EU-US join forces for worldwide democracy

By Andrew Beatty

Date: 26/05/05

The European Union is to intensify its co-operation with the United States in promoting democracy around the world, according to documents obtained by European Voice.

Despite widespread concern over the US' methods of promoting democracy, a series of draft EU-US statements, to be finalised at a summit in Washington next month, will see both sides attempt to co-ordinate efforts to champion democratisation.

Although both sides have long highlighted democratic reform as a common aim, the EU has been wary of Washington's approach, fearing it could look as if democracy was being imposed by the West.

In last year's negotiations over Middle East reform, the European Commission guarded jealously its ten-year old Barcelona Process, which it says emphasises partnership between the EU and Arab states.

The war in Iraq has proved a stumbling block. Following mass demonstrations in Lebanon earlier this year George W. Bush heralded the march of freedom worldwide, in comments seen by some in Brussels as an attempt to deflect attention away from the ongoing violence in Iraq.

But according to statements to be adopted at the 20 June summit in Washington, both sides will commit themselves to a series of joint measures to promote democracy around the world.

Although the texts are not yet finalised, initial drafts call for both sides to pioneer "universal election standards" and describe democracy promotion as "a strategic as well as moral priority". "In the long run, only systems responsive to the wishes of the people they govern can achieve political stability," they add.

One European diplomat said that the texts put forward by the US still needed some balancing, but that there was commitment from both sides. "We are trying to cut down the number of declarations, we are trying to Europeanise the text," the diplomat said.

Revised proposals will be sent to the US today (26 May) and are likely to include increased emphasis on governance and human rights, as well as on the EU's potential role in military aspects of crisis management.

Other joint measures proposed include an international conference in July to promote Lebanese democracy, pending fair elections, and joint election-monitoring missions.

US references to specific election missions in Afghanistan, Haiti, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Congo, Egypt, Iraq and the Palestinian territories may well be cut.

Calls for Egypt to democratise and to allow election monitors also look set to be reworked.

"This is one of the big challenges, democracy and human rights," said one EU diplomat. "It would be a very good signal if we could strengthen our strategic co-operation [in this area]."

The summit is expected to see statements on democracy and freedom, peace and security, conflict prevention and response, economic co-operation and the environment. A statement is also possible on Africa.

Other initiatives include a six-monthly review of 'countries of concern' to be held in Brussels or Washington to avoid another crisis like that prompted by the war in Iraq.

Preview of the EU-US summit in Washington DC, 20 June 2005. Article reports that despite widespread concern over the US' methods of promoting democracy, a series of draft EU-US statements, to be finalised at the forthcoming summit were to see both sides attempt to co-ordinate efforts to champion democratisation.

EEAS: Countries: USA: EU-US summits http://www.eeas.europa.eu/us/index_en.htm

---