Brussels, 12/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - As the debate in Strasbourg on 11 May clearly showed (see EUROPE 10376), a very large majority of the EP wants a common foreign and security policy (CFSP) that is far more ambitious and proactive. Impatience is growing at Catherine Ashton's performance, considered over-cautious, too late and too modelled on the interests of large national diplomacies. The EU high representative for foreign affairs should “dare” more, take the initiative, develop strategies and fashion her own foreign policy as she considers fit and necessary for the EU. In short, as Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany) put it, Ashton must direct rather than simply follow. The MEPs' aspiration to see the EU “do better” in the international arena is also reflected in the report by Gabriele Albertini (EPP, Italy) on the main aspects and fundamental choices of the CFSP, adopted on 11 May.
The Parliament calls on Catherine Ashton to use every means available to her to make EU27 foreign policy more coherent. “The achievement of full coherence and efficiency of the EU common policy will require, first and foremost, the political will of the member states to overcome their differing outlooks on key foreign policy issues”, it states. The CSFP should focus above all on the countries and regions in crisis where EU strategic interests and values are at stake, and where operations would provide real added value to the promotion of peace, stability and rule of law and the defence of democracy and human rights, the Parliament states. Ensuring energy supply security must be another objective of foreign policy, it says.
The Albertini report also sets out what, according to the EP, should be the “main geographical priorities” of the CFSP: - Multilateral diplomacy and the promotion of world governance. The EU must strengthen its partnership with NATO and take advantage of its enhanced status at the UN General Assembly (where it now has the right to speak - see EUROPE 10371) to play a more active role at the United Nations. In the EP's view, it is also necessary to strengthen the OSCE. - Transatlantic relations. Links with the USA remain one of the main pillars of EU external policy. MEPs call for the creation of a “barrier-free transatlantic market, which should provide the basis for a reinforced transatlantic partnership”. - Balkans. All the countries of the region have the prospect of membership, as long as they carry out the necessary reforms to meet accession criteria. The enlargement process must be continued in line with these criteria, they stress. - Eastern Partnership (Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan). The objective must be to achieve “political association and economic integration” of these countries, including in the field of energy, but in full respect of criteria set and common European values. - Russia. The EU must have a more coherent attitude towards Moscow and ensure compliance with rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country. These values must also constitute “the basis” for the new partnership agreement under negotiation. - Turkey. The EP deplores the “virtual stagnation” of the accession process and trusts “in any case that Turkey will continue its modernisation along European lines”. MEPs also warn of “serious long-term problems if the EU-Turkey relationship is not stabilised and if the EU and NATO continue to be prevented from achieving their goal of closer cooperation”. Ankara's increasingly active foreign policy sets new challenges and provides new opportunities for the CFSP. Ashton should therefore engage in institutionalised dialogue with Turkey on major strategic issues, such as energy, stability in the Balkans and the Caucasus, the Iranian nuclear programme or the democratic uprisings in the Middle East. - Middle East and the Mediterranean. The EU must play a heightened role in the Israel-Palestine peace process. To this end, Ashton should present a “new strategy for Europe towards the region”, sketching out the Union's interests and goals as well as means that can be used to achieve this. The EP also states its solidarity with the citizens of the countries in the southern neighbourhood as they fight for democracy, freedom and social justice. The EU must provide them with rapid and unequivocal support. - Black Sea. The Commission must speed up implementation of projects in the context of the Black Sea Synergy and keep this question on the agenda of the European External Action Service (EEAS). - Asia. The EP calls for a sustainable solution to be found in Afghanistan and reaffirms Pakistan's “strategic role” in the region. Relations with China, Japan and India are vital for the future and must be consolidated. - Africa. MEPs support and encourage partnerships with the African Union and other regional organisations of Africa aimed at meeting stability and security concerns on the African continent. They also call for a comprehensive approach to be defined for the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions. - Latin America. MEPs welcome the conclusion of talks on the association agreement with Central America and the trade agreement with Peru and Colombia. The EU should, however, continue to give preference to regional integration processes. (H.B./transl.jl)