2006 annual report on the CFSP

The European Parliament adopted by 520 votes to 107, with 17 abstentions, a resolution on the 2006 Annual report on the CFSP.

The own initiative report had been tabled for consideration in plenary by Jacek SARYUSZ-WOLSKI (EPP-ED, PL) on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

In its resolution, the Parliament notes that from its inception, the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) and the ESDP (European Security and Defence Policy), have helped to strengthen the European identity and the EU's role as a global player. It takes the view however that the EU's role in the world is not commensurate to its potential and that it should have clear objectives and effective means, speaking with one voice. The CFSP must also obtain more democratic legitimacy by enabling the Parliament to exercise real scrutiny in respect of this policy.

The 2006 Annual Report on CFSP: while noting the Council’s 2006 report, the Parliament expects the next annual report to take into account the relevant resolutions and/or recommendations adopted by Parliament. The EP should more systematically adopt positions on each successive stage of CFSP and ESDP decision–making and common positions and joint actions should better take into account those positions adopted by Parliament.

The Parliament considers that CFSP priorities should be as follows:

1. Horizontal priorities: priority should be given to a limited number of subjects, particularly: (a) issues of current concern for Europe (such as terrorism and organised crime); (b) energy security, climate change and sustainable development; (c) improvement of stability in the neighbouring regions; (d) crisis management and conflict prevention and resolution; (e) the non-dissemination of weapons of mass destruction; (f) migration management; (g) the promotion of human rights and civil liberties. The Parliament calls for the creation of appropriate structures and procedures aimed at improving crisis management through, for example, the development of a legal framework which defines the right to intervene and the obligation to protect in crisis situations. The Parliament also calls on the High Representative for CFSP to closely analyse the European Security Strategy with the help of all parties concerned, by focusing improvements to this policy on respect for international law, effective multilateralism, the right of citizens worldwide to be protected, conflict prevention and disarmament. These improvements should be made in close consultation with the European Parliament and national parliaments.

At the same time, the Parliament considers that the Union's dependence on energy from unstable or undemocratic countries and regions poses a serious problem. That is why it recommends wide-ranging diversification of energy sources and energy transport routes as well as increased solidarity in energy security policy among EU Member States. It deplores, in particular, the uncoordinated signing of bilateral energy agreements by Member States (which call into question the strategic projects of the Union as a whole). Furthermore, it calls for the creation of the post of High Official for Foreign Energy Policy under the authority of the future High Representative.

2. Priorities in the geographical areas: the Parliament is of the view that the Union's enlargement and integration process remains a key foreign policy priority. However, stability in the Western Balkans should remain the top priority. In this context, dialogue with Serbia and Kosovo should be intensified and efforts should be made to improve the situation of minorities in all the countries of the Western Balkans… The other main priority is the strengthening of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), given that the persistence of unresolved conflicts in the ENP countries represents a serious challenge to the security of the EU's external borders. Other areas must also be tackled such as developing economic cooperation, political stability and democracy in the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea. The Parliament also underlines the need to strengthen the transatlantic alliance by focusing discussions with the United States on civil conflict prevention, the international legal order, peace and disarmament, sustainable development and combating poverty. Lastly, the two main areas that also merit the full attention of CFSP are the EU’s relations with Russia (focusing on the issue of energy) and negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. The plenary therefore calls for negotiations between the parties in conflict in the Middle East to be reopened, in accordance with the Annapolis Agenda.

The Parliament also focuses on other main issues that must be tackled by CFSP: nuclear non-proliferation, implementation of a comprehensive Central Asia strategy, the promotion of international solidarity, stability, peace and democratic development (for example, in Afghanistan or in African or South American countries). Particular attention should also be paid to China, which remains a topic of great concern following the events in Tibet.

The Treaty of Lisbon: the Parliament welcomes the improvements brought about by the Treaty of Lisbon regarding external action, the CFSP and the ESDP and urges parliamentary scrutiny of its policies. It calls on the Council to respond in a substantive manner to the concerns expressed in formal communications from Parliament on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Other wishes are expressed such as the review of Council-Parliament relations to take account of the major reforms of the future CSDP. An interinstitutional agreement between Parliament and the Council should therefore be established, in order to define their working relations in this area. At the same time, the Parliament requests that the future High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission take office together with the new Commission on 1 November 2009. While the Treaty of Lisbon is yet to enter into force, it suggests that a temporary solution be found. In any case, an ad hoc hearing procedure needs to be established within the Parliament for the nomination of the High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission since this highly symbolic role will draw its legitimacy directly from the European Parliament.

Financing of the CFSP: the Parliament regrets the unnecessary complexity of the arrangements for the rapid financing of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) activities planned by the new treaty (outside the EU budget). It therefore requests the initiation of a structured dialogue between the Council and Parliament. Furthermore, it regards the total amount of EUR 1 740 million allocated to the CFSP for the period 2007-2013 as insufficient to achieve the ambitions and specific goals of the EU as a global player, while recognising that the CFSP funding agreed for 2008, amounting to EUR 285 million, represents an important step forward compared to previous allocations of funds.

Lastly, the Parliament notes that it will make specific proposals about the financing and budgetary control of the European External Action Service (EEAS), as it will have a significant impact on the Union’s external relations.