaija Forsell
Media Relations
tel. +358 10 514 4217

Appendix:
Curriculum Vitae of Morten Thorsrud

Distribution:

Nasdaq Helsinki
Nasdaq Stockholm
Nasdaq Copenhagen
London Stock Exchange
FIN-FSA
The principal media
www.sampo.com

Appendix: Curriculum Vitae

Morten Thorsrud
Born 1971

Education

Norwegian School of Management
– Master of Business and Economics 1996

Career

If P&C Insurance Holding Ltd
– President and CEO 2019-

Sampo plc
– Member of the Sampo Group Executive Committee 2006-

If P&C Insurance Ltd (publ)
– Group Executive Vice President, Head of BA Private 2013-2019
– Head of BA Industrial 2005-2013
– Head of Industrial Underwriting and Claims 2004-2005
– Head of Corporate Strategy 2002-2004

McKinsey & Company, Inc. Norway/Europe
– Associate Partner 2001-2002
– Engagement Manager 1999-2001
– Associate 1997-1999
– Junior Associate 1996-1997

Positions of trust

Topdanmark
– Topdanmark Forsikring A/S: Deputy Chairman 2024–
– Topdanmark A/S: Board Member 2019-

Hastings Group
– Board Member 2020-

Euronext
– Member of the Supervisory Board 2019-

Finance Norway (Finans Norge)
– Member of the Executive Committee, 2019-
– Other roles, 2013-2019

The MIL Network –

June 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future so uncertain

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone beyond his initial aim of destroying Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons. He has called on the Iranian people to rise up against their dictatorial Islamic regime and ostensibly transform Iran along the lines of Israeli interests.

United States President Donald Trump is now weighing possible military action in support of Netanyahu’s goal and asked for Iran’s total surrender.

If the US does get involved, it wouldn’t be the first time it’s tried to instigate regime change by military means in the Middle East. The US invaded Iraq in 2003 and backed a NATO operation in Libya in 2011, toppling the regimes of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, respectively.

In both cases, the interventions backfired, causing long-term instability in both countries and in the broader region.

Could the same thing happen in Iran if the regime is overthrown?

As I describe in my book, Iran Rising: The Survival and Future of the Islamic Republic, Iran is a pluralist society with a complex history of rival groups trying to assert their authority. A democratic transition would be difficult to achieve.

The overthrow of the shah

The Iranian Islamic regime assumed power in the wake of the pro-democracy popular uprising of 1978–79, which toppled Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s pro-Western monarchy.

Until this moment, Iran had a long history of monarchical rule dating back 2,500 years. Mohammad Reza, the last shah, was the head of the Pahlavi dynasty, which came to power in 1925.

In 1953, the shah was forced into exile under the radical nationalist and reformist impulse of the democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. He was shortly returned to his throne through a CIA-orchestrated coup.

Despite all his nationalist, pro-Western, modernising efforts, the shah could not shake off the indignity of having been re-throned with the help of a foreign power.

The revolution against him 25 years later was spearheaded by pro-democracy elements. But it was made up of many groups, including liberalists, communists and Islamists, with no uniting leader.

The Shia clerical group (ruhaniyat), led by the Shah’s religious and political opponent, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, proved to be best organised and capable of providing leadership to the revolution. Khomeini had been in exile from the early 1960s (at first in Iraq and later in France), yet he and his followers held considerable sway over the population, especially in traditional rural areas.

When US President Jimmy Carter’s administration found it could no longer support the shah, he left the country and went into exile in January 1979. This enabled Khomeini to return to Iran to a tumultuous welcome.

Birth of the Islamic Republic

In the wake of the uprising, Khomeini and his supporters, including the current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, abolished the monarchy and transformed Iran to a cleric-dominated Islamic Republic, with anti-US and anti-Israel postures. He ruled the country according to his unique vision of Islam.

Khomeini denounced the US as a “Great Satan” and Israel as an illegal usurper of the Palestinian lands – Jerusalem, in particular. He also declared a foreign policy of “neither east, nor west” but pro-Islamic, and called for the spread of the Iranian revolution in the region.

Khomeini not only changed Iran, but also challenged the US as the dominant force in shaping the regional order. And the US lost one of the most important pillars of its influence in the oil-rich and strategically important Persian Gulf region.

Fear of hostile American or Israeli (or combined) actions against the Islamic Republic became the focus of Iran’s domestic and foreign policy behaviour.

A new supreme leader takes power

Khomeini died in 1989. His successor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ruled Iran largely in the same jihadi (combative) and ijtihadi (pragmatic) ways, steering the country through many domestic and foreign policy challenges.

Khamenei fortified the regime with an emphasis on self-sufficiency, a stronger defence capability and a tilt towards the east – Russia and China – to counter the US and its allies. He has stood firm in opposition to the US and its allies – Israel, in particular. And he has shown flexibility when necessary to ensure the survival and continuity of the regime.

Khamenei wields enormous constitutional power and spiritual authority.

He has presided over the building of many rule-enforcing instruments of state power, including the expansion of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary wing, the Basij, revolutionary committees, and Shia religious networks.

The Shia concept of martyrdom and loyalty to Iran as a continuous sovereign country for centuries goes to the heart of his actions, as well as his followers.

