The candidate for the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, presented himself, in his written answers to MEPs' questions, as a future ombudsman between Member States on this issue.
"We need to ensure the coherence of our actions. The EU has proved that it can be an influential player when it acts united. My aim is to go beyond finding the minimum common denominator when Member States are divided. I intend to play a proactive consensus building role between Member States, promoting what I believe is in the EU’s interest in the short, medium and long term", explains the current Spanish Foreign Minister.
He also advocates for an end to unanimity in foreign policy. "To be a global leader, the Union needs to be able to take decisions in a faster and more efficient way overcoming constraints in our decision-making that may hamper our foreign policy", he said. The candidate therefore announces that he wants to "engage in an open discussion with the Council to ensure that we build the necessary confidence" to consider the use of qualified majority voting. He also proposed constructive abstention.
"Using and applying the possibilities provided for by the Treaty of Lisbon, together with improving the ways we implement foreign policy, will help ensuring Member States' ownership and unity, and the consistency and effectiveness of the EU's external action", he stressed.
On the political level, Mr Borrell promises to make institutional capacity building for mediation and dialogue a top priority. Human rights are another priority. "It is now more important than ever that the EU plays a central role in the promotion and protection of human rights in the world", he pleads, wishing to strengthen the partnership with the European Parliament on this subject. "I will not hesitate to take responsibility for those who suffer, those who ask to be protected and treated with dignity", he assures. Mr Borrell will also ensure that human rights are addressed as a crosscutting issue and that they are an integral part of the overall approach towards partner countries.
Finally, in the field of defence, in addition to continuing the ongoing work, the candidate for the post of High Representative undertook to continue strengthening EU/NATO cooperation and to focus on the adoption of the Peace Facility.
No written questions were sent regarding Mr Borrell's policy towards particular non-Member States. This should therefore be discussed on Monday 7 October during his hearing before the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
See Mr Borrell's answers: http://bit.ly/2nL4ekx (Original version in French by Camille Cerise Gessant)