MidnightCall Magazine
News From Israel MagazineEU Foreign Policy Expected to Enter “New Era”
The European Parliament is seeking to bolster its role in the bloc's common foreign and security policy (CFSP), with senior MEPs saying it is time for Europe to become a "player and not just a payer" on the world stage.Polish centre-right MEP and head of the foreign affairs committee, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, says that EU foreign is moving "from one era to another" with the new Lisbon Treaty, due to kick in next year.
The proposed new EU foreign minister and diplomatic service as well as the possibility for a group of member states to move ahead in defense cooperation mean foreign policy is "one of the most innovative parts of the treaty." Euro-deputies will today debate a report that sets out principles for the EU's foreign policy – such as respect for human rights – calls for certain issues to be prioritized and says that the CFSP budget from now until 2013 is "insufficient." "Either we have to beef up foreign policy financially, or we have to rethink whether we really want to be a global player," said Mr Saryusz-Wolski, who traveled to Paris to discuss the issue with the incoming French EU presidency. The report also calls for parliament to be given greater democratic oversight over the area, which to date has remained firmly the domain of member states.Mr. Saryusz-Wolski, who believes the union will gradually develop its own army, says it is no longer enough that the bloc exercises its traditional role as a soft power.
“Too often we spend money without any conditions being attached. I am against Europe being a payer and not a player,” he said.
But he admits there is a "fear" in the parliament that the foreign minister and the new permanent president of the European Council may add to the trill of voices on the EU stage all claiming to speak for Europe and may not turn Europe into a player.-euobserver.com, 4 June 2008
The many proposals and counter-proposals that are being shelved in Brussels may give the impression that the EU is hopelessly lost in its own complicated and over-inflated democracy. But when one looks back 25 years or more, and realizes the unbelievable progress that has been made, then it becomes clear that Europe will continue to be striving towards a unified goal, “United in diversity.” Here we are reminded of Daniel 7:23: “Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.”
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