External Policy

With the size of the European Union growing, the force of the EU on the international stage becomes stronger, making the need for effective and comprehensive external policy greater. The direction and goal of European Union External Policy is to work towards one voice on external issues and make the EU an important and influential "Global Actor".

In July 2006, the Commission decided on three important objectives to increase the EU's voice and profile on the world stage:

• Implement better planning strategies

• Increase cooperation between the relevant EU institutions and actors

• Open up a dialogue and cooperation between the European Union officials and the relevant authorities of the Member States

External Policy can be divided into sub-areas including :

Englargement
One successful instrument of external policy thus far has been enlargment. As the borders of the EU grow to include more members, the goal of peace and stability in Europe grows as well.

European Neighbourhood Policy
In order to ensure peace and security around the European Union, the EU has developed a neighbourhood policy that aims to promote closer cooperation and stability with States neighboring the EU with no prospect for membership.

External Trade
As the largest trading partner in the world, the EU utilizes trade to spread security and prosperity around the world and encourage trade with developing countries.

Development Policy
The goal of development policy is overall eradication of poverty with a focus on sustainable development. The EU has identified eight Millennium Development Goals to work towards when providing development aid to countries and areas in need :

• Alleviate poverty and hunger

• Make education available to all children

• Encourage women rights and gender equality

• Improve the health services available to children

• Increase maternal health services

• Stop the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

• Sustainable development

• Encourage cooperation on a global scale in the area of development

Common Foreign Security Policy (CFSP)
Formed in the Maastricht Treaty and improved upon in the Amsterdam Treaty, the EU's CFSP attempts to give the EU one voice and action in the field of foreign policy. The actions and work of CFSP are done in accordance with five commonc onbjectives:

• Protect the values, borders, interests and independence of the EU

• Make the Union a secure place for its citizens

• Promote international peace

• Encourage international cooperation

• Spread democracy, the rule of law and human rights

Humanitarian Aid
As one of the largest providers of Aid in the world, the Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission, better known as ECHO, ensures the quick delivery of aid to countries and areas in need due to war, natural disaster or other problems and thus provides a positive face for the EU in relations with these countries in need.

More information:
DG External relations