THEME RESOLUTION ADTOPED BY THE ELDR CONGRESS BERLIN 18-19 OCTOBER 2007
A liberal Europe for a free world
Introduction
A Liberal Europe, a territory where citizens and their leaders are committed to freedom and to a liberal democratic society, is central for the emergence of a free world. Peace, respect of human rights, including those of individuals belonging to minorities, democracy,the rule of law, freedom of the citizens and free markets are key drivers for the progress and prosperity of the world. When peace, freedom of the people and openness are missing, countries stagnate and poverty increases. Globalisation is changing the world, but its unprecedented effects are not a zero-sum game. For most countries the benefits, including strong economic growth which lifts millions out of poverty, significantly outweigh the challenges. Nationsof the world are increasingly concluding international agreements to deal with global challenges like trade, environment or climate change and the UN and multilateral bodies are gaining more political importance. A greater variety of different political, economic and social actors are playing at global level. Greater mobility of individuals and the growing use of new technology, which give people access to information and offer new possibilities of exchanging opinions across continents and borders, are essential for achieving a free and democratic world. The European Union is based on the principle of “Unity in diversity”. The respect and promotion of the cultures and languages that enriches Europe are distinctive for the preservation of the identity of Europe.
ELDR notes:
The opportunities of globalisation should be used for the good of citizens; free trade on the basis of mutually agreed rules is the most important source for economic growth and jobs in Europe and the world. Peaceful cooperation, the free movement of people, goods, capital and services are keys to success in Europe.
European states must take their responsibility towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and mobilise political will to fight poverty in the world.
Russia is a strategic partner for the EU. Whilst establishing links is important, the EU should remain critical of continued human rights violations and the gradual erosion of democratic institutions and processes.
While economic ties between Europe and the People’s Republic of China have been reinforced in the past decades through dynamically developing trade and investment driven by China’s high economic growth, the actual scope of an emerging strategic partnership between the EU and the PRC will be determined by the extent to which they share common values and interests as well as China’s willingness to contribute to regional stability, participate in a rule-based international trading regime and assume its responsibilities in various areas including the fight against climate change.
The world is confronted with the threat of nuclear proliferation
The threats of climate change and the need to develop and implement renewable forms of energy in order to meet the increasing demand for energy and other raw materials, demand that is leading to higher prices for commodities.
The EU is playing a global role by setting binding targets for the reduction of green house gas emissions by 20% by 2020.
ELDR calls for:
EU to be a leader in innovation and sustainable growth
The completion of the single market to create many new competitive jobs in the Union and for Europeans to make major efforts in education to keep up with global competition. ELDR supports the goal of the Lisbon agenda to make Europe the most competitive region of the world that requires comprehensive reforms on the level of the EU and its Member States alike by shifting funds from the Common Agricultural Policy and Regional Funds into education, research and development and infrastructure. Member states’ governments and the European Commission should make greater efforts in fighting bureaucracy and inefficiency of labour markets while investing more in research and development.
A new WTO-agreement that allows more free trade and protects investors and intellectual property and allowing developing countries greater access to EU markets.
Stronger relations with countries in the Far East as well as the so-called BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) as they are important partners for the next decades
EU to be a leader in promoting democracy and human rights
The EU should continue with the enlargement process on the basis of the Copenhagen criteria, as it has proved to be very successful in bringing democracy, the rule of law and economic growth to the citizens in the new member states.
Through the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European Union should speak with a single voice on the international stage. The EU cannot turn a blind eye to mass-murder and severe violations of human rights. The EU should continue to lead the efforts for peace-keeping missions.
In parallel, the EU should take the lead in the efforts for arms control, disarmament and military denuclearization and to make a stand against militarization of space.
The EU and its Member States should cooperate further to fight organised crime, people trafficking and terrorism, while ensuring full protection of the personal freedom of citizens.
The EU should develop partnerships with Africaand other developing parts of the world based on the promotion of human rights, democracy, good governance and free trade. To achieve concrete and visible results for the world’s poor, it is essential that the EU and its member States coordinate better their development efforts and take a strong stance against bad governance.
EU to be a leader in the fight against climate change
The EU to use its influence as a union of 27 countries to develop methods of best practice for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, thereby encouraging other regions of the world to do the same.
The union to increase investment in research and development to facilitate the wide-spread use of renewable energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental sustainability.
The European Union should promote environmental awareness among European citizens.
ELDR concludes: Today’s European Union needs the strong foundations provided by a new treaty: for the EU to complete its democratic achievement; to engage with the rest of the world more efficiently and to meet the expectations of its global partners. ELDR therefore calls on all European governments and parliaments to make sure that the new treaty is in force at the time of the next elections to the European Parliament in 2009. The EU needs to ensure that it adheres to the values and principles which it proclaims in Europe, in order to be a credible partner for the rest of the world. Only together we will be able to successfully defend our interests and values in the long run. Therefore, the European Liberal Democrats continue to strive for the freedom of citizens, goods, service and capital in the EU and the world and believe that the EU, as a tool for extending peace, stability and the rule of law, is the best possible answer to the challenges and opportunities of globalisation.
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