Khamenei and his rule enforcers, along with an elected president and National Assembly, are fully cognisant that if the regime goes down, they will face the same fate. As such, they cannot be expected to hoist the white flag and surrender to Israel and the US easily.

However, in the event of the regime falling under the weight of a combined internal uprising and external pressure, it raises the question: what is the alternative?

The return of the shah?

Many Iranians are discontented with the regime, but there is no organised opposition under a nationally unifying leader.

The son of the former shah, the crown prince Reza Pahlavi, has been gaining some popularity. He has been speaking out on X in the last few days, telling his fellow Iranians:

The end of the Islamic Republic is the end of its 46-year war against the Iranian nation. The regime’s apparatus of repression is falling apart. All it takes now is a nationwide uprising to put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

Since the deposition of his father, he has lived in exile in the US. As such, he has been tainted by his close association with Washington and Jerusalem, especially Netanyahu.

If he were to return to power – likely through the assistance of the US – he would face the same problem of political legitimacy as his father did.

What does the future hold?

Iran has never had a long tradition of democracy. It experienced brief instances of liberalism in the first half of the 20th century, but every attempt at making it durable resulted in disarray and a return to authoritarian rule.

Also, the country has rarely been free of outside interventionism, given its vast hydrocarbon riches and strategic location. It’s also been prone to internal fragmentation, given its ethnic and religious mix.

The Shia Persians make up more than half of the population, but the country has a number of Sunni ethnic minorities, such as Kurds, Azaris, Balochis and Arabs. They have all had separatist tendencies.

Iran has historically been held together by centralisation rather than diffusion of power.

Should the Islamic regime disintegrate in one form or another, it would be an mistake to expect a smooth transfer of power or transition to democratisation within a unified national framework.

At the same time, the Iranian people are highly cultured and creative, with a very rich and proud history of achievements and civilisation.

They are perfectly capable of charting their own destiny as long as there aren’t self-seeking foreign hands in the process – something they have rarely experienced.

Amin Saikal does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Iran’s long history of revolution, defiance and outside interference – and why its future so uncertain – https://theconversation.com/irans-long-history-of-revolution-defiance-and-outside-interference-and-why-its-future-so-uncertain-259270

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China to set up international operation center for digital RMB

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

China’s central bank governor Pan Gongsheng said on Wednesday that the country will establish an international operation center for the digital RMB.

The center aims to promote the internationalization of the digital currency and the development of financial market services while supporting innovation in digital finance, Pan said at the Lujiazui Forum held in east China’s Shanghai.

The initiative is part of a package of eight new measures announced by Pan that will be implemented in Shanghai, China’s financial hub.

Pan said a transaction reporting repository for the interbank market will also be established to collect transaction data and analyze activity across sub-markets such as bonds, currencies and derivatives, supporting macroeconomic policymaking and financial market supervision.

A personal credit reporting agency will be established to provide financial institutions with diversified and tailored credit products, further improving the country’s social credit system.

A pilot program for offshore trade finance reform will be launched in the Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone to support the city’s offshore trade development through innovative business rules, Pan said.

Other measures include the development of free trade offshore bonds to expand financing channels for companies, and the optimization of the free trade account system to facilitate cross-border trade and investment for enterprises.

In addition, the package includes the rollout of innovative structural monetary policy tools in Shanghai, and joint efforts with the country’s securities regulator to advance RMB foreign exchange futures trading, according to Pan.

MIL OSI China News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: An authorization to register an amendment of the article of association of Urbo bankas UAB has been received

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Urbo bankas UAB (hereinafter – “the Bank”), company code 112027077, address: Konstitucijos pr.18B, Vilnius.

The Bank informs that the Financial Market Supervisory Committee of the Bank of Lithuania, by its decision of 17 June 2025, allowed the Bank to register the amendments of the Bank’s articles of association, related with the increase of the authorized capital to EUR 50,988,758.50, as approved by the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on 21 March 2025.

For more information please contact: Julius Ivaška, Head of Business Division, tel. +370 601 04 453, e-mail media@urbo.lt

The MIL Network –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: CEA-Leti and Soitec Announce Strategic Partnership to Leverage FD-SOI for Enhanced Security of Integrated Circuits
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CEA-Leti and Soitec Announce Strategic Partnership to Leverage FD-SOI for Enhanced Security of Integrated Circuits

Focus Is on Protecting Critical Markets Such as
Automotive, Industrial IoT, and Secure Infrastructure

