IEP Lunch Debate with Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven: “The CFSP: Institutional Perspectives and Current Questions of European Foreign Policy”
IEP Lunch Debate on the topic “The CFSP: Institutional Perspectives and Current Questions of European Foreign Policy” with Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven, Director of the EU-COR Division, 19 October 2005, 12:30–14:30 in the Jean Monnet Building, Berlin.
At the center of this event stood the question of how institutional improvements in the CFSP, at least to a limited extent, can be reached through the constitutional treaty during the reflection period declared by the European Council. Also part of the discussion were pragmatic steps toward endowing the High Representative for CFSP with additional responsibilities, including in external representation in the participation of political dialogues and also in conducting council meetings, in order to remove some of the burdens from the presidency. Furthermore, measures already anchored in treaties are being undertaken to improve the coherence of the foreign policy behavior of the Union, which is frequently considered inadequate in EU practice. In addition, there are realistic considerations for achieving closer cooperation between the 25 in consular questions and implementing improvements for coordinated diplomatic action in third countries, for example, by leasing common office space and making use of joint services.
The current CFSP agenda formed the second main point of the talk. In addition to the further stabilization of the Western Balkans and especially a solution for Kosovo, EU policy toward Iran was raised, which is also institutionally noteworthy as the EU‑3 group (Great Britain, France, Germany) for the most part determine the overall European course. Finally, the growing civil and military crisis management operations of the EU drew attention. The most recent EU observer mission in Aceh, Indonesia for the oversight of the peace agreement between the government and the rebels, which was passed in September 2005 and initially planned for 6 months, is thus far considered a successful undertaking of the CFSP, carried out in close coordination with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
By: Elfriede Regelsberger