Conscious of its global weight in economic and
commercial terms, the European Union uses its power in the interests of
others as well as itself. The EU promotes prosperity and supports democratic
values around the world; at the same time it thereby helps to consolidate
stability and well-being for the citizens within its frontiers. Integration
of new countries into the EU strengthens its role on the international
scene.
The EU is the world’s biggest trader; but
it is also the biggest provider of aid to developing countries. It has
created a more pro-active foreign and security policy with the capacity to
carry out crisis-management and peace-keeping missions within Europe and far
beyond. In today’s complex world, the EU has added new tools to the
traditional instruments of foreign policy. It has, for instance, taken the
international lead in tackling the issue of global warming and climate
change.
Global problems require global solutions.
June 2007
|
