Brussels, 17/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - Addressing the European Council meeting of EU heads of state and government in Brussels on Friday 17 December, Catherine Ashton presented her ideas on future relations with the European Union's three main “strategic partners”, namely the United States, China and Russia. After informing the leaders of her “preliminary findings” on future EU relations with its strategic partners in general (see details in yesterday's EUROPE), the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy also submitted three working papers to the European Council summarising her views and intentions for future development of links with Washington, Moscow and Beijing (the full texts of these three documents are shortly to be published in our series EUROPE/Documents). On Friday, the European Council welcomed Ashton's first intermediary report and invited her to continue reflection on this. EU leaders intend to take stock of work on strategic partnerships once a year.
China. The current relationship with China, which is “pivotal” for stability, security and economic growth in Europe, “falls some way short of its potential”, Ashton's paper reads. If the EU wants to transform its connection with Beijing into a true strategic partnership, then this must be done “on the basis of mutual interests and benefits”, she underlines. The EU's interests with respect to China must be precise and clearly set out to enhance trade and investment, increase cooperation on global challenges and security threats, develop a low carbon partnership, and promote democratic governance, rule of law and human rights. On this last point, Europeans should not have too many illusions as, in its current stage of development, Beijing gives priority to economic development, attaching special importance to economic and social rights. It is therefore obvious that the country will “not match EU standards on rule of law and human rights for some time to come”, Ashton said, adding that the EU must therefore give priority to implementing UN conventions on human rights, good governance and rule of law. Over the next 10 to 15 years, the EU must seek to develop a strategic partnership but also “strategic trust and interdependence” with Beijing, the high representative says. If the EU truly wants to establish a strategic partnership with China to serve the interests of both parties, then “all existing irritations and concerns should be addressed in that spirit”, she said. The paper identifies these “irritations and concerns”. On the Chinese side, it is a matter of market economy status, the arms embargo and the questions of Taiwan and Tibet. On the European side, Ashton mentions market access, investment, protection of intellectual property, as well as human rights and rule of law.
United States. “The EU-US relationship has to go global if it is to remain relevant and effective”, the paper reads. “Economics remains at the heart of our relationship” as “despite the rise of China, India and others, EU-US remains the biggest economic relationship in the world”. It is in Washington's interest to have a strong and capable EU as a partner, if only for budgetary reasons, Catherine Ashton points out, saying: “Given its interest in limiting expenditure while maintaining global security, the US will continue to want a strong and capable EU. Put simply: the US needs help to achieve its global objectives”. The best way for the EU to have any influence over Washington is to remain “unified, capable and self-confident”, was Ashton's view.
Russia. Relations with Russia “matter enormously” for the EU but there is a “great deal of untapped potential” in this partnership, Ashton says. Current circumstances are propitious for entering a true strategic relationship with Russia as “Russia needs EU support to meet its vast modernisation needs, primarily in technological and economic fields”. The EU priority goal in its relationship with Moscow must be to “promote Russia's full integration into international rules-based political and economic structures” in order to make it a “reliable and responsible partner” that respects rules and values to which it subscribes as a member of the UN, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. (H.B./transl.jl)