The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, convening in Rome, Italy on 12^th March 2010:

Whereas:

-      The Lisbon Treaty aims at strengthening the EU's role in world affairs by i.a. the creation of the posts of President of the European Council and High Representative for Foreign Affairs/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR);

-      -The natural disasters in Haiti and Chile have demonstrated the need for swift and effective EU action;

-      Developments in Afghanistan, Iran and the Middle East equally call for bold and courageous responses from the EU.

The ELDR Party calls:

-      On the HR to swiftly present a comprehensive and ambitious proposal for establishing the External Action Service (EEAS), in full respect of the Treaty provisions and especially of its article 27[1];

-      Upon the European Union as well as the Member States to set aside self-interest and prejudice so as to seize this unique opportunity to build an efficient diplomatic instrument;

-      Upon Member States' Governments and Parliaments to view this EEAS as complementary to national diplomatic services, and to make full use of its advantages.

[1] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2008:115:0013:0045:EN:PDF