Brussels, 19/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - This Friday, the European Convention is to examine the reports by two working groups on external relations and defence. In its final report, the working group on EU external action, chaired by Jean-Luc Dehaene, makes fairly ambitious recommendations aimed at establishing a genuine common foreign policy. It responds to the aim of giving Europe a voice on the international stage, even though the group's preferred option is the intergovernmental method.
The group reached agreement of a text defining the principles and objectives of the Union's external actions that would aim at "promoting in the rest of the world: democracy, the Rule of Law, universality, equality and solidarity and the respect of international law". Among the goals of this policy, the group mentions: - safeguarding common values, fundamental rights, the Union's independence and integrity; - preserving peace, preventing conflicts and strengthening international security; - supporting the economic and social development of poor countries. It recommends that the European Council define the EU's strategic goals relating to a country, a region, a situation or a specific topic and lay down parameters to guide the action of the EU and Member States. Were the European Council thus to be responsible for guiding external action, it would be up to the "External Action" Council to implement the policy. A broad trend emerged in favour of merging the jobs of High Representative and Commissioner responsible for external action that would go to a "European Representative for External Actions". A footnote stipulates that this name won preference (over "EU Foreign Minister" or "EU Secretary for Foreign Affairs") as it has the "advantage of not corresponding to any title used at national level". He or she would be appointed by the European Council, voting through a qualified majority, with the approval of the President of the Commission and with the agreement of the European Parliament. He or she would receive direct briefs from the Council but would also have a formal but non-executive right of initiative. A large number of members of the group was in favour of the person chairing the "External Action" Council, without, however, the right to vote.
The other largely majority ideas, subject of a consensus, relate to:
implementation of the same decision-making procedures when it comes under the Union's internal competencies (generally qualified majority voting in Council);
in the field of CFSP, the group would like to avoid inertia and proposes using qualified majority voting as often as possible, as well as constructive abstention. It envisages introducing in the Treaty a clause providing for the Council being able to decide through unanimity to extend qualified majority voting to CFSP.
qualified majority voting would be extended to all areas relating to trade policy;
the setting up of an EU diplomatic service (with ambassadors) under the direction of the European Representative for External Affairs;
the creation of an EU school of diplomacy;
integration of the European Development Funds into the EU general budget;
grant a certain amount of financial autonomy to the European Representative;
the fact that the Union should try to secure an official status or, possibly, become a full-fledged member of relevant specialised international organisations, without prejudice to the status of Member States in these organisations;
a single representation of the euro zone in international financial institutions;
a single spokesperson in international bodies when the Union decides on a position.