Franco Frattini on 'New Europe' magazine: "more muscular approach to EU foreign policy needed"
In an exclusive interview, the former European Commissioner and Italian minister for foreign affairs talks about the foreign affairs objectives that will underline the foreign and security policy of the European People’s Party; including widening relations with the EU’s southern and eastern neighbours, and strengthening relations with NATO and the US.
Former Italian Foreign Minister
and Vice-President of the European Commission Franco Frattini has outlined
the five major principles that will be
discussed by the European People’s Party’s (EPP) ad-hoc working group on
foreign affairs.
In an exclusive interview
Frattini explained: “There are several main priorities which one of them is the
eastern dimension of EU foreign policy,
and that is also to increase the focus on the western Balkans and have a
greater role of supervising its development.”
“There
is also the southern dimension to
consider of the European neighbourhood, and how to ensure that Europe is a
major protagonist considering the Arab springs, and the situation with Tunisia,
Libya and Egypt, and of course Syria and the emergency situation that exists
there.”
The
working group also wants to strengthen Europe’s relationship with the US, with cooperation over NATO roles on the
agenda.
New Europe Print Edition (Issue 993) |
“Another main pillar of the
working group will be to relaunch our
relationship with the US, and we are particularly interested in
implementing a new NATO strategy, where we should be looking to broaden the
scope of our operations, but this will be discussed at the next NATO summit.”
“We
should also think about how we can extend
the cooperation between the EU and the US in how we can face the
international economic crises together, and also how we can overcome obstacles
in trade agreements to achieve a smoother path of commerce.”
Religious
and human rights along with more controlled immigration complete the list of
policy areas that the EPP wishes to concentrate on.
“There
are issues related to human rights
and we need to discuss, and how to better protect human rights even outside of
Europe.” Frattini continued.
“For
example in Christian communities like in
Nigeria, we should make it a priority in to protect the rights of Christian
minorities, and Europe need to do more than it has done.”
“Immigration where it is illegal should
also be looked at, they gain employment in industries such as agricultural, and
we need a strategy for this issue in a human way.”
Frattini
is also confident that the working group can be of influence and produce
results.
“The
working group will have several eminent
personalities there, and there will be members of national and European
parliaments from 16 different member states.”
“Although
what is special is our consultation with civil society, in September there will be exchanges of ideas where different
proposals will be presented and part of a consultation process. We have
also invited the community of bloggers who have been approached for the first
time by the party, so we have a broad range of opinions to be discussed.”
Without pointing the finger
towards any parliamentary group, Frattini feels that Brussels has not been proactive enough on
foreign affairs, with a more
muscular approach needed.
“I
think that Europe needs to take more stronger positions on international
affairs. The weaknesses from Europe have included how it has dealt with the
Arab developments; the Mediterranean sea is what Europe, Africa and the Middle
East all have in common, and we need to be more proactive.”
“Also
in particular religious rights need
to be protected more, and Europe needs to take the initiative more in the
emerging countries such as the BRIC nations, Europe’s foreign policy should be
stronger.”
Despite
several different countries and organisations taking part Frattini believes that the EPP can pull together, and present a united
front in attempting to solve foreign policy issues.
“The
EPP will be in the condition to present some original ideas to have a improved
strategy in the international arena.” He concluded.
In
October the party will convene in Bucharest for their next annual congress,
where the final conclusions of the working group are expected to be revealed.
About the Author: Peter Taberner has
previously written for Financial News, Investment and Pensions Europe,
Utility Week, EGOV Monitor, European Pensions, Suite101.com, PPP Bulletin,
Global Pensions Weekly, Tobacco Journal International, IPS and Seeurope.net.
Pubblicato da Franco Frattini
il giorno 6.7.12. per la sezione
English Version,
PPE,
Press Room,
Ultime Notizie,
Ultimi post
.
Puoi essere aggiornato sui post, i commenti degli utenti e le risposte utilizzando il servizio di RSS 2.0.
Scrivi un commento e partecipa anche tu alla discussione su questo tema.