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A future coherent and active European foreign policy

A future coherent and active European foreign policy

The Union has to influence its neighbourhood and the world by promoting peace, stability, prosperity and security. To achieve significant results, we need a coherent and active foreign policy. The EDP argues that the EU and its Member States should speak with one decisive voice on the major issues of today's world. The current situation of weak policies does not reflect the true potential of the Union. We should further revise our internal rules of decision making and engagement in international affairs to become truly effective and more respected, to transform the Union from a soft power to a global player.

The future European foreign policy should be based on a crucial fact: Europe is not only a continent, not only a political and cultural area, not only an economic area, but above all, Europe is a worldwide conflict resolution tool. This is the way we are seen all around the world, and our foreign policy must be based on that. We came from a secular ‘war territory’, with ‘hereditary enemies’, into a peace and development democratic entity, whose purpose is to be a ‘peace builder’.

In the world, the United States remains our ally and an important interlocutor, but we must resolve through dialogue and persuasion the issues currently raised concerning trade and tariffs. On the other hand, Russia and its role in the world cannot be overlooked. There are aspects of conflict and of important cooperation between European Union and the Russian government which we should continue working on with determination. With the emerging global powers our trade agreements and active diplomacy are essential. In this respect, the common foreign policy should focus on a genuine partnership between the European Union and the African Union.

Our neighbourhood policies should be pursued more vigorously. We have to engage more actively with our Western Balkan neighbours. We have to convince them to abandon nationalistic rhetoric, to respect good neighbourly relations, to embrace whole heartedly democratic standards and reform their economy and administration.

The EDP supports the position of the Greek Centrists' Union (Enosi Kentroon) calling for the Greek people to decide in a referendum, after the national elections in Greece, on the definitive name of FYROM, since the Greek citizens were not consulted before the Prespes Agreement was signed.

Regarding the situation in Cyprus, a European solution necessarily implies the withdrawal of the Turkish army and settlers as well as the abolition of the system of guarantees by the States that are involved, a system that has in the past paved the way for military intervention.

Further East, the Ankara government pursues an aggressive policy abroad and an authoritarian policy within its borders. It should be clear that all forms of aggression against EU Member States including Cyprus and Greece or non-EU countries such as Syria and Iraq, must stop. Turkey has to recognise the existence of the Kurdish people and grant them the necessary degree of autonomy.

Our Eastern Partnership is essential, especially with partners with whom we have signed Association Agreements (e.g. Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova), but also with other partners which have different needs and perspectives (e.g. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus). Equally, our Southern Neighbourhood which is more diverse cannot be overlooked. We must find realistic and tailor-made solutions to attract North African and Arab countries near us. The Union should continue engaging in the Middle East peace process. Eastern and Southern dimensions of our external policy action should be balanced.