GRENOBLE, France – June 18, 2025 – CEA-Leti and Soitec today announced a strategic partnership to enhance the cybersecurity of integrated circuits (ICs) through the innovative use of fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FD-SOI) technologies. This collaboration aims to position FD-SOI as a foundational platform for secure electronics by leveraging and extending its inherent resistance to physical attacks.
At the heart of the initiative is a joint effort to experimentally validate and augment the security benefits of FD-SOI—from the substrate level up to circuit design. The project aims to deliver concrete data, practical demonstrations, and roadmap guidance to meet the surging cybersecurity demands in critical markets such as automotive, industrial IoT, and secure infrastructure.
Combining Expertise to Secure the Future of Electronics
The partnership, which will utilize GlobalFoundries’ advanced chip manufacturing capabilities, will address a growing need for trusted components in embedded and cyber-physical systems—systems that must deliver security services and withstand both software- and hardware-level attacks. With FD-SOI’s proven advantages against laser fault injection (LFI) attacks due to its thin-film architecture and channel isolation, the technology presents a compelling foundation for next-generation secure IC design.
Key goals of the partnership include:
- Highlighting FD-SOI’s existing strengths in cybersecurity.
- Co-developing innovations across the substrate-design stack to boost physical robustness and meet security requirements in automotive and other embedded systems.
- Demonstrating empirical security data to reinforce FD-SOI’s credibility in certification contexts such as SESIP and Common Criteria.
Context: Rising Threats, Rising Demand
“In an era marked by increasing attacks on connected systems and autonomous vehicles, the need for embedded hardware capable of resisting physical tampering has never been greater,” said CEA-Leti CTO Jean-René Lequepeys. “FD-SOI’s unique combination of performance, energy efficiency, and attack resistance offers an ideal answer for industries that demand both trust and efficiency. This project will leverage research results from the FAMES Pilot Line.”
FD-SOI’s critical benefits include:
- Physical attack resistance, enabled by electrical isolation between the channel and substrate.
- Power-performance optimization, vital for battery-constrained applications like automotive ECUs and industrial sensors.
- Security design enablement, allowing tailored countermeasures such as fault detection and isolation of sensitive circuit domains.
Long-Term Vision: Toward a New Cyber-Substrate
While the initial phase focuses on leveraging existing FD-SOI capabilities, the project sets the stage for long-term innovation. The envisioned next-generation cyber-substrate would expand upon FD-SOI’s strengths by incorporating:
- Enhanced protection against backside and invasive physical attacks.
- Embedded anti-tamper features and physical unclonable functions (PUFs) for hardware fingerprinting.
- Dynamic response mechanisms to detect and counter emerging threats.
This future-oriented work will address both cyber and supply-chain vulnerabilities—making FD-SOI not only more secure, but also more indispensable.
Soitec’s Senior Executive Vice President in charge of Innovation and Chief Technology Officer Christophe Maleville said: “This partnership with CEA-Leti reflects our strategic ambition to position FD-SOI as a reference platform for secure and energy-efficient electronics. By combining our substrate innovation capabilities with CEA-Leti’s research excellence, we aim to demonstrate the full potential of FD-SOI in addressing today’s most pressing security challenges. Together, we are paving the way for a new generation of trusted technologies that are essential to the future of connected systems.”
About CEA-Leti (France)
CEA-Leti, a technology research institute at CEA, is a global leader in miniaturization technologies enabling smart, energy-efficient and secure solutions for industry. Founded in 1967, CEA-Leti pioneers micro-& nanotechnologies, tailoring differentiating applicative solutions for global companies, SMEs and startups. CEA-Leti tackles critical challenges in healthcare, energy and digital migration. From sensors to data processing and computing solutions, CEA-Leti’s multidisciplinary teams deliver solid expertise, leveraging world-class pre-industrialization facilities. With a staff of more than 2,000 talents, a portfolio of 3,200 patents, 11,000 sq. meters of cleanroom space and a clear IP policy, the institute is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley, Brussels and Tokyo. CEA-Leti has launched 76 startups and is a member of the Carnot Institutes network. Follow us on www.leti-cea.com and @CEA_Leti.

Technological expertise
CEA has a key role in transferring scientific knowledge and innovation from research to industry. This high-level technological research is carried out in particular in electronic and integrated systems, from microscale to nanoscale. It has a wide range of industrial applications in the fields of transport, health, safety and telecommunications, contributing to the creation of high-quality and competitive products.

For more information: www.cea.fr/english

About Soitec
Soitec (Euronext – Tech Leaders), a world leader in innovative semiconductor materials, has been developing cutting-edge products delivering both technological performance and energy efficiency for over 30 years. From its global headquarters in France, Soitec is expanding internationally with its unique solutions, and generated sales of 0.9 billion Euros in fiscal year 2024-2025. Soitec occupies a key position in the semiconductor value chain, serving three main strategic markets: Mobile Communications, Automotive and Industrial, and Edge and Cloud AI. The company relies on the talent and diversity of more than 2,200 employees, representing 50 different nationalities, working at its sites in Europe, the United States and Asia. Nearly 4,300 patents have been registered by Soitec.
Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.
For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on LinkedIn and X: @Soitec_Official
Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.
For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on LinkedIn and X: @Soitec_Official

Press Contact

CEA-Leti
Sarah-Lyle Dampoux
sldampoux@mahoneylyle.com
+33 6 74 93 23 47

Soitec
Relations Media : media@soitec.com
Relations Investisseurs : investors@soitec.com

Attachment
- 20250618_PR_CEA-Leti_Soitec_FDSOI_SecurityIntegratedCircuits
The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: CEA-Leti and Soitec Announce Strategic Partnership to Leverage FD-SOI for Enhanced Security of Integrated Circuits
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CEA-Leti and Soitec Announce Strategic Partnership to Leverage FD-SOI for Enhanced Security of Integrated Circuits

Focus Is on Protecting Critical Markets Such as
Automotive, Industrial IoT, and Secure Infrastructure

