Published Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 10:12
by
markus.austria
in EU in the world (204 views and 1 comments)
In my post I would like to adress the following questions as
proposed in the discussion paper (available at the
top of this page or here):
2. What sort of UN reform should the EU
propose?
I think that - in the longterm - the UN Security Council should be
replaced by the UN General Assembly as the central decision making
body within the UN umbrella. To this end, I think it will be
necessary to elect UN representatives in direct elections to arrive
at a sort of 'world elections' in a manifestation of the supremacy
of democracy over other, more exclusive forms of government.
4. How should the EU work efficiently with
NATO?
I think we should think about developing military structures on a
European level outside NATO in order to indenpendently carry out
missions covered by the Petersberg tasks and the UN. Also, I think
the EU member states actively engaged in the NATO should press the
US to restrain from engaging private contractors in conflic regions
(keyword: Blackwater).
8. What actions should be undertaken by the EU to achieve
the UN Millennium Goals?
I think that the sole establishment of a headline number, such as
0.7 percent of GDP spent on Development Aid, will not be sufficient
to face the challenge of economic (and social!) prosperity in...
read more
Published Friday, February 8, 2008 at 10:47
by
Gail Hurley
in EU in the world (464 views and 0 comments)
The Party of European
Socialists is asking citizens what Europe should stand for in the
world, and how it can promote democracy, human rights and
sustainable development. Many policy-makers in developed countries
are currently talking about 'responsible lending' to developing
countries. This follows recent rounds of debt cancellation for the
poorest countries and fears that these very same countries will
quickly re-accumulate unpayable debt all over again.
Many Western creditor countries have also been quick to point the
finger at newer lenders, such as China, India, Brazil and Venezuela
arguing that these countries are lending irresponsibly to the
poorest nations and do not care about human rights or environmental
protection in the activities they finance. What should the EU do -
and stand for - in such circumstances?
It would be easy for European lenders - both governments and
private banks - to initiate a 'race to the bottom' arguing that
Europe's financiers need to compete for business in the developing
world and therefore cannot adhere to standards on transparency or
social and environmental protection. Instead, the EU must seize the
opportunity to raise the bar much higher and make the finance it
offers of excellent quality. It is in this spirit that the European
Network on Debt and Development...
read more
The Spanish socialist party, PSOE, goes into the national elections with a
much-debated proposal to tackle brain drain. Javier Moreno, member of the European
Parliament for PSOE, gives the lowdown in this video:
What do you think – should the PES manifesto include this proposal
in its manifesto?
read more
‘EPAs’ – the
expression itself sounds harmless, but these trade agreements with
poor countries are really a hot topic for debate!
Right now the European Union is negotiating trade agreements with
77 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. If the developing
world and the EU have not reached an agreement before the end of
the year the 77 countries risk being left with a much less
advantageous deal. The deadline for the negotiations has just been
extended - buying both the EU and the developing countries more
precious time to think.
If you ask the poor countries signing the current offer from the EU
is not exactly a dream come true either. EPAs will open developing
economies to an extent never seen before. Poor countries are
concerned that increased liberalization will allow international
companies to ‘prey’ on their markets. ActionAid, an
international NGO, fears consequences such as job losses, cuts in
public services and government revenue losses.
The issue gets more complicated as the World Trade Organization
(WTO) and its members have a word to say as well. Other developing
countries - those who are not among the 77 offered EPAs - are
unlikely to accept such favouritism. One could also argue that
the...
read more
in EU in the world (204 views and 1 comments)
PES manifesto consultation.pdf
The Party of European
Socialists is asking citizens what Europe should stand for in the
world, and how it can promote democracy, human rights and
sustainable development. Many policy-makers in developed countries
are currently talking about 'responsible lending' to developing
countries. This follows recent rounds of debt cancellation for the
poorest countries and fears that these very same countries will
quickly re-accumulate unpayable debt all over again.
‘EPAs’ – the
expression itself sounds harmless, but these trade agreements with
poor countries are really a hot topic for debate!
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