Brussels, 12/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 11 April, the European Parliament's committee on foreign affairs received Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who commented on the top priorities of the EU's foreign policy and on the annual political strategy 2007 that she presented to MEPs. In her preliminary exposé and answers to questions put to her, Ms Ferrero-Waldner gave a very broad picture of actions conducted in the world aimed, above all, at developing partnerships for peace and stabilisation in neighbouring countries and regions, without forgetting Asia and Latin America. She also placed emphasis on the need for democratic developments, and reaffirmed the hope that transatlantic relations would be intensified. The EU/USA summit on 30 April should, she said, also provide an opportunity to tackle the question of climate change. European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) was presented by the commissioner as the “priority” area to be covered by European diplomatic endeavour. This policy not only concerns Ukraine and the countries of the Caucasus but also the Mediterranean and the Middle East in particular, the aim being not only to ensure stability at the furthermost parts of the European Union but also to ensure that it has secure supplies of energy, gas in particular. The commissioner highlighted relations with Russia when it comes to energy. Russia has not ratified the energy charter but has undertaken to apply the principles. Ms Ferrero-Waldner welcomed the “Synergy for Black Sea Regional Cooperation” initiative adopted on Wednesday by the Commission (EUROPE 9404). She also informed MEPs of new measures and instruments available to the EU's external policy, presented in the recent 2007 strategy paper to be discussed by the EP.
As the hearing opened, the chairman of the parliamentary committee, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski of Poland (EPP-ED), stressed the importance of “inter-institutional dialogue” when it comes to foreign policy. The debate on the 2007 strategy paper provides an opportunity to look at this in greater detail, Ms Ferrero-Waldner added, saying that the paper is only the “tip of the iceberg”. She called on MEPs to also take an interest in transposing the priorities set out “on the ground”. On the ground, she pointed out, reality is above all marked by greater consultation with the United States, not only in the political field but also in sectors such as energy or climate change. In this context, the commissioner expressed a hope for “ambitious transatlantic dialogue”.
Contributing to stability in the Gulf region and more actively to the Middle East peace process, promoting the partnership with China, intensifying the network of relations and association agreements with Latin America (and above all with Central America - more safely than with Mercosur, she had added in her answers to MEPs), consolidating dialogue with Russia and its neighbouring countries, including Belarus (with which, she confirmed, cautious contacts have begun) or Ukraine (where “the situation is difficult”), Armenia or, further still, the former Soviet Republics of Central Asia - such are the fields to be covered by external policy with a view to strengthening partnership at national as well as sub-regional and regional level, asserted the commissioner. She also spoke of the Democratic Republic of Congo, asking whether there will be political “opposition in the future” to the regime in power.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner then answered detailed questions raised by MEPs. On the subject of Palestine, she asserted that the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) for financial support will remain in place but that it will be gradually remodelled to make it more effective without departing from the principle of control and supervision of the allocations made (see EUROPE 9404). Ms Ferrero spoke of her perfect understanding with the new Palestinian finance minister whom she had met that morning (EUROPE 9404). On the matter of Israel's request to enjoy a “special status” in its relations with the EU, she considers it “possible” but said “this will depend on the two parties” concerned. On Iraq, she recalled the EU's commitment to restore stability but felt “this will not be easy”. North Korea, Syria, Iran and Cuba: these are all countries with which the EU does not despair of forming relations or of having political practices that are acceptable for the international community, she replied, while saying that progress remains slow and uncertain. (fb)