GRENOBLE, France – June 18, 2025 – CEA-Leti and Soitec today announced a strategic partnership to enhance the cybersecurity of integrated circuits (ICs) through the innovative use of fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FD-SOI) technologies. This collaboration aims to position FD-SOI as a foundational platform for secure electronics by leveraging and extending its inherent resistance to physical attacks.
At the heart of the initiative is a joint effort to experimentally validate and augment the security benefits of FD-SOI—from the substrate level up to circuit design. The project aims to deliver concrete data, practical demonstrations, and roadmap guidance to meet the surging cybersecurity demands in critical markets such as automotive, industrial IoT, and secure infrastructure.
Combining Expertise to Secure the Future of Electronics
The partnership, which will utilize GlobalFoundries’ advanced chip manufacturing capabilities, will address a growing need for trusted components in embedded and cyber-physical systems—systems that must deliver security services and withstand both software- and hardware-level attacks. With FD-SOI’s proven advantages against laser fault injection (LFI) attacks due to its thin-film architecture and channel isolation, the technology presents a compelling foundation for next-generation secure IC design.
Key goals of the partnership include:
- Highlighting FD-SOI’s existing strengths in cybersecurity.
- Co-developing innovations across the substrate-design stack to boost physical robustness and meet security requirements in automotive and other embedded systems.
- Demonstrating empirical security data to reinforce FD-SOI’s credibility in certification contexts such as SESIP and Common Criteria.
Context: Rising Threats, Rising Demand
“In an era marked by increasing attacks on connected systems and autonomous vehicles, the need for embedded hardware capable of resisting physical tampering has never been greater,” said CEA-Leti CTO Jean-René Lequepeys. “FD-SOI’s unique combination of performance, energy efficiency, and attack resistance offers an ideal answer for industries that demand both trust and efficiency. This project will leverage research results from the FAMES Pilot Line.”
FD-SOI’s critical benefits include:
- Physical attack resistance, enabled by electrical isolation between the channel and substrate.
- Power-performance optimization, vital for battery-constrained applications like automotive ECUs and industrial sensors.
- Security design enablement, allowing tailored countermeasures such as fault detection and isolation of sensitive circuit domains.
Long-Term Vision: Toward a New Cyber-Substrate
While the initial phase focuses on leveraging existing FD-SOI capabilities, the project sets the stage for long-term innovation. The envisioned next-generation cyber-substrate would expand upon FD-SOI’s strengths by incorporating:
- Enhanced protection against backside and invasive physical attacks.
- Embedded anti-tamper features and physical unclonable functions (PUFs) for hardware fingerprinting.
- Dynamic response mechanisms to detect and counter emerging threats.
This future-oriented work will address both cyber and supply-chain vulnerabilities—making FD-SOI not only more secure, but also more indispensable.
Soitec’s Senior Executive Vice President in charge of Innovation and Chief Technology Officer Christophe Maleville said: “This partnership with CEA-Leti reflects our strategic ambition to position FD-SOI as a reference platform for secure and energy-efficient electronics. By combining our substrate innovation capabilities with CEA-Leti’s research excellence, we aim to demonstrate the full potential of FD-SOI in addressing today’s most pressing security challenges. Together, we are paving the way for a new generation of trusted technologies that are essential to the future of connected systems.”
About CEA-Leti (France)
CEA-Leti, a technology research institute at CEA, is a global leader in miniaturization technologies enabling smart, energy-efficient and secure solutions for industry. Founded in 1967, CEA-Leti pioneers micro-& nanotechnologies, tailoring differentiating applicative solutions for global companies, SMEs and startups. CEA-Leti tackles critical challenges in healthcare, energy and digital migration. From sensors to data processing and computing solutions, CEA-Leti’s multidisciplinary teams deliver solid expertise, leveraging world-class pre-industrialization facilities. With a staff of more than 2,000 talents, a portfolio of 3,200 patents, 11,000 sq. meters of cleanroom space and a clear IP policy, the institute is based in Grenoble, France, and has offices in Silicon Valley, Brussels and Tokyo. CEA-Leti has launched 76 startups and is a member of the Carnot Institutes network. Follow us on www.leti-cea.com and @CEA_Leti.

Technological expertise
CEA has a key role in transferring scientific knowledge and innovation from research to industry. This high-level technological research is carried out in particular in electronic and integrated systems, from microscale to nanoscale. It has a wide range of industrial applications in the fields of transport, health, safety and telecommunications, contributing to the creation of high-quality and competitive products.

For more information: www.cea.fr/english

About Soitec
Soitec (Euronext – Tech Leaders), a world leader in innovative semiconductor materials, has been developing cutting-edge products delivering both technological performance and energy efficiency for over 30 years. From its global headquarters in France, Soitec is expanding internationally with its unique solutions, and generated sales of 0.9 billion Euros in fiscal year 2024-2025. Soitec occupies a key position in the semiconductor value chain, serving three main strategic markets: Mobile Communications, Automotive and Industrial, and Edge and Cloud AI. The company relies on the talent and diversity of more than 2,200 employees, representing 50 different nationalities, working at its sites in Europe, the United States and Asia. Nearly 4,300 patents have been registered by Soitec.
Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.
For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on LinkedIn and X: @Soitec_Official
Soitec, SmartSiC™ and Smart Cut™ are registered trademarks of Soitec.
For more information: https://www.soitec.com/en/ and follow us on LinkedIn and X: @Soitec_Official

Press Contact

CEA-Leti
Sarah-Lyle Dampoux
sldampoux@mahoneylyle.com
+33 6 74 93 23 47

Soitec
Relations Media : media@soitec.com
Relations Investisseurs : investors@soitec.com

Attachment
- 20250618_PR_CEA-Leti_Soitec_FDSOI_SecurityIntegratedCircuits
The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Novian’s consolidated revenue increased 2.4% in 2024 to EUR 38.9 million
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

The Novian IT group’s consolidated revenue in 2024 amounted to EUR 38.9 million and grew 2.4% compared to 2023. The group’s EBITDA for the 12-month period was EUR 2.57 million and was 2.1 times the previous year’s figure. The operating profit for last year was EUR 1.5 million, or 14.3 times the amount in 2023.

