EU at a crossroads

In many ways, this 12th Belgian EU presidency will differ from the 11 previous ones.

Our presidency coincides with a crucial stage in the implementation of the Lisbon treaty, which partially changes our European institutional architecture, including in the area of foreign affairs.

The Lisbon treaty created the post of high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, held by Catherine Ashton, in a changing global context. Europe’s global influence is under pressure now that the emerging powers are claiming their place on the world stage.

It is difficult to make any predictions about the future balance of power in the world but one thing is certain: if we want the EU to remain the most important regional organisation in the world and one of the main actors for peace, security and prosperity, we should speak with one single voice.

Catherine Ashton’s appointment allows us to do just this. However, we should realise that the high representative is faced with a daunting challenge, especially if you consider that the key instrument which should assist her on a daily basis, the European external action service, is not yet available.

That is why I have offered Ashton the support of the Belgian diplomatic corps, both in Brussels to preside over the working groups as abroad in countries without an EU delegation or where there is no head of delegation. In all of these instances, Belgian diplomats will act on her behalf and under her guidance.

This can of course only be a temporary solution. We really hope to be able to start a new chapter in the EU’s foreign policy by the end of 2010: a chapter with a European diplomatic service, led by Ashton, which will enable a stronger, more structured and more coherent EU foreign policy.

Apart from the well-known international foreign policy issues, there is one specific area in which I, personally, hope to see some progress in the months to come: the EU’s capability for swift action and crisis management in the framework of disaster response.

Forest fires around the Mediterranean, the earthquake in Haiti, the eruption of volcanic ash, recent floods in Poland, France and Romania: all of these disasters have each time tested our response capability. I believe this is a priority area for the EU, as for the time being our response is still not satisfactory.

Ashton and EU humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva have started a reflection on the basis of the “lessons learned” exercise following the Haiti earthquake. They will come with concrete proposals in a communication, to be presented in autumn. I hope this will enable us to develop our crisis response capability and to prepare the ground for the implementation of some of the promising provisions in the Lisbon treaty, like for instance the solidarity clause.

EU enlargement is one of the other major themes that we will discuss in the coming months. I will play the role of an ‘honest broker’ as chair of the general affairs council. This means that we maintain the European perspective for the candidate countries with the ultimate goal of EU membership once the conditions have been met.

I believe it is both in the EU’s interest and in the interest of the candidate countries to be well prepared for new steps in the enlargement process. This is a sensitive issue among EU member states, but we will do our very best to find a consensus in view of bringing the candidate countries closer to the European Union, its values, legislative framework and political and economic system.

As I said, Belgium wants to contribute to a stronger and more coherent EU foreign policy and will give its full support to Ashton as high representative. As a result, the Belgian presidency might enjoy less visibility, but that is a risk I am willing to take. What matters to me, is not our international visibility but our ability to make progress in tackling the numerous challenges we are facing.

If we want to avoid the EU to be sidelined in times of international crises or when important challenges arise, we have to act as one. The Lisbon Treaty gives us the tools to do this. Let’s finish the job.