Brussels, 07/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - In its relations with the outside world, the EU should focus not only on stability, as was done too often in the past, but should also address the democratic, economic and social “sustainability” of the regimes in power around the world, President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy has said. “The events in Tunisia and Egypt remind all of us that stability can lead to immobility. Betting on stability alone therefore cannot be the ultimate answer. There is a difference between stability and sustainability. The latter has its foundations in economic results and social justice, in freedom and democracy. A political system which does not allow for peaceful change will remain weak at heart. I think this realisation deserves more attention in our foreign policies, in our expectations, … and not only in the Middle East”, said Van Rompuy in an address at the forty-seventh Security Council in Munich on 5 February 2011. Commenting on Egypt, Tunisia and other countries in the region, he said the EU had learnt its lessons and was offering them “new partnerships”, referring to the conclusions adopted by European Council on 4 February (see EUROPE 10309). “We need to help to create social and economic opportunities, for instance through trade or investment and help create the environment for free enterprise instead of crony capitalism. This is key for a region where millions of men and women suffer from a lack of education, a lack of jobs, a lack of perspective”, he commented. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton was instructed by the EU's leaders to prepare a package of measures to support the transformation process in Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere in the region (see EUROPE 10309). “The EU is committed to a new partnership with those countries in the region pursuing political and economic reforms”, said Van Rompuy in Munich, adding that “a common approach”' between the EU and the United States was key. (H.B./transl.fl)