Novian last year earned most of its revenue – 59% – from activities related to IT solutions, with another 24% coming from software development and 17% from IT services. Its companies conducted operations in 37 countries, earning 77% of their revenue in Lithuania, 12% elsewhere in Europe, and 11% in other countries of the world.

“We are pleased with last year’s results, which again show that the success of an IT business depends not just on experience and the application of relevant innovations but also work together with clients to create innovations. I am grateful to the team, which has contributed to this,” says Tomas Vitkus, the CEO of the Novian group.

He says that, looking forward, the priority areas for Novian’s work include not only projects for national institutions and businesses, but also defence projects, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing solutions to address the challenges of climate change, and potential applications of quantum technologies.

“In the context of the digital era, with Lithuania and Europe actively considering ways to strengthen their defences, advanced technological and programming solutions that leverage artificial intelligence and other innovations should be among the top priorities for the country and the region. We are confident that Novian’s experience and know-how can be useful, and we are ready to contribute to projects in this area,” Vitkus says.

In the area of software services, the past year stood out not only for the creation of modern national-level information systems, but also for advanced defence, aviation and space projects carried out together with European partners.

Novian has undertaken a wide range of defence projects since as far back as 2004. In 2024 alone, Novian took part in a total of seven defence projects funded by the European Commission. This year it is continuing four such projects: PEONEER (implementing Activity Based Intelligence to complement geo-spatial activities), SESIOP (enhancing the interoperability of military Air C2 systems and integrating Single European Sky rules), FIRES 2 (developing next generation ammunition), and ODINS’ EYE 2 (developing a European space-based missile early warning system).

Another project currently underway is HIPSTER, which is developing an innovative software solution for effectively identifying, analysing and resolving hybrid threats. Using advanced OSINT, SocMINT, NLP, and AI technologies, HIPSTER will automatically detect threats and deploy countermeasures to prevent potential damage. The project is linked to EU initiatives.

“In the area of IT solutions and services, last year stood out for new public sector cloud computing architecture and procurement consulting projects in African countries. We also expanded our business client portfolio by offering IT infrastructure services and introduced high-performance computing solutions for weather forecasting and climate change modelling,” notes Gytis Umantas, the CEO of Novian Technologies. He says the company has played an active role too in creating a quantum technology ecosystem in Lithuania. Early this year, guidelines for the development of quantum technologies in Lithuania were presented, setting out the priorities and opportunities in that field.

Also noteworthy with regard to innovations is Novian’s membership of a consortium for implementing the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) International Science and Technology Initiatives Programme (MISTI) in Lithuania. The consortium signed a cooperation agreement with MIT in early 2025. In the course of this project, Novian aims to expand the uses of AI-related innovations, to create technologies for increasing public safety and resilience and for using high-performance computing to combat climate change, and to develop quantum technologies.

According to an independent valuation carried out by the financial consultancy Deloitte Verslo Konsultacijos, the fair value of the Novian group at the end of 2024 was almost EUR 22 million and was 11.7% higher than at the end of 2023. This figure reflects not only the financial performance of the group’s companies, but also the estimated one-off impact that could arise if there is an adverse court decision regarding the contract for a project undertaken by the group company Novian Systems to provide modernisation services for the Central Public Procurement Information System.

The Novian group consists of Novian Technologies, Novian Systems and Novian Pro in Lithuania, Novian Eesti of Estonia, Andmevara of Moldova, Zissor of Norway, and Novian Rwanda of Rwanda. The Novian group’s results for 2024 are based on the audited results of Novian Technologies, Novian Systems, Novian Pro, and Zissor, and the unaudited results of the group’s other companies. The Novian group is owned by INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses.

The person authorized to provide additional information:
Kazimieras Tonkūnas
INVL Technology Managing Partner
E-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt

Attachment
- Novian 2024 results
The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Business aviation leader Luxaviation and Haffner Energy join forces to accelerate SAF production and promotion
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Business aviation leader Luxaviation and Haffner Energy join forces to accelerate SAF production and promotion

