“I can only agree with High Representative Mogherini that the European Union is a global superpower. However, to be a real global player, the EU must look in all directions because we have neighbours in all four directions – north, south, east and west”, said Ojārs Ēriks Kalniņš, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Saeima on Thursday, 5 March as he opened the high-level conference on foreign policy and security in Riga.
This Interparliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy held in Riga on 5–6 March is one of the six interparliamentary events organised by the Saeima within the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
“One of the main goals of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU is to work together with our fellow member states in reinforcing the role of the EU in the global arena, but any commitment to a global community begins in our own back yard. This is why a renewed emphasis and comprehensive review of the European Neighbourhood Policy is so essential. However, our greatest challenges remain the east and the south. In both cases we are faced with a radically changed and destabilized security environment that is shaking the very foundations of world order”, emphasised Kalniņš.
The Chairman specifically addressed the situation in Ukraine: “Russia’s underlying responsibility for supporting the aggression in Ukraine is an established fact. It has been repeatedly noted by the EU, NATO, OSCE and other sources. Also, the Saeima has repeatedly and strongly condemned the annexation of Crimea. Nevertheless, Russia’s ongoing involvement in the conflict in Ukraine does not diminish the strategic importance of the Eastern Partnership. On the contrary, this policy in support of security, stability, the rule of law and democracy in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood is now an essential element of Europe’s security strategy. It is more important than ever before.”
Kalniņš also underlined that the Eastern Partnership Summit in Riga on May 21-22 will provide an opportunity to review and renew our commitment to the Eastern Partnership countries, adding that “Just as the needs and circumstances of each of these countries differ, so too should be the EU’s approach to each country; our policies and programs must be individualised and tailored to achieve real, sustainable results. We need to move forward on the implementation of Association agreements with Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. We need palpable progress in visa liberalization with all partner countries, including Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan, if they so choose.
The Chairman noted that the European Union’s Southern Neighbourhood is of equal importance. “Apart from the enormous humanitarian crisis in this region, terrorism, extremism, and conflict in this region pose a direct threat to all EU Member States. Illegal migration and human trafficking, serious problems in and of themselves, have been increased by the return to Europe of experienced terrorists and extremists. This alarming turn of events affects all our countries and endangers the security of all our citizens”, stated Kalniņš. In this context, he stressed the importance of the Union for the Mediterranean in encouraging bilateral relations between the EU and its southern partners.
Kalniņš on Central Asia: “Another way in which the Latvian Presidency is seeking to augment the global role of the EU is by focusing our attention on Central Asia. If the EU truly wishes to be a global player, our visibility in Central Asia is crucial. Among other things, we hope that our efforts will lead to a renewal of the post of EU Special Representative to this region.”
The Chairman emphasised the new security challenges Europe is facing: “At a national level we all agree that foreign policy is simply an extension of our domestic policies. This applies to the EU as a whole, especially when it comes to security. The unresolved conflicts on our borders are already undermining security within our borders. Moreover, the threat comes not only from bombs and bullets but also from the growing weaponisation of information. Kalniņš stressed that close cooperation between the EU and NATO is decisively important in countering hybrid threats, terrorism and information warfare”. He also emphasised that another target of disinformation is transatlantic trade agreements between the EU and its North American partners, Canada and the United States.
“The future of our countries and the European Union as a whole, depends upon on our ability to overcome differences and work together for the common good. I know that we can, and I am convinced that we will”, the Chairman concluded.
A live stream of the meeting will be available on the website of the Parliamentary Dimension of Latvian Presidency at http://parleu2015.lv/en For the programme of the meeting, please visit http://www.parleu2015.lv/files/cfsp-csdp/programme_cfsp_en-2.pdf
Saeima Press Service