Buitenlandschef Ashton gastvrouw jaarlijkse bijeenkomst EU-delegatiehoofden, 2 september 2013 (en)
© François Vieira - EPI Agency
High Representative/Vice President Catherine Ashton i is hosting the annual Heads of EU Delegations conference in Brussels this week. In her opening remarks, she thanked the Heads of EU Delegations, EU Special Representatives and Heads of EU Missions for their hard work and added "a special thank you to those of you who have literally found yourselves under fire this year." She gave an overview of where the European External Action Service stood after the 2013 Review and spoke of "the EU's unique position in the world". Here are some extracts from her speech on Monday 2 August.
Finding the peace
She began by talking about the role the EU has in "finding the peace" and referred to the historic Serbia-Kosovo agreement in April which went a long way towards normalising relations between the two sides. "In Serbia-Kosovo, we (the EU) were the reason for them to decide to put aside their history and for the two Prime Ministers who had never met before to feel able to come and talk to each other." Another example is Somalia: "The combined forces of the European Union working in military formation, in development and in our political work to try and support the new President and the Somalia Conference that will take place in a couple of weeks here - which is our opportunity for a new deal for Somalia."
Countries in transition
She then turned to countries in transition; Tunisia, Egypt and Myanmar/Burma. She said that in Tunisia "our role on a day-to-day basis in helping find an agreement that so far is nearly within reach but not quite." On Egypt she highlighted the unique role that the EU can play in helping the country on its path to democracy. Ashton noted how the EU engages with all sides in order to have an inclusive political dialogue.
And in Myanmar/Burma there was "real hope" due to the efforts of President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi - the EU is supporting the transition and will hold a Task Force meeting in November which would provide the basis of political and economic support.
Countries in conflict
The EU is also engaged when it comes to countries going through conflict. She mentioned a couple of examples: Mali - where the EU has the mission to train the army, assists the political transition and provides financial assistance - and Syria. "Whatever happens in Syria, there will have to be a political process at some point". Ashton said that there is no doubt that the EU will play a part in building and supporting people through the conflict and beyond, "Our humanitarian support is also of enormous importance, not just in Syria but in Lebanon, Turkey, the operations we have in Jordan and of course in Iraq. "
Key partners
When talking about key partners the EU has in the world, Catherine Ashton said that the US "are a key partner and ally." And talking about EU support for the United Nations, she said: "We are the biggest supporter of the UN and I want us to stay that way. I do not just mean in our economic support, but in our understanding of the needs for nations that come together and work in collaboration to try and resolve problems. It is never easy, but it's really important."
Helping to protect
The EU is also increasingly active in "helping to protect". One example is the Arctic: "I see the EU again having a unique role to play. Contributions on the Arctic in our policy papers have been recognised to be significant because we have taken interest in both the understanding of the changes in the Artic and their relevance for trade, economic life, and also the protection and conservation of an important part of the world." Another example is addressing the biggest resource issue in the world - water. "When we look at what is happening with the Nile and the dramatic changes that are feared and what could happen in Central Asia where between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan there are real challenges, it is clear this is going to be a theme."
Fair trade
When it comes to relations with developing countries, the EU also supports efforts towards economic growth and fair trade. Referring to the recent fires and factory disasters in Bangladesh, Catherine Ashton said: "We worked very closely with Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht on trying to find ways of helping, to ensure all of our standards are reached, and also with our businesses who are buying from these factories." She also mentioned engagement in the Caribbean and Central America.
Security and safe borders
Catherine Ashton also mentioned how the EU was helping countries to build their security, for example in helping them learn how to police their own borders.
In Libya the EU has launched a Border Assistance Mission: "It begins with trying to get the streets safe, trying to get control of a situation - as in Libya where oil production is dropping dramatically because groups are holding it to ransom. When you have porous borders where guns and arms can go through; or whether it is trying to make sure that in a post-conflict situation you are able to help security develop."
Iran talks
Then turning to her stewardship of the talks with Iran over their nuclear programme, she said: "It is the EU - and in this case me - who is tasked by the Security Council to take on this responsibility. It is the EU that brings together the E 3+3 (Russia, China, US, France, Germany, UK) into one cohesive group. That group of people are so engaged and so willing to find a common solution."
Conclusion: EU and its countries have faced myriad of challenges
In conclusion she talked about what the EU could offer internationally: "We do not have some of the hard power that some of our individual countries or that other nations or organisations have. We do not have many of the tools of others. What we have is an amazing combination of things. We have history where you can point to the fact that practically every situation the world is now facing the EU and its member states have faced. We have had war, dictatorship and oppression. We have new democracies and mature democracies. We have seen human rights grow. We have had economic growth and we had recessions. But we stand together as a union of 28 countries determined in our common values and our common approach and wanting not to interfere but to lead and show that there is a way of doing this that we know and understand and can offer to other people. "
She finished by saying: "For me what this next year is about is building the trust, making sure that wherever we are in the world, we are the most trusted critical friend, confident, reliable partner to work with them - even when that means delivering the most difficult messages."
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