Juppé's letter to Ashton: a reflection on how to be more responsive and determined (updated)

(BRUSSELS2) The letter that Foreign Minister Alain Juppé to Lady Ashton (which we have been able to read) is not a new letter of warning to the European External Action Service or to the High Representative, as one might think so at first sight. It is above all intended to clarify certain points of the French position on Foreign Affairs. The Minister will be there at the Gymnich, at the informal Foreign Affairs Council, but with a little delay. And he made a point of clarifying certain points of the French position before being able to develop them himself. However, he scratches, a little, in passing, a High Representative that we can consider in "low pressure", taking up what is a motto of the French position: “A strong assertion of Europe on the world stage requires increasing the coherence and effectiveness of the EU's external action. »

Put into action what we said

« We must implement the principles of action that we have agreed on but that we have not yet really applied. He cites in particular strategic partners and "reciprocity". The Minister thus expects with great interest », the presentation by the Commission of an instrument on access to public procurement. Another point of difficulty: more systematically align the different aspects of the EU's external action” (foreign policy, CSDP, development policy, trade policy)” and those of the internal policies of the EU (energy policy in particular). " We still have progress to make.”

The functioning of the European External Action Service (EEAS) still needs to be improved, the letter stresses. It must be more in “interaction with the Member States and develop its capacities of proposal”. The EEAS must therefore " strengthen its expertise on global and multilateral issues: non-proliferation, fight against terrorism, actions in international forums”. 

Be more responsive to human rights

This is the main subject of this Gymnich this afternoon. Work already begun: the diplomatic service has thus begun to draft strategies for each country in terms of human rights. And the idea of ​​a EU special representative in charge of human rights" has already been mentioned in the working groups, in particular at the COPS (the Political and Security Committee) on Tuesday (6 March). His appointment should be made next June, estimates Alain Juppé, at the same time as the adoption of a global human rights strategy and an action plan (two documents which have yet to be presented by the EEAS). But above all, the Minister urges the European diplomatic service to “take determined action to improve responsiveness” in procedures relating to human rights outside the European Union. For example : " propose support actions for human rights defenders in Iran or Syria, strengthen specific actions, in particular against the death penalty ". etc

Pool resources

Alain Juppé reiterates the importance of the work of " pooling and sharing already initiated with the European Defense Agency ". And he " sincerely hopes to be able to present, with a view to the NATO Summit in Chicaco, a significant European contribution in the field of capabilities, in particular concerning tankers ". NB: An initiative that France should present to the next Council of Defense Ministers on March 22. This sharing is not limited to means of defence. In consular matters, too, the EU delegations play a " important role » in particular for the benefit “European nationals not represented locally by their State of origin”. In terms of civil protection too, the establishment of the European civil protection mechanism will allow a “ more concentrated and visible action ».

A letter welcomed by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, during a press briefing at the opening of the informal meeting of foreign ministers in Copenhagen on Friday (9 March). “I have very strong relations with Alain Juppé. And I am still waiting for a contribution from the ministers. And I encourage everyone to send me letters. I'm very open to it."

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