Ahead of the NATO summit that will take place in the Latvian capital Riga on 28-29 November, ELDR calls for a clarification of the relationship between the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and NATO. ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts explains that according to the European Liberal Democrats, “the most important difference between ESDP and NATO concerns the role played in the latter by non EU states, and in particular by the United States. In view of this, a profound clarification of the ESDP’s nature vis-à-vis the US is required. Furthermore competition between EU and NATO should be avoided as it could be detrimental to the effectiveness of their respective policies with the available capacities becoming limited.” Europe’s Liberal Democrat parties adopted a resolution on the EU external security and defence policy on 13 October 2006 in Bucharest, Romania, , calling for the progressive development of a fully-fledged European Army. This resolution also points out that the EU cannot limit itself to policing if it is to contribute effectively to the re-modeling of a workable and peaceful world order.ELDR points out that an effective ESDP will require further modernisation of the Member States’ armed forces. Reorientation of spending and investment might not suffice, so that increases in military spending, both at the EU level and by the Member States might be considered. Read more ...

The world network of liberal and democratic parties will meet in Morocco, Marrakech from 9-11 November 2006 to discuss the links between liberal democracy and economic development.  The meeting, which marks the 54th Congress of Liberal International will, amongst other things, call for a renewed commitment towards poverty reduction, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Annemie Neyts, President of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) Party, will represent the liberal democrat parties of Europe at this congress and convey the message that liberal democracy and development are interdependent. “Development is not simply confined to the economic sphere but also encompasses the development of political freedoms and a liberal democratic system of government,” she said. The theme report of the Congress entitled “Democracy and Development: a Liberal view” will be tabled for discussion by over 100 political parties, heads of state and government, parliamentarians and world renowned experts and academics. Five hundred delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America will call on governments to resume the world trade talks, following the Doha Round in July 2006.  They will also place emphasis on the need to integrate the poorest countries into international trade, as the best strategy for enhancing growth and reducing global poverty. The Congress will also discuss Freedom of Expression, Terrorism, Torture, Responsibility to Protect Against Genocide, Closed States and the International Agenda as well as Nuclear Energy.  It takes place at the Palais du Congrès du Marrakech, Avenue Mohamed VI, MA 40000. ELDR is a member of Liberal International, the world federation of liberal and progressive democratic political parties. Founded in 1947, Liberal International has become the pre-eminent network for promoting liberalism, individual freedom, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, social justice, free trade and a market economy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------For more information, please contact Myriam Cornillet (mcornillet@eldr.org), 00 32 2 237 01 43 or 00 32 485 99 40 56. Read more ...