EU must build on its internal strength to gain external power
The EU enlargement policy is a reflection of the Union's global role, said the Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn Tuesday 3. November when he addressed the French senate. "The global credibility of the EU rests on its capacity to shape its neighbourhood", Rehn said, "the 2004 enlargement, reuniting European countries after decades of division into blocks, is a sterling example of the pull of the EU's soft power".
Commissioner Rehn highlighted the stabilising role of EU enlargement policy in the Western Balkans – especially pertinent now in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU's message is clear: To become a credible candidate for the EU, the country must make the necessary constitutional reforms and the Office of the High Representative must be closed. A positive example of EU's gravitational pull is the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which, after years of stagnation, has proceeded with reforms so that the Commission recommended opening accession negotiations with the country.
Turkey remains an important strategic partner for the EU. Peace and stability in the Middle East and in Caucasus as well as energy security are a few examples where Turkey plays an important role. To make progress towards the EU, Turkey needs to strengthen efforts on policy reforms in areas such as women's rights, the freedom of expression, media freedom, religious freedoms and trade union rights. Turkey is also expected to contribute with practical steps to the settlement of the Cyprus issue.
Anticipating the entering into force of the Lisbon Treaty, Commissioner Rehn cast a vision to the EU's future foreign politics. With the new institutional configuration, a High Representative/ Vice-president of the Commission leading the European External Action Service, the EU will be well equipped to pursue European interests in global arena. Rehn mentioned the growing role of the European Parliament in the conduct of EU's foreign policy in the future. "The Lisbon Treaty enhances the powers of the national parliaments and the European Parliament. Working for a common objective requires a strategic vision, and the ability to compromise and persuade".
In conclusion, we stand before a historic opportunity to lift the EU's foreign policy and global role to a new level. We need to shape our own neighbourhood by an intelligent combination of our policies of enlargement and partnership. We need to strengthen our partnerships with other strategic players, such as the US, Russia and China. That requires further consolidation within the Union, an effective implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and good team work between the President of the Commission, the Council, Parliament and the High-Representative/Vice-President. This way we can make a real difference for peace and prosperity, freedom and democracy, which remain the EU’s core values and those of the French Republic.
Published on: 2009-11-03
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