MEP: European common foreign policy needs more clout and leadership

Member of the European Parliament, Marietje Schaake (ALDE/D66), says that the realisation of a European Common Foreign and Security Policy is taking far too long. Today the Parliament debates with current EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, probably for the last time. Schaake: 'There are new players on the world stage and they are gaining strength, in economic, political and military terms. The only way to retain our quality of life is by joining forces and strengthening our position. To do that, we need strong leadership.' Crises According to Schaake the European Neighbourhood should be at the top of the agenda. 'The times of cynical power politics are back, whether we look at Syria, Egypt, Russia or Turkey. These past years we have seen that the EU has not succeeded in acting with sufficient impact during crises that have erupted at our own borders. Especially now the United States are choosing to play a less prominent role, Europe needs to take matters into its own hands, certainly when it concerns neighbouring countries, they are strategically important and they are significant trading partners. Europe needs to find a better balance between protecting its interests and projecting its values, such as human rights.'