MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK EU today

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK EU today and beyond: Challenges and opportunities Sarajevo 20 th of May 2011

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK EU ENLARGEMENT: THE SOFT POWER OF ATTRACTION • A strong incentive for the participating countries to pursue an ambitious reform agenda in a wide array of policy fields: Economy, judiciary, public sector, social dialogue, environment… • Such reforms are also difficult. Therefore the positive incentives in the form of Stabilization and Association agreements, pre-accession assistance and further steps in strengthening the relationship with the EU. • Philosophy is: If we interact by the same standards our citizens, our businesses, our societies will all benefit. History has shown the success of that approach. • With order in our own house, we will also be better able to make Europe’s voice heard in the globalised world. 2

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK CANDIDATES AND POTENTIAL CANDIDATES • Any European country which respects the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law may apply to become a member of the Union. • The ”Copenhagen criteria” • 4 CANDIDATE COUNTRIES: Croatia, Turkey, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Montenegro. Accession negotiations with the first two started on 3 October 2005. • ALL WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES ARE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES: All have a European perspective as and when they are ready. 3

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK Bi. H: THE WAY FORWARD • Membership application in 2011/2012? • A complex negotiation process covering thematic chapters. • Denmark negotiated for 10 years. Croatia has been negotiating since 2005. • Foreseen challenges in Bi. H are the formation of government and the willingness to carry out the necessary reforms in order for the SAA agreement to be implemented thereby paving the way for a credible membership application. • Progress in the negotiations are based on merit and the fulfilment of concrete benchmarks. 35 With a committed effort, Bi. H has the same perspective as Croatia and Serbia. Regional cooperation also crucial. 4

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK A NEW FRAMEWORK: THE LISBON TREATY • In force from 1 st of December 2009 • 3 basic concerns: • A better functioning EU • A more democratic EU closer to its citizens • A more effective and coherent EU on the global scene. 5

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK MOST IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES • European Council President: Herman van Rompuy • Elected for 2½ years. • Can be reelected 1 x • Chosen for his compromise making abilities • Continuity • Responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Union 6

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK MOST IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES • High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy: Catherine Ashton • Same term as Commission • Solana+, Commission vice president and permanent president of the GAC • Main actor in the common foreign and security policy • Responsible for cohesion between the policies, including development policy 7

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK THE EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE • A new European diplomatic service • A structure supporting Ashton • Headquarters in Brussels. • But also delegations - now ”EU delegations” representing the EU in third countries. • New possibilities – strengthening coherence between policy fields. • Thinking through the EU’s relations to its strategic partners 8

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK THE ECONOMY AT THE CORE OF THE CURRENT EU AGENDA 9

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK PROVIDING A EUROPEAN RESPONSE 1/2 Economic and financial situation • • Focus on strengthening financial regulation and supervision in Europe • 10 Strong commitment for an EU-level engagement to counter the consequences of the financial and economic crisis Importance of the Euro for domestic EU economies has been underlined. Without the Euro, situation would have been much worse.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK PROVIDING A EUROPEAN RESPONSE 2/2 Relaunching the European Economy • Europe 2020 strategy • Relaunching the Single Market – a traditional Danish priority • EU ”Competitiveness Pact” • Enhanced economic cooperation Strengthening the Stability and Growth Pact Establishing a permanent crisis mechanism and strengthening current mechanisms New surveillance of macroeconomic imbalances and assessments of consolidation efforts in Member States. 11

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK DANISH EU PRESIDENCY IN 2012 12

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK DANISH EU PRESIDENCY • 1 st semester 2012 • Trio presidency with Poland Cyprus • Presidency programme and 18 month programme covering the trio presidency. • Focus on European growth, issues close to Europe’s citizens and the EU’s global role. • One of the expected main tasks: Negotiating the Financial Framework 2014 -2020 13

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK DANISH EU PRIORITIES • Relaunching the European economy, stimulating growth and job creation • Negotiations on the next Financial Framework 2014 -2020 • Ensuring continued success of the EU’s eastern enlargement. Also Iceland. • Research, development and innovation • Sustainable development – climate/energy • Democracy, transparency, subsidiarity • Challenge: Communicating the EU to the citizens - and the press 14

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF DENMARK Questions? 15