Brussels, 19/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - After a discussion on EU relations with its strategic partners, the heads of state and government called, on Friday 19 October, for full implementation of the internal arrangements agreed at the European Council of 16 September 2010, in order to improve the EU's external relations.
During the Council, the heads of state and/or government called for a more integrated and above all more consistent approach to EU external policy. They highlighted full and consistent mobilisation of relevant EU and member states' policies and instruments and support of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The Council underlined the importance of strengthening coherence and complementarity between the EU's internal and external policies and the deepening of synergies between EU external relations and bilateral relations of member states with third countries. Underlining that the EU must have a generally clear view of the specific issues raised by relations with the various partner countries, the European leaders want medium term planning setting out the objectives to be attained.
They also called on the presidents of the Council and Commission to pursue their work to improve how the EU presents its positions at multilateral summits, including the G8 and G20. (CG/transl.jl)