Brussels, 04/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - The new special representative of the EU for human rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, said to MEPs on Monday 3 September that he wants EU member states to adopt an “ambitious and unified” position in the defence of human rights. It should no longer be a case of setting objectives according to “the lowest common denominator” of member states positions, he said, “we must speak with one voice and with the highest common denominator”.
Lambrinidis said that his mandate focuses on strengthening the visibility, coherence and effectiveness of European human rights policy. “Effectiveness is key”, he said, highlighting that “if we are effective, visibility will follow”. “I am going to concentrate on crisis situations, of course, but I am also going to emphasise making all the instruments available to us more effective in the prevention of breaches of human rights before they reach a state of crisis”, he added. The new representative said that he will be concerned with human rights outside but also inside the EU. “We must lead by the force of our example, being diligent in applying the same standard to ourselves as we do to others. Our soft power and credibility in the world - which as much as any economic power can draw the respect and encourage the human rights compliance of third countries - depends on us avoiding double standards”, he said.
The chair of the foreign affairs committee at the European Parliament, Elmar Brok (Germany), said that he wanted the creation of this post to mean that the application of human rights, for example under the trade agreements between the EU and third countries, be better controlled. Barbara Lochbihler (Greens/EFE, Germany), the chair of the sub-committee for human rights, asked the new representative to stay in regular contact with the MEPs.
This meeting with MEPs is Lambrinidis' first public appearance since he took up office on 1 September. He was appointed by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton on 25 July. (CG/transl.fl)