Prague, 09/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - The customary conference of presidents of the parliamentary committees for European Union foreign affairs opened on Monday 9 March in Prague. The main theme chosen by the two chambers at the Czech parliament were trans-Atlantic relations: security and economic dimension . The Czech presidency decided that one of its priorities would be the European Union in the world. In a letter co-signed by the president of the Czech Senate and chamber of deputies (Jiri Dienstbier and Jan Hamacek), they said that trans-Atlantic relations were required “given that we are aware that Europe only has limited influence in international events (…) Without a stable trans-Atlantic heading, the capacity for action in the European Union's policy as a global actor would be restricted”.
Following Mirek Topolanek and Karel Schwartzenberg's explanation of the Czech presidency's foreign policy priorities, Javier Solana, the EU High Representative for CFSP spoke. Out of these different interventions, it is generally accepted that EU relations with ALENA countries can be considered as having been stabilized in a development perspective with regard to Mexico as bridge between North and Latin America. The Commission said that with this country, it is necessary to conclude a strategic partnership and strengthen political dialogue and security issue consultations. Priorities in this new partnership envisaged with Mexico are: multilateralism, democracy, human rights, rule of law, cultural dialogue, Latin America and the Rio Group), security (fight against terrorism, failing states, organized crime, drug and human trafficking), environmental issues (climate change, natural disasters, fight against over fishing) and socio-economic (development policy, investment and societal responsibility, innovation and intellectual property, open markets, social protection, migration, poverty, global macro-financial stability, energy security and food prices). Debates are due to be concluded on Tuesday morning with a speech by Gerardo Buganza Salmeron, president of the foreign affairs committee at the Chamber of deputies at the Mexican Congress, as well as a study on trans-Atlantic cooperation based on the Afghan experience. (P.B.)