Brussels, 04/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Spanish Presidency of the EU presented its priorities to the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, where the Spanish foreign affairs minister (currently the president of the General Affairs Council), Miguel Angel Moratinos, underlined his position on Thursday 4 February, regarding a large number of international current affairs, especially:
Postponement of the EU-US summit. The Spanish Presidency is continuing to play down the affair (the cancellation of Barack Obama's visit to Madrid) and refuses to attribute the slightest political importance to either the state of transatlantic relations or the political weight of the EU on the world stage. Mr Moratinos provided assurances that “transatlantic relations are solid and strong … there is no urgency to our meeting each other but rather, we should keep priority action focused on the work we are doing together. All daily and sectoral cooperation with the Americans is working well”. He also pointed out that the postponement of the summit was due to the US president experiencing a problem with his timetable. The minister underlined the fact that “with or without a summit, the Spanish Presidency will work in favour of implementing the transatlantic agenda with Washington”
Ukraine. Several MEPs (Elmar Brok, Charles Tannock) criticised the fact that four days before the second round of the presidential elections in Ukraine between Ioulia Timochenko and Viktor Ianoukovitch (7 February), the Ukrainian Parliament adopted on 3 February an amendment to the electoral law which, according to the opposition, leaves the door open to fraud (the law was signed on Thursday by President Iouchtchenko). Moratinos said that he was very concerned by this measure and called on the Ukrainian authorities to guarantee a free and fair election. He also said that the EU was expected to take official action but explained that “this is not my role but rather that of Ms Ashton”, High Representative for Foreign Affairs, adding “I'm sure she will respond”.
Iran. Moratinos said that if Tehran does not comply with its international commitments on nuclear issues “we have to prepare for new measures to be taken in the UN Security Council”. Nonetheless, he explained that “the EU rejects any military intervention” and added that “we all want to resolve the nuclear dispute with Iran in a peaceful and diplomatic way. Of course, sanctions are part of a diplomatic arrangement”. Moratinos asserted that “we need to keep the pressure up so as to avoid disaster in the region. The Middle East has enough problems to deal with. We certainly don't need Iran becoming a nuclear power”. The EU is now calling on Tehran to respond to appeals made by the international community and provide constructive proposals. Moratinos cautiously explained that they would have to examine the recent statements made by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Tuesday 2 February, indicating that Iran was prepared to exchange some of its less enriched uranium for highly enriched fuel necessary for its Tehran research reactor.
Middle East. Moratinos explained that peace talks might resume immediately. He declared: “I've got a sense that very soon there will be renewed negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians, even next week potentially”. He also expressed hope that they would “have a political framework by June to make sure that we can foster understanding and reconciliation”.
Embargo on arms sales to China. The Spanish Presidency is ready to examine the lifting of the embargo (imposed after the repression of the 1989 demonstrations) but explained that it would respect the EU's 2005 decision in which the EU25 at the time agreed to review the embargo, explained Moratinos. He also stated that “if a decision is to be taken on the lifting of the embargo, it will be taken by consensus.”
Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). In reply to a question asked by Hélène Flautre (Greens/EFA, France), who was concerned about respect for human rights and democratic principles in certain partner countries, Moratinos highlighted the fact that “human rights and the rule of law are fundamental” to the EU in its relations with its neighbours in both the South and East. He explained that with regard to the UfM, “we will renew this commitment, not for us, but for countries that need political modernisation”. Moratinos explained: “I imagine that the Barcelona summit declaration (of the UfM) in June will remind us of the commitment of all countries participating in the UfM to respect the rule of law, human rights and freedoms”.
Cuba. Moratinos did not hide the fact that Spain (it is necessary to make a distinction between the Spanish Presidency of the EU) would like a rapprochement between the EU and Havana and it is, to this end, calling for a review of the EU's “Common position” of 1996. Madrid argues that the EU's common position is a “unilateral position”, which does not allow any improvements to be made in the human rights and the rule of law situation in place, and that it is necessary to replace this with a bilateral arrangement in which the Cuban authorities can make concrete commitments. Moratinos explained: “We want more human rights, more freedoms and more development in Cuba. But has the EU's common position allowed this objective to be obtained? No, because it is the unilateral position of the EU. Spain wants to modify the common position and obtain a bilateral agreement with Cuba in which the Cuban authorities themselves make commitments to a series of obligations on human rights and the rule of law. For the moment, we have a common unilateral position which has not had much of an impact”. He believes that such an approach would really allow for the situation in the country to be improved.
Free-trade agreement with Mercosur. The Spanish Presidency would like to conclude negotiations on the free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur during its six-month presidency of the EU or at least develop a sketch of an agreement which could be approved during the EU-Latin American summit in Madrid next May. Moratinos explained: “We will continue the ambitious negotiations but will it be possible to conclude talks by May? It is difficult to say but we will do all we can to achieve this in Madrid” during the summit with countries from Latin America.
FYROM. Moratinos is hoping that a solution to the problem of using the name “Macedonia” will soon be found between Skopje and Greece, if possible before the end of the Spanish Presidency. The minister, however, does not share the opinion of the rapporteur for FYROM, Zoran Thaler (S&D, Slovenia), who suggested that the EU nominate a “Special Representative” to help find a solution. Moratinos said that “it would be better to leave the two countries (Ed: FYROM and Greece) to hold talks under the auspices of the UN”, which does not, however, exclude assistance from the Spanish Presidency of the EU should the two parties want it.
Enlargement. The Presidency wants to make progress in accession negotiations with Croatia (two new chapters are expected to be opened before the end of the month, announced Moratinos) so that they can be closed this year. With regard to talks involving Turkey, the Presidency will do all it possibly can to make these progress, Moratinos simply explained.
Cooperation with Catherine Ashton. Moratinos reiterated the full and total support from the Spanish Presidency for Ashton. He also said that it was prepared to provide help wherever this was necessary (on Thursday, Moratinos will present MEPs with the results from the most recent Foreign Affairs Council). He also said that this provides clear proof of the good co-operation between the rotating Presidency and Ashton, as well as testimony to the very efficient way in which European aid had been co-ordinated for Haiti. (H.B./transl.fl)