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SUMMARYThis paper investigates the conditions under which a simple transmission-line model for diffusion corresponds to the simple explicit finite difference method and to the method of Du Fort and Frankel. Consideration is also given to the consistency and accuracy of the methods.

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This article addresses the main legal challenges facing the European Union (eu) Naval Force, eunavfor Med (‘Operation Sophia’), established in 2015, to disrupt human smuggling and trafficking activities in the Mediterranean Sea. It examines a number of legal issues that have given rise to scepticism on the viability of this type of operation, ranging from challenges under European Union law regarding mandate and oversight, to complex questions of compliance with international law. Forcible measures may be at variance with the international law of the sea, binding on the eu and its Member States alike. Even if such strictures can be avoided by a broad United Nations mandate and/or the consent of the neighbouring government(s), international refugee law and international human rights law provide limitations on the measures that Operation Sophia will be tasked with. Different avenues will be explored to ensure the Operation’s compliance with these different legal regimes.

When Denmark failed to ratify the Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, the heads of state and government meeting within the European Council concluded the Edinburgh Decision that established a number of opt-outs for Denmark, so it could subsequently ratify the treaty. One of these opt-outs was in regard to EU defence matters. Nearly three decades on, the Union is now seeing concrete steps being made across the treaties to deliver on a true European Defence Union. Given these developments, the Danish defence opt-out is coming under increased scrutiny. This article analyses the law, policy, and practice of the Danish defence opt-out contained in Article 5 of Protocol (No 22) on the position of Denmark annexed to the EU treaties, in light of the litany of initiatives that now make up the contemporary European Defence Union. Notably, these developments underscore and rationalize the basis of the EU’s internal market for deeper European integration. Moreover, with only one Member State possessing such opt-out, it is arguably detrimental to overall EU defence interests. This article contends that the time has come for Denmark to forgo its defence opt-out – a legacy of the past – and participate in the complete range of initiatives contributing to these new endeavours that form the contemporary European Defence Union. Denmark, Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, Opt-out, EU law, Union law, Protocols, Security Law, European Defence Union.