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Statement on the European Parliament Report on Progress Achieved in the Implementation of Common Foreign and Security Policy |
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(Source: European Commission; dated Sept. 25, web-posted Sept. 27, 2002)
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Statement by The Rt Hon Chris Patten
Commissioner for External Relations
Plenary Session European Parliament
Strasbourg, 25 September 2002
I would like to congratulate the rapporteur for his comprehensive report on the Union's emerging CFSP. Elmar Brok's report offers a good overview of the progress achieved and new challenges that emerged in 2001/2002. When we met here 11 months ago to discuss the previous CFSP Report, we were under the fresh impression of the terror attacks in the US and of the war in Afghanistan. The picture today has changed dramatically. The impact of 11 September on world politics has been immense and continues to be.
I agree with the Rapporteur that there are currently four major tasks for our Common Foreign and Security Policy, and none of them are easily met:
--Our partnership with the United States. The complexity and diversity of this indispensible partnership inevitably generates a certain degree of friction. We stand united against terrorism, we share similar values. But our interpretation of these values is not always the same. US leadership since World War II has been based on two pillars - containment and the global rule book. This still represents the correct approach.
--In our co-operation with the US, but also more generally, the EU has shown resolve in the pursuit of this multilateral approach to foreign policy. We strongly believe that multilateral arrangements and conventions, the UN, the G8, the OSCE and others are indispensable to tackle the security, development and environmental problems which confront the world.
--The structures of ESDP and its relationship with NATO are of particular concern. I am worried that despite almost indefatigable efforts of many the Berlin plus-issue remains unsettled. Without EU access to NATO assets we will be unable to take over Task Force Fox from NATO in FYROM next year.
--Finally, bilateral relations have continued to expand in the past year with virtually all major countries in the world. Among them, Russia is an increasingly important strategic partner. Today, we have an ambitious, comprehensive, bilateral agenda with Russia, including a structured and intensive CFSP dialogue. This partnership also helps us to address sensitive issues.
I can broadly agree with the rapporteur's remarks regarding the agenda of our regional policies. The report includes a series of proposals which are welcome, such as the creation of a Euro-Med parliamentary assembly, fresh initiatives for our partnerships with Asia and Latin America and support to NEPAD in Subsaharan-Africa.
There are four issues that I would like to address in particular:
--In the Western Balkans we need to ensure that we work together to preserve the integrity of the Stabilisation and Association Process. The agreements should not be seen as political goodwill signals. It is in no-one's interest to finalise agreements with countries before the objective criteria for an agreement have been fulfilled.
--Regarding Iraq I told this House earlier this month that we must continue to press for full Iraqi compliance with the UN resolutions. The fundamental points are that we must respect the authority of the United Nations and international law. We have to monitor closely whether inspections can be carried out without excuses, without prevarication, without ifs and buts. The political acion is at present in New York and this is exactly where it should be.
--Afghanistan is an issue I remain seriously concerned about. The assassination attempt on President Karzai and the bomb in central Kabul earlier this month are just the most recent examples of the fragility of this country. We must not spare efforts to help the central government extend its authority to the entire country. The Commission is making every effort to ensure swift implementation of its reconstruction assistance.
The regional agenda, as important as it is, must not stop us from thinking ahead. There are long-term strategic issues that we need to keep in sight:
--The institutional framework for CFSP: The architecture of the treaties is complex and our work on CFSP is right at the institutional frontiers. The work of the Convention will soon produce new proposals to improve the present arrangements. I look forward to participating in the discussions of the Dehaene Working Group. But may I state here today again what I have said so often before, we can always discuss institutional improvements - but we will not be able to replace political will which is what we most need.
--Preparation for the consequences of enlargement on CFSP/ESDP: Enlargement will have a major impact on the CFSP. Together with the Danish Presidency, we have started thinking about the consequences of this. We have to make CFSP structures responsive enough to cater for 10 or even more new Member States. Through the Wider Europe initiative we will deepen our reflection about how to organise relations, and wherever possible, seek partnership with the 'near abroad' in the East, the South-East and the South.
--Crisis Management and Conflict Prevention must become a cross-cutting issue for all CFSP and external relations initiatives: Our work on conflict indicators will be instrumental in gearing diplomatic action and aid programming towards conflict prevention and crisis management. We need to implement the Gotenburg Programme for the Prevention of Violent Conflict and further strengthen our Human Rights and democracy promotion policies.
There are many examples of how CFSP yields operational results when we effectively pool national and EU resources, both in the Commission and in the Council. I look forward to working with this House on improving our mechanisms for this and in extending full democratic control and accountability to the field of CFSP.
-ends-
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