
Promoting a coherent European strategy in the World
The development of a coherent European foreign policy is essential if the Union is to play a role in the world. The Union must focus on its traditional strengths and put a very strong and special emphasis on human rights and democracy promotion. Foreign policy must always promote and defend European values and in a way that reflects the uniqueness of the European Union.
The development of the External Action Service will be a key element in providing the Union with the tools for greater coherence and efficiency. The Union must develop its foreign policy potential enabling it to act in a way commensurate with its weight in financing development and peace building policies.
The Union must also have a clear agenda of human rights and bring its experience in conflict resolution and crisis management to bear. The Union must also be involved in humanitarian relief missions where either human conflict or nature have caused devastation.
Finally, the Union must develop its defence procurement thereby enabling the emergence of a truly common defence market, strengthening European defence and its technological and industrial base through the exploitation of economies of scale and ensuring European forces benefit from the best equipment when sent on ESDP missions.
What is the future for Moderate Islamic Reformers post-Arab Spring?
As the Arab uprisings struggle to transform themselves into democratic states, ALDE is asking "How can the EU help existing moderate Islamist movements post-Arab Spring?" . This seminar organised by the ALDE group and chaired ...
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Annan plan has been killed- 477 times and counting
Commenting after the meeting between the UN special envoy, Kofi Annan and the UN Security Council last night, Guy Verhofstadt asks "Has the Annan plan worked? Ask the families of the 477 souls lost since the April 12th ceasefire...
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Guy Verhofstadt: "Mubarak still rules in Egypt"
Yesterday evening the Presidential Electoral Committee in Egypt decided that ten presidential candidates couldn't run, despite the fact they appealed against an earlier decision. Without wanting to judge about all individual...
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