Luxaviation signals interest in active role in SAF-dedicated entity SAF Zero

Vitry-le-François, France / Luxembourg (June 18, 2025, 8:00 am CEST) –

SAF Zero, a Haffner Energy initiative, is gaining momentum: Luxaviation Group, a leading global operator in the business aviation sector, is exploring an active role in the new entity, both companies announced today at the International Paris Air Show. Luxaviation potential involvement could take the form of cash funding to finance initial development activities, support in the strategic definition and global visibility as well as offtake agreements in relevant SAF Zero projects such as Paris-Vatry SAF.
SAF Zero is dedicated to fast-tracking the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by establishing an investment and project development platform that brings key stakeholders together. Combining Haffner Energy’s proprietary technologies and Luxaviation’s experience and strategic positioning in the aviation sector, SAF Zero is to finance and develop industrial SAF production projects. Operating under an exclusive license, SAF Zero will supply Haffner Energy’s technologies to third parties under license agreements, designing, delivering and potentially operating key equipment based on these technologies.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Luxaviation, a powerful partner working alongside us to position SAF Zero as a cornerstone of Europe’s clean aviation strategy ,” said Philippe Haffner, co-founder and CEO of Haffner Energy.
France-based Haffner Energy relies on its 32-year experience to design, manufacture, supply, license, and operate proprietary disruptive clean fuels solutions, including critical technologies for pathway-agnostic SAF production, using all types of residual biomass and municipal waste. The company has already announced the development of a number of SAF projects, notably Paris-Vatry SAF in France, where full scale production is expected to be reached by 2030 when the next stage of the European SAF mandate kicks in.
As a founding partner of SAF Zero, Haffner Energy will provide engineering support and supply of critical equipment as needed for the projects developed by SAF Zero.
“At Luxaviation, we believe that the future of aviation must be sustainable, and that requires bold partnerships and innovative solutions. Our collaboration with Haffner Energy and our interest in SAF Zero reflect our commitment to accelerating the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel and driving meaningful change across the industry. By combining our operational expertise with Haffner Energy’s cutting-edge technology, we are taking a decisive step toward a cleaner, more responsible future for aviation,” said Patrick Hansen, CEO of Luxaviation Group.
Luxaviation operates one of the largest fleets of private aircraft worldwide. It is actively committed to the decarbonization of aviation through a three-pronged strategy: improving fuel efficiency; reducing emissions by actively increasing SAF use and electrification of ground operations; buying offsets for remaining GHG emissions. Since 2021, Luxaviation’s annual sustainability report tracks progress against targets. In 2023, Luxaviation launched “Go-to-Zero” Investment Fund to foster SAF production.
Both Luxaviation and Haffner Energy are members of Project SkyPower, an international CEO-led initiative dedicated to accelerating the development and adoption of SAF.

About Haffner Energy
Haffner Energy designs, manufactures, supplies, and operates biofuel and hydrogen solutions using biomass residues. Its innovative, patented thermolysis technology produces Sustainable Aviation Fuel, as well as renewable gas, hydrogen, and methanol. The company also contributes to regenerating the planet through the co-production of biogenic CO2 and biochar. A company co-founded 32 years ago by Marc and Philippe Haffner, Haffner Energy has been working from the outset to decarbonize industry and all forms of mobility, as well as governments and local communities. More information is available at www.haffner-energy.com.

About Luxaviation Group
Headquartered in Luxembourg, Luxaviation Group comprises top-of-the line aviation brands, including Luxaviation, Starspeed, ExecuJet and Paragon, operating across five continents. Services include aircraft management for private and commercial aircraft, private air charter services, and the management and operation of VIP passenger terminals throughout an FBO network of over 110+ facilities worldwide. Luxaviation Group is actively committed to the decarbonization of aviation by supporting the development of sustainable fuels and green infrastructure. More information is available at www.luxaviation.com.

Media relations
Haffner Energy
Laetitia Mailhes
laetitia.mailhes@haffner-energy.com
+33 (0)6 07 12 96 76

Luxaviation Group
Juliane Thiessen
Juliane.thiessen@luxaviation.com
+41 76 356 8251

Investor relations
Haffner Energy
investisseurs@haffner-energy.com

Attachment
- PR_Luxaviation_HE
The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI: Mercanis Secures Over $20 Million in Series A Round
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Berlin, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
- The company receives fresh capital from new investors Partech and AVP, as well as from existing investors.
- Mercanis enables over 40% process cost savings and supports clients such as BASF-Coatings, GASAG, Goldbeck, Wilson, and Brose.
- The funds will be used to further develop Agentic AI and support the upcoming expansion plans, including into the U.S.
Berlin, June 18, 2025 – In its latest Series A round, Mercanis, a Berlin-based startup for Agentic-AI procurement solutions, has raised over $20 million. The round was led by new investors Partech and AVP, with additional funding from existing investors, including Signals.VC, Capmont Technology, and Speedinvest. Well-known business angels like Dr. Ulrich Piepel, Dr. Marcell Vollmer, Mirko Novakovic (Instana & Dash0), and Victor Jacobsson (Klarna) continue their support for Mercanis.
The additional capital will be used to further strengthen the company’s leadership position in Agentic-AI and accelerate its international expansion, including entry into the U.S. market.

Fabian Heinrich, CEO and Co-Founder of Mercanis, states: “The trust placed in us by both long-standing and new investors is not only a powerful endorsement of our mission, but also a driving force behind our ongoing commitment to excellence. With this funding, we can expand our AI solution and accelerate our international expansion – particularly into the U.S. In times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, our technology empowers companies far beyond Germany to build more resilient procurement operations that safeguard their supply chains and protect their bottom line.”

Next-generation AI-powered procurement
Founded in 2020 by Fabian Heinrich and Moritz Weiermann, Mercanis aims to reshape procurement processes with its Agentic-AI Procurement Suite. The cloud-based platform combines procurement, supplier management, and contract management. Intelligent agents autonomously handle operational tasks, while AI continuously analyzes procurement data to uncover savings opportunities, enhance strategic decisions, and drive measurable results—delivering over 40% process savings, a 2.5x increase in efficiency, and a 12x return on investment.

