European Union - through cooperation and dialogue
Route to Democracy, Human Rights and Peace
Recent EU Enlargement and the Decision to start Membership negotiations with Turkey, has led to an increased interest for information. Last weekend several diaries were listed on topics of EU and many comments were made. Judgements overal were harsch by the Dkos community, I dare to suggest judgement is often based on historical facts and not on present status and future development.
The EU is based on multilateralism and is still in its infancy, but has a goal of peaceful development in mind.
This diary is intented as an update to recent events and may be used as a source of reference to EU Members and Issue of Human Rights. The Union is not simply an economic and monetary union, but is on conditions for meeting the EU standard on Human Rights and International Law.
Pleasant reading and I hope is useful for further comments.
- GATEWAY to the European Union [EU] -
- The EU Strategic Partner In
Mediterranean and the Middle East
- EU Human Rights policy
- References and links
Read on below line:
[EC] European Council
EU Council Dec. 16-17 2004 Conclusions
[EU] European Union .
MAP of EU - World Nations - Relations
- Thessaloniki agenda, the future of the
countries of the Balkans within EU
- European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)
especially the Ukraine
- The EU Strategic Partnership with the
Mediterranean and the Middle East
- United Nations Secretary-General and
- EU Human Rights policy
QUOTE
Presidency Conclusions - Brussels, 16/17 December 2004
16238/04 17
EN
Thessaloniki agenda, the future of the
countries of the Balkans within EU
The EC reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the Thessaloniki agenda, which underlines that the future of the countries of the Balkans is within the EU. The recent ministerial meetings of the EU-Western Balkans Forum served to assess progress achieved and identify challenges ahead.
The EC underlined that the progress of each country towards European integration depended on its own efforts in meeting the Copenhagen criteria and the conditions of the Stabilisation and Association Process, in particular on key issues such as democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, rights of persons belonging to minorities, and full cooperation with the ICTY. In addition, in this process regional cooperation will remain an essential element of EU policy.
Presidency Conclusions - Brussels, 16/17 December 2004
16238/04 16
EN
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)
especially the Ukraine
The EC noted with satisfaction the progress made within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). A first series of Action Plans jointly prepared with Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Moldova, Ukraine, Israel and the Palestinian Authority were successfully finalised.
As concerns Ukraine, the EC reiterated the paramount importance of free and fair elections, as reflected in the action plan. It welcomed the agreement reached by the Council on the content of the action plan which will be forwarded to the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council as soon as developments in Ukraine make it possible to envisage implementation of its provisions.
The EU looked forward to working together with partners to implement reforms and other agreed priorities, and to start adopting Action Plans for the countries in the Southern Caucasus during the next year. The EU will take steps to communicate and demonstrate benefits of the ENP to the Belarussian
population and will support the strengthening of civil society and the process of democratisation.
The EC also looked forward to the start of consultations with a view to adopting Action Plans with the remaining Mediterranean partners whose Association Agreements have entered into force or which have ratified their Association Agreements. The EC invited the Commission and the High Representative to report regularly on progress accomplished.
The Barcelona Process, enhanced by the ENP,
partnership, cooperation and dialogue with
the Mediterranean Region
The Barcelona Process, enhanced by the ENP, is the main tool for partnership, cooperation and dialogue with the Mediterranean Region. The EC welcomed the decision taken by the Euromediterranean Conference of Foreign Ministers in the Hague to declare 2005 as year of the Mediterranean. The Barcelona Process can make a major contribution towards the process of modernisation and reform generated from within the societies concerned. The 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration will serve to strengthen and relaunch the Euromed process.
The EU Strategic Partnership with the
Mediterranean and the Middle East
The EC welcomed the progress made with the other countries of the Middle East region and invited further consultations with governments and other stakeholders concerned. It called on the relevant bodies of the Council to continue the work towards strengthening relations with these countries in all relevant political, economic, social and cultural fields.
Presidency Conclusions - Brussels, 16/17 December 2004
16238/04 17
EN
The EC welcomed the start of the implementation of the EU Strategic Partnership with the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It reiterated the importance of the commitment of the partners concerned to engage in reform and recognised that the EU's relations with these countries have distinct characteristics that merit a differentiated approach.
The EC adopted separate declarations on Ukraine and the Middle East Peace Process (Annexes I and II). An international order based on effective multilateralism
United Nations Secretary-General and
EU Human Rights policy
The EC welcomed the statement by the United Nations Secretary-General and saluted the work he and the UN Secretariat were doing in many fields. It welcomed the report of the United Nations Secretary-General's High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, in particular the comprehensive approach to collective security. The follow-up to the European Security Strategy regarding effective multilateralism and a rule-based international order, as requested by the EC in June, should aim at supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General. The EU is firmly determined to play a major role within the UN.
The EC welcomed the decision to appoint a Personal Representative of the SG/HR on Human Rights in the area of CFSP as a contribution to the coherence and continuity of the EU Human Rights policy, with due regard to the responsibilities of the Commission.
UNQUOTE
European Union -
100 million reasons for Cooperation for Peace
20th Century massacres and/or genocides
1917-1989 61,900,000 USSR
1949-1989 35,200,000 China Peoples Republic
1933-1945 21,000,000 Germany
1928-1949 10,100,000 China KMT
Post World War II in a number of countries deaths have resulted:
(est.) 2,000,000 each for Cambodia, North Korea, Vietnam war, Pakistan, Ruanda and South America's dictators vs. communist rebels.
USSR - former Soviet Union involved in World War I and II, part of Europe to Oeral Mountain range, not EU member.
Born a Liberal, voting Liberal, dying as a Liberal: á la Vie á la Mort
REFERENCES and EU links to:
EU - European Commission
EU - Trade Issue MAP to Country or Region
EU - Candidate Countries and NEW Members in 2004
CHINA - EU Bilateral Trade Relations
RUSSIA - EU Trade Relations
SYRIA - EU Finalize Association Agreement
TURKEY -EU Relations and Enlargement
UKRAINE - EU Trade Relations
OTHER USEFUL READING:
EU - European Council
The Council is the main decision-making body of the European Union.
EU - Environment and Climate Change Challenges
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD]
ILO - Int Labor Organisation
EU - International Court of Justice
EU Constitution
SOME DUTCH LEADERS IN DEPTH:
The EU Presidency and Youth
Netherlands Government EU presidency - Jan Peter Balkenende
UNHCR UN High Commisioner on Human Rights - Ruud Lubbers
NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
[Diary EC - European Council]