Brussels, 31/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is determined to share its experience with transition societies - including states in a situation of conflict or fragility - that have to face the challenge of transforming their societies into open democracies and carrying out major reforms. It intends to help them set responsible institutions and governments in place, and establish political freedom, an economy at the service of all, decent employment, equity and social justice. The Council's conclusions on “EU Support for Sustainable Change in Transition Societies” were officially adopted without debate on Thursday 31 January, on the sidelines of the meeting of EU27 foreign ministers. They define the approach recommended for managing this task and endorse, with details, the Commission's communication on the subject. Ministers in charge of development had discussed this during their meeting in October 2012. The adoption of unanimous conclusions was no more than a procedural formality (subject to waiving parliamentary reservation).
In the countries of its neighbourhood or elsewhere in the world, the Council considers that the EU must “bring a comprehensive, coherent and targeted long-term response to transition processes based on a shared analysis towards the promotion of democratic governance, human rights and the rule of law, economic and social welfare, as well as peace and stability”, by making full use of existing EU policies, tools and resources, from common foreign and security policy (CFSP) to development cooperation in order to reach those objectives. This approach, aimed at “consolidating sustainable social, economic, political and environmental reforms” should be the subject of close coordination between the EU instruments and institutions, and take account of the context and specific vulnerabilities of different countries, the Council states. The ultimate aim is to help transition countries achieve democratic government, inclusive and sustainable growth, and poverty reduction by supporting the effective participation of civil society in the reforms. (AN/transl.jl)