One of the European Parliament’s key roles is to represent the European Union on the international stage. Parliament helps to create a political vision for Europe and its dealings with the rest of the world.
Foreign policy
The EU may be an economic giant but it remains weak in terms of its influence on world affairs. Developing a common foreign policy will boost the EU’s credentials as a world superpower.
The Maastricht Treaty of 1993 established the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP). The policy requires member states to co-ordinate their foreign policies and uphold a common position in international affairs. Maastricht also paved the way for the progressive creation of a common defence policy.
A mechanism for co-ordinating the foreign policies of the member states, CFSP involves aligning the foreign policy objectives of member states and, where possible, forging common positions and co-ordinated actions. Despite some co-ordinated actions such as the administration in Bosnia the EU has avoided being drawn into international conflict such as the peace keeping operations in Iraq and tensions in the Middle East.
The Amsterdam Treaty of 1999, established a high representative who would be responsible for CFSP for a five year term of office. Referred to as Mr CFSP, the first high representative was the Spaniard Javier Solana who was appointed in 1999.
Consulting parliament
On 29 October 2004, foreign ministers of the member states signed the Constitutional Treaty in order to strengthen the European Parliament’s role in foreign policy matters.
While the CFSP co-ordinates the foreign policies of the Member States of the European Union, the Council’s role is to consult with and keep the European Parliament updated on foreign policy matters. Parliament may put foreign policy questions to the Council and make recommendations.
The European Parliament has a link with the EU’s High Representative for the CFSP through its Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). Parliament is also consulted on international and trade agreements between the EU and third countries and gives its assent to the accession of new EU Member States.
The foreign affairs committee (AFET)
AFET, the foreign affairs committee coordinates the work of joint parliamentary committees and parliamentary cooperation committees as well as that of the interparliamentary delegations, ad hoc delegations and election observation missions.
AFET is responsible for
- The common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the European security and defence policy (ESDP). There is also a subcommittee on security and defence;
- Relations with other EU institutions and bodies, the UNO and other international organisations and interparliamentary assemblies.
- Strengthening of political relations with third countries, by means of major cooperation and assistance programmes or international agreements.
- Negotiating and monitoring the process of accession of European States to the Union;
- Human rights issues such as the protection of minorities and the promotion of democratic values in third countries. AFET is assisted by a subcommittee on human rights.
Relations with the world
The European Parliament helps the European Union play an active role in globalisation issues through its relations with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Created in 1995, the WTO is an international organisation whose 146 represent a permanent forum for discussing the issues and establishing the ground rules for international trade.
The European Parliament gives its assent to the outcomes of negotiations undertaken by the European Union within the WTO by making recommendations to the European Commission, the Union’s main negotiator.
The European Parliament has called for greater transparency in the way the WTO does business. In particular it proposes setting up a a parliamentary assembly to make the public more aware of the inner workings of the WTO and the decisions it takes.
Defending human rights
The defence of human rights throughout the world is given a high priority by the European Parliament, issues which are addressed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. The European Parliament’s policy is to champion the interests of its citizens in relation to social justice, economic welfare and issues encountered by developing countries.
Each year, the European Parliament publishes reports on the human rights situation in countries within and outside the European Union.
Once a month, the European Parliament holds debates on cases of breaches of human rights, and the rule of law. The European Parliament condemns governments that violate democratic standards and draws public attention to these human rights breaches.
The European Parliament established the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1988. The prize named in honour of the Russian nuclear physicist Andrei Sakharov, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975 is awarded to individuals or international organisations who have championed human rights.
Freedom, security and justice
Freedom, security and justice are three areas of major concern to the citizens of Europe.
The European Union promotes the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the Union through the legal systems of member states.
This involves a commitment to combat all forms of crime and extends to terrorism, and racism. Citizens have the right to move freely within the European Union without hindrance.
In the area of freedom, security and justice, Parliament acts as co-legislator with the Council on laws that support citizens’ rights.
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
The decision to draw up a Charter of Fundamental Rights for the European Union was taken at the Cologne European Council, held on 3 and 4 June 1999.
The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union proclaimed the Charter of Fundamental Rights on 7 December 2000, during the Nice European Council.
The Charter defines the common values of member states and outlines the Union’s core values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity based upon the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights brings together in a single text all the civil, political, economic and social rights of European citizens and of all those living in the Union. These rights are divided into six main chapters: Dignity, Freedoms, Equality, Solidarity, Citizens’ Rights and Justice.
Since 2001, the European Parliament has drawn up an annual report on the rights enshrined in the Charter. If the Constitution enters into force, then EU institutions and member states will be legally bound to observe and uphold them.