Michael de Laine

By Michael de Laine, The Copenhagen Voice, 27 March 2009

Against the backcloth of the global economic crisis, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt says the mistakes of the past must not be repeated.

Speaking yesterday at Bologna University in Italy, Bildt said, “Instead, we must make sure that the recovery of Europe is firmly anchored in the legacy of integration and peace. What we need, in order to turn the turmoil of today into a hopeful future, is more cooperation, not less.”

Since the collapse of the Soviet empire, many borders have been opened, Bildt said; let us not now raise new borders and walls.

As stated in the World Bank development report from 2009, the best way to promote economic development and a stable political environment is by promoting institutions that unify, infrastructure that connects, and interventions that target.

“We must strengthen our efforts to open up the international economy,” Bildt added.

Putting obstacles in the way of globalisation - which over the past few decades has contributed at an unparalleled pace to greater prosperity and freedom worldwide - would be a dangerous and destructive course of action.

“Instead we should lay the foundation for a globalisation that is economically, socially, politically and environmentally sustainable,” Bildt said.

It is equally important is to ensure effective institutions backed by a firm political will to promote peace, stability and democracy worldwide.

“Democracy and open societies are not only the best guarantee for peace within and between nations, but also the only political system able to provide for sustainable economic dynamism, as well as to accommodate social tensions grounded in economic realities,” the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs said. “By pursuing this path Europe will continue to serve the wider cause of global recovery and further development. This is a duty which we must pursue without hesitation; here lies one of our most urgent tasks.”

He said our ability to overcome the current crisis is now far better than in the past; the global institutional setting is much more robust, our understanding of economics more solid, democracy has shown its supremacy, and is not seriously threatened by either communism or fascism.

Europe has created a union that has contributed to consolidating peace among states that throughout history saw war and destructive competition as the normal state of affairs.

The union has brought prosperity to a growing number of people and has become an increasingly important actor in global affairs and which has helped to create peace and stability, not only in its own neighbourhood, but also in more remote places around the world.

“The European Union is our best opportunity to overcome the crisis of today - to strengthen cooperation, openness and peace when needed most,” Bildt said.

Noting that progress and recovery will not come automatically, Bildt said the time is now ripe for political leadership and to strengthen those institutions which have so far served us well, but which must be further developed to meet the requirements of tomorrow.

Bildt mentioned a number of areas “where wise decisions are urgently needed.”

Free trade: We must continue to insist on the importance of free trade, greater openness and more economic cooperation. It remains vitally important to work for a conclusion of the Doha negotiations as well as to achieve increased efficiency in the internal market with its four freedoms. Protectionism must be fought. Our goal should be to make the European Union the most open economy in the world.

Croatia and Turkey: Enlargement is still the European Union’s primary instrument for creating security, democracy and prosperity in Europe. We must therefore seek to push for progress in the ongoing accession negotiations with Croatia and Turkey and promote genuine progress in the closer relationship of the Western Balkans with the EU.

“In this context let me especially underline the strategic importance of Turkey becoming a member of the EU,” Bildt said. “Closing the door to Europe for Turkey would be a mistake of historic proportions. We all have reason to intensify our efforts to explain the significance of this step.”

Stable, open democracies to east and west: It is of the utmost importance that the EU’s neighbours to the east and south develop into stable and open democracies with functioning markets and legal systems. Those neighbours with European aspirations should be invited to be part of the internal market and its four freedoms.

Climate: The climate issue must not be sidelined by the economic crisis. Intensive preparations are required ahead of the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December, so the result is a comprehensive global agreement with forceful measures to curb climate change and contribute to stronger and broader international cooperation.

The success of the European Union in agreeing on an ambitious climate package with commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30% by 2020, assuming an international agreement, lays a good foundation for continued international climate efforts. We must convince other industrialised countries to make comparable commitments, and the rapidly growing economies to take action, to enable the global trend to be reversed.

Peace: In times of great challenges we must ensure an effective global policy of peace. We see growing tensions across the entire area from Palestine to Punjab.

“Last year’s Annapolis process did not lead to a peace agreement. Instead the ceasefire in Gaza was broken and a war began that has further complicated the already difficult situation in the region,” the Swedish Foreign Minister said. “The isolation of Gaza is neither defensible from a humanitarian perspective nor acceptable in political terms. A stable ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza require open borders, effective measures against arms smuggling and an end to the rocket attacks against Israel.”

In collaboration with the United States in particular, the European Union must step up its initiatives for a comprehensive peace in the region. Israel’s occupation and settlement policy must cease, a contiguous and viable Palestinian state must be created, terrorism must stop and Israels right to exist within secure and recognised borders must be respected.

The Arab Peace Initiative is a stable basis for negotiations to lead not only to a Palestinian state but also to peace between Israel and the entire Arab world. This would lay a new foundation for development in the region as a whole, as well as for combating terrorism and reducing cultural and political tensions in other parts of the world.

“All forms of terrorism, regardless of their origin, must be met through international cooperation, based on respect for international law and human rights,” Bildt said. “The European Union has an important role to play in this cooperation.”

The disagreement between Iran and the rest of the world regarding the countrys nuclear programme must find a peaceful resolution, Bildt said.

“I strongly welcome the signals from the new US administration that they are willing to negotiate, and that Iran should respond with tangible steps designed to foster trust in the country’s intentions,” he added. “A solution to the nuclear issue would - despite any other differences of opinion - open the door to improved cooperation between Iran and Europe. The risk of further proliferation of weapons of mass destruction remains one of the most serious security threats facing the world. International efforts must therefore be stepped up, with the aim of maintaining and strengthening the non-proliferation regime.”

Developments in Afghanistan are deeply worrying. Despite progress following the fall of the Taliban regime, the security situation in parts of the country is very serious. There are major shortcomings in governance and the reconstruction of this ravaged country is progressing slowly. Unfortunately, the consequences of this situation are both serious from a humanitarian point of view and dangerous from a security perspective. Terrorism and drug production with roots in Afghanistan threaten people far beyond the countrys own borders.

“This is why it is important to pave the way for the European Union to take greater responsibility for the wider process of state-building in the country,” Bildt said.

“When Sweden assumes the Presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year, we will bear a great responsibility to meet these challenges in front of us,” Bildt said. “It is a responsibility we will shoulder in the firm conviction that the European Union also provides the best platform for Swedens foreign policy action, and that more cooperation, open markets, and a strong policy of peace must constitute guiding principles of the Union also and not least through these times of crisis.”