Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP

Home , Carl Bildt, Fredrik Reinfeldt, Mikael Odenberg

S350/06

Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP,

addressed to the Swedish Institute for International Affairs (UI)

Javier SOLANA, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), addressed, on 7 December 2006, the audience of the Swedish Institute for International Affairs during a visit to Sweden where he met also the Prime Minister, Fredrik REINFELDT, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Carl BILDT and the Minister for Defence, Mikael ODENBERG.

During his address, HR Solana recognized the leading role Sweden has always been playing in the international stage and has praised the country's decisive contribution to all EU ESDP operation launched since January 2003.

This has happened in a moment in which EU has been called to act in an unprecedented way in today's world, characterized by a growing complexity and great international challenges. As a result, the EU is nowadays engaged in crisis management missions in Africa, in the Middle East, in the Balkans and in Asia.

HR Solana underlined the positive result of EU's missions: first of all in Congo, in support of the first democratic elections ever, then in ACEH (Indonesia), where peace has been gained after twenty years of war. He stated that the demand of European engagement is growing and its action must continue and be reinforced.

HR Solana has finally focused on the European Neighbourhood Policy, a fundamental step to the reinforcement of EU whole action. The biggest challenge of the eastern neighbourhood is Russia, a world player but also a country in transition with significant challenges to face. EU interest is to develop reliable and friendly relations with Russia. Much work has to be done in this direction, still prospects are promising and this remains one of the top issues of EU agenda.

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FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP +32 (0)2 281 6467 / 8239 / 5150 / 5151 +32 (0)2 281 5694 internet: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/solana e-mail: [email protected]