Foundations debate 'EU in the world' in sunny Sofia

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Published Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:52
by Editor in EU in the world (454 views and 2 comments)

Social democratic European foundations are working hard to contribute to a PES manifesto based on progressive values. The first meeting of the European Network of Social-Democratic Foundations (ENSoF) took place on 29 March 2008 in the beautiful city of Sofia, under the coordinating wing of the Institute for Social Integration of Bulgaria, to debate issues related to the manifesto theme ‘EU in the world’.

There was a general agreement on the need to have a more transparent and more accountable EU foreign policy, in order to ensure that European citizens are aware that, besides the gaps that are always highlighted in the news headlines, the EU is quite successful in its external policies - for instance in its projects and missions in Eastern European countries. Discussions addressed the need to reinforce strategic partnerships with key international actors such as the United States and Russia. A strong and independent European security and defence policy was viewed as a way to ensure the EU can act alone, even militarily, when required, even without the support of the United States and of NATO – but always in full respect of international law. Representatives of the foundations agreed that the main priorities for the PES should be enlargement and the European neighbourhood policy, the Middle East conflict, and disarmament.

Participants gladly turned their backs to the sunny weather outside to discuss what they felt should be priorities for the EU foreign policy, with the aim of coming up with a joint written contribution to the PES manifesto consultation. This final document will be published shortly in the documents section of Yourspace. Your can already find contributions on Yourspace from a number of ENSoF members - including the Institute for Social Integration (Bulgaria), the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (Germany), Fondation Jean Jaures (France), and the Fundatia Institutul Ovidiu Sincai (Romania).

Tags: defence, disarmement, Middle East, multilateralism, neighbours, Russia, security, USA

Comments

1. Interesting meeting! by fairness Join PES activists on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:59

It's good to know that we have foundations and think thanks to support Europe's socialist parties! I particularly agree with the point about the Middle East being a priority for the PES (and the PES manifesto). Europe's socialists need to offer our particular view on how to manage relations to the Middle East - and not take over the rhetorics of the conservatives. We should speak with one voice about human rights and intercultural dialogue.

2. How can we build the capacity for civil society in Palestine and Israel? by noelhatch Join PES activists on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 22:18

Compass Youth would gladly get involved as a campagining think tank, who develop ideas and campaign with other progressive groups to ensure they turn into reality. See here http://www.compassyouth.org/

On the Middle East issue, I would propose that the PES works to strengthen civil society capacity in Palestine and Israel to push for change, so the agenda is representative of the will of the majority rather than subject to the minority of hardliners, spoilers and absolutists. 

One Voice have been doing some interesting work on this and participated in one of our debates on the PES Manifesto (videos and summaries coming up!). Here's a brief description here http://compassyouth.blogspot.com/2007/10/palestinians-and-israelis-are-taking-to.html 

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