“Mercanis has transformed the way we manage suppliers and execute procurement projects. What used to take days now takes only hours. The automation and transparency help us act faster and make better decisions – especially when multiple stakeholders are involved. It’s a must-have for any procurement team looking to modernize,” says Uwe Kreplin, Head of Procurement at GASAG.

In addition to GASAG, Mercanis also counts BASF-Coatings, Goldbeck, Wilson, and Brose among its clients.

Within just a few years, Mercanis has established itself as a trusted partner to multinational firms, with impressive traction across organizations now procuring billions through the platform,” says Philippe Collombel, Founding and General Partner at Partech.

“We are particularly impressed by the strength of their product and its ability to drive adoption at scale,” adds Magda Poslusny, Principal at Partech. “By automating key procurement processes, Mercanis not only boosts operational efficiency but also drives meaningful cost savings by engaging a broader supplier base. We are confident Mercanis is on track to become a category leader in procurement.”

About Mercanis:
Mercanis offers an Agentic-Ai Procurement Suite that covers the entire procurement process – from supplier selection to contract signing. The solution includes four key modules: Spend Analytics, Sourcing & Request Processes (RFx), Supplier Management (SRM), and Contract Management. With the integrated Mercu AI Co-Pilot, repetitive tasks like supplier discovery, risk detection, intake management and offer comparison are automated, leading to significant efficiency improvements and over 40% process savings. Founded in 2020 by Fabian Heinrich and Moritz Weiermann, Mercanis supports prominent clients like BASF-Coatings, GASAG, Goldbeck, Wilson, and Brose in digitizing their procurement processes. The company is based in Berlin and currently employs over 40 people.

About Partech:
Partech is a global tech investment firm headquartered in Paris, with offices in Berlin, Dakar, Dubai, Nairobi, and San Francisco. Partech brings together capital, operational experience, and strategic support to back entrepreneurs from seed to growth stage. Born in San Francisco 40 years ago, today Partech manages €2.5B AUM and a current portfolio of 220 companies, spread across 40 countries and 4 continents.

Attachment
- Founders Mercanis
The MIL Network –
June 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Are Israel’s actions in Iran illegal? Could it be called self-defence? An international law expert explains
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University

Israel’s major military operation against Iran has targeted its nuclear program, including its facilities and scientists, as well as its military leadership.

In response, the United Nations Security Council has quickly convened an emergency sitting. There, the Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon defended Israel’s actions as a “preventative strike” carried out with “precision, purpose, and the most advanced intelligence”. It aimed, he said, to:

dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme, eliminate the architects of its terror and aggression and neutralise the regime’s ability to follow through on its repeated public promise to destroy the state of Israel.

So, what does international law say about self-defence? And were Israel’s actions illegal under international law?

When is self-defence allowed?

Article 2.4 of the UN charter states:

All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

There are only two exceptions:
1. when the UN Security Council authorises force, and
2. when a state acts in self-defence.
This “inherent right of individual or collective self-defence”, as article 51 of the UN charter puts it, persists until the Security Council acts to restore international peace and security.

So what’s ‘self-defence’ actually mean?

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has consistently interpreted self-defence narrowly.

In many cases, it has rejected arguments from states such as the United States, Uganda and Israel that have sought to promote a more expansive interpretation of self-defence.

The 9/11 attacks marked a turning point. The UN Security Council affirmed in resolutions 1368 and 1373 that the right to self-defence extends to defending against attacks by non-state actors, such as terrorist groups. The US, invoking this right, launched its military action in Afghanistan.

The classic understanding of self-defence – that it’s justified when a state responds reactively to an actual, armed attack – was regarded as being too restrictive in the age of missiles, cyberattacks and terrorism.

This helped give rise to the idea of using force before an imminent attack, in anticipatory self-defence.

The threshold for anticipatory self-defence is widely seen by scholars as high. It requires what’s known as “imminence”. In other words, this is the “last possible window of opportunity” to act to stop an unavoidable attack.

As set out by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2005:

as long as the threatened attack is imminent, no other means would deflect it and the action is proportionate, this would meet the accepted interpretation of self defence under article 51.

As international law expert Donald Rothwell points out, the legitimacy of anticipatory self-defence hinges on factual scrutiny and strict criteria, balancing urgency, legality and accountability.

However, the lines quickly blurred

In 2002, the US introduced a “pre-emptive doctrine” in its national security strategy.

This argued new threats – such as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction – justified using force to forestall attacks before they occurred.

Critics, including Annan, warned that if the notion of preventive self-defence was widely accepted, it would undermine the prohibition on the use of force. It would basically allow states to act unilaterally on speculative intelligence.

Annan acknowledged:

if there are good arguments for preventive military action, with good evidence to support them, they should be put to the Security Council, which can authorise such action if it chooses to.

If it does not so choose, there will be, by definition, time to pursue other strategies, including persuasion, negotiation, deterrence and containment – and to visit again the military option.

This is exactly what Israel has failed to do before attacking Iran.

Lessons from history

Israel’s stated goal was to damage Iran’s nuclear program and prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon that could be used against it.

This is explicitly about preventing an alleged, threatened, future attack by Iran with a nuclear weapon that, according to all publicly available information, Iran does not currently possess.

