On 8 May, the European Commission adopted its Communication on the role of the European Union in the promotion of human rights and the democratisation of third countries. This is the first summary document on a European strategy in this connection since 1995. European External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten had presented the broad lines of the document during the informal Gymnich-type meeting on and 6 May in Nyköping (see EUROPE of 7/8 May, p.7). The Communication above all gives in two...