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Foreign affairs MEPs call for more unity & trust in EU external actions

Diplomacy, development & defence should be the pillars of EU foreign policy, say Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs in a resolution voted on Thursday. They call on member states to show more unity & trust, and to speak with one voice, so as to make the EU a global player. 

MEPs also advocate a more realistic strategy on Russia and a “less for less” policy towards countries that try to throw democracy into reverse.

The resolution, drafted by Foreign Affairs Committee chair Elmar Brok (EPP, DE), stresses that the EU is ringed by an “arc of instability” stretching from aggressive Russia to proxy wars in Middle East and North Africa. This has “serious consequences for the security and well-being of European citizens”, as it brings terrorism, massive refugee flows and disinformation campaigns, says the text.

Noting that “the EU is one of the greatest achievements in European history”, MEPs suggest that European cooperation in foreign and security policy could yield the most value added. They call on member states to show unity, trust in one another and speak with one voice, in order to make EU a strong global player.

The resolution suggests that EU external action should be based on three pillars: diplomacy, development and defence.

Defend and deter

Foreign affairs MEPs note “since power politics is again dominating international relations, defence and deterrence capabilities are critical” to EU leverage in diplomatic talks. They therefore call for more spending on defence, collective funds for EU missions, measures to make the EU’s rapid reaction force (Battlegroup) more usable and also joint purchasing of defence materials.

More realistic strategy on Russia

The resolution stresses that since Europe’s security architecture has been severely damaged by Russia’s military intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, there is a need to define “more realistic strategy for EU’s relations with Russia”.

They suggest investing more effort in dialogue with Russian civil society, whilst at the same time maintaining diplomatic, political and economic pressure on the Russian government to end its aggression. “Sanctions have proven to be an effective means for deterring further Russian aggression in Ukraine,” say MEPs, asking the EU to keep open the possibility of imposing further sanctions should Russia continue to violate international law.

Less for less

The resolution says that the “European Neighbourhood Instrument has not lived up to its goals”, as the “more for more” policy has failed to win over the EU’s neighbours. Instead, the EU should switching to a “less for less” policy “with regard to those countries which go into reverse in terms of governance, democracy and human rights”.

Next steps

The resolution on the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy was approved by 41 votes to 9, with 4 abstention. The full House will vote on it during the December plenary session in Strasbourg.

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