** EPD WELCOMES COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON DEMOCRACY SUPPORT **
The Council of the
European Union approved yesterday (17 November) Conclusions on Democracy
Support in the EU's external relations. The Conclusions and accompanying Agenda
for Action, affirm Europe's commitment to democracy as a core value in its
dealing with the outside world. The Conclusions recognise that ‘there is a need
for a broader and more coherent approach' to democracy building and strive to
improve the coherence, complementarity and coordination of existing EU
policies. The accompanying Agenda for Action sets out the approach that should
be taken to achieve this. The EPD has supported and contributed actively to the
process from the very beginning and celebrates this encouraging step forward.
The EPD congratulates in particular the Czech and Swedish Presidencies, under
whose leadership the Conclusions were drafted, and looks forward to continue
working with the European institutions, Member States and all stakeholders in
implementing the Agenda for Action. The Conclusions and Agenda for Action
can be read here.
See also the EPD's explanation of the Council Conclusions.