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World events are constantly challenging the Union to act with the determination and cohesion expected of a world entity of its population size and economic strength. The Treaty on European Union, which came into force in November 1993, responded by fixing as a Union objective 'the implementation of a common foreign and security policy including the eventual framing of a common defence policy'.
The Treaty says that the objectives of a CFSP are:
to safeguard the common values, fundamental interests and independence of the Union;
to strengthen the security of the Union and its Member States in all ways;
to preserve peace and strengthen international security, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter as well as the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and the objectives of the Paris Charter;
to promote international cooperation;
to develope and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The common foreign and security policy and its instruments
Decision-making - it is the European Council of Heads of State or Government and the Council of Ministers which have overall control: the European Council only defines the principles and general guidelines for CFSP. However, the European Commission participates in all discussions, as well as the European Parliament, but it has no direct powers.
Common positions - once a common position has been defined by the Council, Member States must ensure that their national policies conform to it.
Joint actions - these commit the Member States to acting in a certain way in support of a common position. These included the convoying of humanitarian aid in Bosnia-Herzegovina and sending observers to parliamentary elections in Russia. The Stability Pact for Central Europe, was the result of a successful joint action.
Enlarging the European Union
The Commission has begun an analytical examination of the "acquis communautaire" on 3 April 1998 with the countries with which negotiations have not yet started: Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovak Republic.
The accession to the European Union of the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe requires the strengthening of their institutional and administrative capacity. These countries must establish a modern, efficient administration that is capable of applying the acquis communautaire to the same standards as the current Member States.
While support for investment will help candidate countries bring their economic and social structures into line with Community standards, it will not be sufficient to prepare them for EU membership. Institution building will help them to reinforce their institutional and administrative capacity to the point where they are ready to take on the obligations of membership and to get the most out of joining the EU. Institution building means developing the structures, human resources and management skills needed to implement the acquis. Institution building also means opening Community programmes, such as Leonardo, Socrates, etc., to the participation of the candidate countries.
On March 25, 1998, the European Commission approved Accession Partnerships for the 10 applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEEC's). Each Accession Partnership (AP) will help applicants to achieve such objectives as strengthening democracy and the rule of law, protection of minorities, economic reform, reinforcement of institutional and administrative capacity, preparation for full participation in the internal market, justice and home affairs, agriculture, environment, transport, employment and social affairs, regional policy and cohesion.
Реферат опубликован: 4/03/2009