This is not the first time Israel has advanced a broad interpretation of self-defence.

In 1981, Israel bombed Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, which was under construction on the outskirts of Baghdad. It claimed a nuclear-armed Iraq would pose an unacceptable threat. The UN Security Council condemned the attack.

As international law stands, unless an armed attack is imminent and unavoidable, such strikes are likely to be considered unlawful uses of force.

While there is still time and opportunity to use non-forcible means to prevent the threatened attack, there’s no necessity to act now in self defence.

Diplomatic engagement, sanction, and international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear program — such as through the International Atomic Energy Agency — remain the lawful means of addressing the emerging threat posed by Tehran.

Preserving the rule of law

The right to self-defence is not a blank cheque.

Anticipatory self-defence remains legally unsettled and highly contested.

So were Israel’s attacks on Iran a legitimate use of “self-defence”? I would argue no.

I concur with international law expert Marko Milanovic that Israel’s claim to be acting in preventive self-defence must be rejected on the facts available to us.

In a volatile world, preserving these legal limits is essential to avoiding unchecked aggression and preserving the rule of law.

Shannon Bosch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Are Israel’s actions in Iran illegal? Could it be called self-defence? An international law expert explains – https://theconversation.com/are-israels-actions-in-iran-illegal-could-it-be-called-self-defence-an-international-law-expert-explains-259259
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Celebrating a Decade of the NTPFES Cadet Program

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force and the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services proudly celebrates the ten-year anniversary of its NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) Cadet Program — a unique and impactful initiative that has provided over a decade of vocational training, personal growth, and career pathways for Territory students.

Launched in 2015, the NTPFES Cadet Program has empowered students in Years 11 and 12 to gain firsthand experience in emergency services while achieving nationally recognised qualifications. The 18-month program includes the completion of the Certificate II in Community Engagement and the Certificate III in Business, delivered through the NTPFES College and Charles Darwin University.

Over the past ten years, hundreds of young Territorians have graduated from the program across Darwin and Alice Springs, with the most recent squads graduating in Darwin this afternoon and in Alice Springs last Thursday 12 June. This program allows students to develop critical skills through outdoor leadership camps, cultural learning visits to Indigenous communities, community volunteering and immersive work placements within frontline services teams.

Superintendent of Induction Division Christopher Board, reflected on the milestone, “The NTPFES Cadet Program is an outstanding initiative that has changed lives and strengthened our connection with the community. It gives young Territorians a rare opportunity to grow, learn and lead—while laying the groundwork for future careers in emergency services and beyond. Ten years on, we’re incredibly proud of what this program has achieved.

“237 Cadets have graduated through this program from Darwin and Alice Springs since 2015, with at least 65 having progressed through civilian or uniformed employment within the NT Police Force and NT Fire and Emergency Services. 16 of these have become either Constables, Aboriginal Community Police Officers or Police Auxiliaries, and one has joined the NTES.”

Acting Commissioner for NT Fire and Emergency Services Collene Bremner said the program gave the cadets a well-rounded understanding of the NT’s emergency services.

“As part of the program, the cadets complete placements with the NT Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) and NT Emergency Service (NTES). With the NTFRS, they learn critical skills in road crash rescue and how to operate breathing apparatus (BA), and with NTES they complete necessary inductions, rescue foundations and gain boating experience to learn about vessels being used for evacuations, cargo transport and flood rescues.”

Charles Darwin University (CDU) Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Scott Bowman AO said, “CDU is incredibly proud to support the NTPFES Cadet Program, which has delivered real-world skills, confidence and career opportunities to young Territorians for a decade.

“Together with NTPFES and the NT Department of Education and Training, CDU is helping to build a skilled, community-minded workforce ready to lead in emergency services and beyond.”

NT Department of Education and Training Deputy Chief Executive for Skills, Pathways and Quality, Cathy White said the cadet program helped shape the lives of many young Territorians.

“The Department congratulates the Northern Territory Police Force, the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services and Charles Darwin University for their collaboration through this important training opportunity,” she said.

“This cadet program opens many opportunities for young people who are now utilising their knowledge to pursue diverse careers in the Territory.”

The Cadet Program not only fosters civic responsibility and leadership in participants, but also serves as a pathway into government careers.

As we celebrate this important milestone, the organisation extends heartfelt thanks to all past and present cadets, parents, staff, schools and community partners who have contributed to the success of the program.

MIL OSI News –

June 18, 2025

Maturity	Rate	Bidding Volume	Winning Bid Volume
7 days	1.40%	RMB156.3 billion	RMB156.3 billion

Category: Business

Lesley Cowley OBE appointed as Chair of Building Digital UK

Notes to editors

Chair appointment

Building Digital UK

Project Gigabit

Shared Rural Network

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From drama to circus performances

Keynote speech by Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB, at the SRB Legal Conference 2025

Deepening the Single Market is key for prosperity and our mandates

Deepening the Single Market is a legal imperative

The “troubling three” for the ECB

Overly complex EU rules

Lack of Single Market ownership by Member States

Complicated business establishment and operations

Conclusion

The story of three friends

All approvals in record time

The overthrow of the shah

Birth of the Islamic Republic

A new supreme leader takes power

The return of the shah?

What does the future hold?

When is self-defence allowed?

So what’s ‘self-defence’ actually mean?

However, the lines quickly blurred

Lessons from history

Preserving the rule of law