APPENDIX 3: CALL FOR EVIDENCE
The foreign policy, defence and development Sub-Committee
(Sub-Committee C) of the House of Lords Select Committee on the
European Union has decided to undertake an inquiry into "The
European Security Strategy". The Sub-Committee is chaired
by Lord Roper.
Since the European Council adopted the European Security
Strategy in 2003, the international environment has evolved and
issues such as climate change and energy security have taken on
greater prominence. New threats are appearing on the horizon,
including electronic attacks and non-military espionage. Risks
such as pandemics, financial turbulence, water shortages and food
crises are becoming more important and necessitate a European
and international response. The EU has enlarged to 27 Member States,
bringing it closer geographically to regions of instability, such
as in the Caucasus and the Middle East.
Furthermore, thinking on these issues within the
EU has evolved. The High Representative for the Common Foreign
and Security Policy, Dr Javier Solana, and his counterpart
in the Commission, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, recently presented
a joint report to the March 2008 European Council in which they
drew attention to the impact of climate change on international
security. This report and any follow-up work, which are expected
to lead to the adoption of a document by the December European
Council, will be examined as part of this inquiry. Another example
is energy security, which has become a priority for the EU in
recent years.
In the light of these challenges, the Sub-Committee
has decided to review the usefulness of the European Security
Strategy and the extent to which it informs policy-making in the
European Institutions and in the EU Member States. In the context
of the planned review of the Strategy under the French presidency
of the EU in the second half of 2008, the Committee will assess
the extent to which the Strategy provides a useful conceptual
framework for addressing the threats and risks faced by the EU
in the 21st century. It will also assess whether the
recommendations for action contained in the Strategy need to be
adapted and how they can be more effectively implemented.
In the framework of this inquiry, the Sub-Committee
will consider written evidence. The Sub-Committee would therefore
welcome submissions on the following questions:
(1) To what extent has the European Security
Strategy provided a useful tool for addressing the security challenges
faced by the EU? To what extent does it inform policy-making in
the European Institutions and in the EU Member States? Have the
EU Strategy for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
and other similar EU strategies served as tools for the implementation
of the European Security Strategy?
(2) What are the strengths and weaknesses of
the Strategy? Does it provide a coherent and well-balanced assessment
of the threats and risks facing the EU? Is there a need for the
Strategy to pay greater attention to evaluating and analysing
the EU's sources of vulnerability and dependence, such as on energy
supplies?
(3) Should the Strategy place a greater emphasis
on drivers of insecurity, such as challenges to the rules-based
international system, climate change, competition for energy,
poverty, inequality and poor governance? Does the Strategy sufficiently
take into account the interrelationship between security and development?
(4) How successful has the Strategy been in promoting
security in the EU's neighbourhood?
(5) Does the Strategy make appropriate recommendations
on the action the EU should take to address the security challenges
it faces? Is there a good balance between short-term and long-term
priorities for action?
(6) In what ways could the Strategy be better
implemented? Has the promotion of stability taken precedence over
the promotion of democracy and good governance in the EU's neighbourhood?
(7) To what extent have the EU's Strategic Partnerships
and political dialogue with third countries and organisations,
including the UN and NATO, contributed to achieving the aims of
the Strategy? Has the Strategy contributed to shaping EU policy
and thinking in relation to the United States and other important
partners such as Russia, China, India and Africa?
(8) Is there a need to review the Strategy and
the effectiveness of its implementation periodically?
(9) Are there any other issues which should be
brought to the Sub-Committee's attention as part of this inquiry?
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