Foreign relations

Acting as one. One Common Foreign Policy.

Europe United believes that within the realm of foreign policy the EU needs to act as one. It is in this area that some of the greatest benefits of true unity are to be had and many of the biggest threats can be avoided. It is abundantly clear that issues such as climate change, geopolitical threats and terrorism are well beyond the capacities of individual Member States to deal with. It is necessary when tensions become acute that Europe speaks "as one" so that the voice of Europe has the weight it deserves. The ideas of "true unity in foreign policy" and "acting as one" are utterly fundamental to the building of a United Europe.
Europe United believes that a credible common foreign policy should be established throughout the EU so that greater sovereignty can be achieved by increasing our influence abroad.

EU foreign policy should be conducted on behalf of the European people with clear moral commitments to human rights, international law and the respect for multilateral institutions. It should be built without violence or domination. It should also uphold and exemplify the values which the EU respects on its own territory.
Moreover, the EU should at all times hold true to the principle that agreements must be honoured. As such it should never commit itself to a binding agreement with a third party that does not include an expiry or renegotiation date.

Our aims

Europe United believes that the values and principles of the EU are universally applicable. We believe that we should spread the values of democracy, social justice, economic dynamism and religious tolerance to all areas of the earth; this planet’s problems are global and require global solutions. These values should not be aggressively imposed. They are best encouraged through diplomatic engagement and the formation of economic ties based on common interests that bind us together.
The EU should use trade conditionality to co-opt countries into adopting democratic freedoms, civil rights and fair working practices. Europe United condemns the exploitation of cheap labour and the lack of employment laws in certain nations. We call on private corporations to extend the same respect they show for workers in the EU to their workers outside the EU.

Diplomatic corps

Europe United calls for the creation of an integrated diplomatic corps. The High Representative for Foreign Policy shall draft a framework of foreign policy guidelines which have to be submitted to approval by the Parliament and the Council. Member states should be bound by those guidelines for their foreign policy. For specific areas, such as representation to more important third states or some organisations, the member states should give the EU the main responsibility to represent all EU states in order to give Europe a more powerful and united voice on the world stage.

The developing world

The EU’s relationship with the developing world stems back to the origins of the European Economic Community. In fact, the EU is the world’s largest donor of development and humanitarian aid. Not only must the EU continue to build on this deep relationship, but also ensure that it reflects the changing nature of an increasingly globalised world.

For instance, the EU must stay committed to a global trade regime that is fair and equitable for the developing world. The EU and Member States must also continue to reward regimes that practice good, non-corrupt governance and criticise those that do not. As a global power, the EU must also be ready to provide security, support and crisis management relief in problematic countries because without security there can be no lasting development. The EU is a unique and trusted partner of the developing world and must continue to build on these solid foundations.

Russia

Europe United wishes to build good EU-Russian relations. Russia is one of our most important suppliers of energy and an ally in tackling climate change, terrorism and nuclear proliferation. We should also seek to encourage better freedom of press and of expression in Russia.

China

China is the most populous country in the world with plentiful supply of manpower, fast growing industrial output and exports. China’s growth performance over the last two decades has been spectacular, with GDP growth averaging almost 8 percent. China now ranks as the fourth largest economy in the world.
Europe United would like to see the EU, being China's biggest trading partner, develop a constructive, mutually beneficial economic relationship with China, putting democracy and human rights at the heart of that relationship. We want the EU to advocate that China’s economic development be matched by increased openness and democratisation of the current regime.

Mediterranean

Europe United is committed to the establishment of a genuine free trade area around the Mediterranean through co-option and conditionality. Europe United argues that the EU should be very careful as to how this conditionality is laid out. Under this proposal the EU will offer Mediterranean states gradual free trade access as their societies become more democratic, secular and respect universal human rights and international law.

Climate change

On climate change we call on the United States, China, India and Australia to sign an agreement similar to the Kyoto Protocol to cut emissions of carbon dioxide. We find arguments presented by these nations wholly unsatisfactory. It is a global problem and it needs a global effort. China and India must be provided with the technology for cleaner energy if they are to meet any target to reduce or limit emissions and so we must put research into the use of clean coal and energy efficiency. The EU will promote in other countries the environmental standards it has implemented within its own borders and will discourage simple movement of dirty industries from its territory to other parts of the world.

Energy security

We also aim for better energy security. Europe is intolerably vulnerable to foreign powers in this area. To combat this we should develop home-grown energy resources, particularly green energy, which will lessen our reliance on oil. In the meantime we wish to build good relations with trusted energy suppliers and increase the EU’s diversity of suppliers as a guarantee against blackouts and high energy costs.

Enlargement

Europe United believes that preference should be given to achieving greater political unity than encouraging new members to join the Union. Countries should only be accepted as candidates if they meet the Copenhagen criteria. Still, current candidates should be given the opportunity to join the EU provided that they meet the Copenhagen Criteria.
Europe United believes there should be a pan-EU referendum every time a candidate country is due to join. Pan-EU referendums should replace the national vetoes on enlargement giving the final decision power to the people of the EU.