On Wednesday 14 December MEPs called on member states to show more unity and confidence, and to speak with a single voice, in order to make the EU a global actor.
In the marathon report compiled by Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany), the chair of Parliament's foreign affairs committee, on implementing the common foreign and security policy, MEPs say that European cooperation on this policy could bring greater added value. The report was adopted by 433 votes in favour to 174 against and 93 abstentions, and the Parliament stated that Europe's action should now be guided by the resolve to ensure peace and stability on the continent, in its neighbourhood and in Africa.
In the MEPs' view, the EU's external action should be founded on three pillars –diplomacy, development and defence (the three Ds). Parliament highlights defence, saying that due to the fact that power relationships dominate international relations again, capabilities for defence and deterrence are essential in order to be able to bear weight in diplomatic talks. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)