Brussels, 18/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - In presenting the EP committee on foreign affairs with the major issues for the next six months of the presidency on Tuesday, Luis Amado desired a “more involved role” for the EU in international dossiers. On issues like global warming, migration, the conflict of cultures or nuclear proliferation “the EU must have a leading role” the Portuguese foreign affairs minister said. The Portuguese presidency's external relations programme, which is closely associated with the EU's responsibilities on the international stage, is also marked by the summits planned with various partners (EUROPE 9457). The summit with Brazil has already taken place (EUROPE 9462), but it is the meeting in December with the African nations which is occupying the most energy and comment. In general terms, while not turning its back on the eastern borders of Europe, Portugal is looking southwards.
In our relations with the African continent, “we need a real African Union (AU) with the institutions needed to organise this integration” the minister said. “At the summit we must promote the multilateral framework and not get mixed up with our bilateral relations with Zimbabwe”, he reiterated, without stating the presidency's intentions concerning President Robert Mugabe. We will not allow ourselves to be blocked by this question, but I am “not in a position to respond” at this stage on a possible invitation for Mr Mugabe, Mr Amado replied to Geoffrey van Orden (EPP-ED, UK). “I am not delighted at the idea of Mugabe attending the summit, but of course the AU must stick to its own rules”, which envisage that the various countries are treated on an equal footing, he stressed, assuring Ana Maria Gomes (PES, Portugal) that the partnership would contain a chapter on human rights.
We are having to deal with a new strategic situation around the Mediterranean, where “we want to act” (particularly in the context of Euromed) to guarantee stability, Mr Amado stressed, expressing the hope that these countries could achieve economic integration. This is “perhaps an even bigger challenge than the fall of the Soviet bloc”, he said. He added: “Our action must be visible in the Middle East” where the crisis is only worsening relations between the Arab and Western worlds.
On the subject of Turkey and the definition of the borders of Europe, the Portuguese presidency does not wish to precipitate the debate recommended by Paris. “Our attitude is different to that of France” Mr Amado declared, indicating that an evaluation report would be presented to the European Council in December and that the position of the various member states would be evaluated at that time. (ab)