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IP/06/752
Brussels, 8 June 2006
EU External Action: Commission presents proposals to strengthen the Union’s role as a global actor
The European Commission today approved a communication (“Europe in the World: Some Practical Proposals for Greater Coherence, Effectiveness and Visibility”) which examines how to strengthen the EU’s external action without changes to the existing Treaty. The communication makes proposals to enable the Union to define a strong sense of collective purpose, and ensures that political will is backed by the necessary policy instruments. It also points to examples of how a more coherent approach can bring value-added. The paper will be presented to the forthcoming European Council.
President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed adoption of the paper: “European citizens expect the Union to use its substantial international influence to protect and promote their interests and there is an expectation among our international partners for Europe to assume its global responsibilities. The EU can have greater impact by acting collectively, rather than as a sum of its component parts and I believe we are presenting today very constructive and concrete proposals”.
Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner added: “If the EU is to punch its weight in the world we must harness the synergies between all the actors involved. I am looking forward to developing new ways of working to ensure we maximise our leverage and influence in international affairs”.
This paper is a response to the informal meeting of the Hampton Court meeting of Heads of State and Government last October, which decided that the EU should take steps to reinforce its external action, including the link between internal and external policies, despite the setback to the Constitutional Treaty.
The paper proposes practical steps for the way ahead:
- Better Strategic Planning: internally, the Commission will strengthen the role of the External Relations Group of Commissioners, and the High Representative will be associated with its work. Every six months the incoming President of the European Council and Foreign Minister, the President of the Commission and the External Relations Commissioner and High Representative should meet informally in the interests of strategic planning.
- Improved co operation between Commission and Council Secretariat: This could entail more joint strategy papers, based on intensified co operation between the Commission services and the Council Policy Unit; double-hatting of Heads of Delegation/Special Representatives where appropriate; shared political reporting and analysis; and more co ordination on crisis management.
- Relations with Member States: The Commission is preparing an enhanced programme of exchange of personnel with the diplomatic services of the Member States and the staff of the Council Secretariat both in Headquarter and in Delegations. Member states could open up national diplomatic training schemes to staff in EU institutions and vice versa.