The European Union at the 66th UN General Assembly

The following is a summary of the remarks made by Herman Van Rompuy at the 66th UN General Assembly. His Excellency Herman Van Rompuy is the President of the European Council of the European Union, the first long-term, non head of state or government to hold this post.

Summary of Remarks made on the 22nd of September 2011:

His Excellency divided up his speech into three sections, 1. Hopes, 2. Worries, 3. Europe's Global Responsibility. My comments upon the main points of his speech are in orange.

1. Hope

• There has been an increased economic uplifting of peoples, with emerging economies becoming emerged economies and the corresponding decrease in poverty.
• South Sudan is an example of how peace and diplomacy can prevail.
• North Africa has provided examples of the possibility for tyranny and terrorism to be defeated.
• Europe is close to the Arab world, geographically and historically and hence will support the democratic and economic reforms of Tunisia, Libya and Egypt with financial aid and access to European markets.
• Europe and the international community have an important responsibility to assist the new Libyan government
• The decade after 9/11 has shown no great clash of civilizations, no religious hatred. The revolutions in the Arab world have also exhibited little of such sentiment. Rather the Arab peoples demand a desire for human dignity in their revolutions.
• Systems must reform in order to stay strong.

One area of critique from me. Has there really been no clash of civilizations and no religious hatred? Whilst he argues that the 9/11 attacks did not spark global hatred towards Islam, an increased suspicion of Islam certainly has taken root in Europe and in America. Perhaps it is true that there have been no civilization clash, as evidenced by how the Arab Spring where people demand the same rights that those in the West do.

Herman Van Rompuy addressing the 66th UNGA

2. Worries

• Oppression and violent crackdowns on protesters in Syria
• Urged others to join the European condemnation of Syria
• The famine in the Horn of Africa
• Issues on nuclear proliferation by Iran and North Korea as well as nuclear power safety issues
• The challenge of climate change
• In the short term, we work towards protecting human life
• In the long term, we work towards protecting humanity
• Actions undertaken to combat climate change are insufficient and must be increased exponentially

I agree with His Excellency on this portion of his speech. Climate change certainly is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

Map of EU Member States

EU Flag

3. Europe's Global Responsibility

• Supporting hope and fighting the causes of worry globally
• Europe is the largest donor of development aid
• And is one of the largest donor towards climate aid (aid to tackle and mitigate the effects of climate change)
• Offers manpower aid (peacekeeping, development and aid workers, volunteers, police officers)
• Europe is ambitious in climate talks
• Europe seeks reforms in the international financial systems in recognition of the changing economic weight of countries
• It seeks to solve conflict in the Balkans
• Has an important role to play in the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP)
• Seeks the implementation of a two state solution based upon 1967 borders with mutually agreed territorial swaps
• Supports the Palestinian Authority in its state building process
• Mutual concerns are important and legitimate, Israelis must have a state and security and recognition; Palestinians must also have a state of their own
• History severely judges political moves that only create shortcomings
• In Europe's example of achieving peace, there must be a lasting compromise built upon mutual sacrifice and trust
• Invites other industralised countries to follow Europe's aims and goals in cutting carbon emissions in a bid to tackle climate change
• Europe is committed towards tackling the sovereign debt crisis as it is responsible to the global economy.
• Europe will continue to do what it takes to tackle the defining challenge of this European generation
• But Europe also expects other major countries to bring their own houses in order
• Europe will stand shoulder to shoulder with the UN
• The UN is crucial to the world
• The EU's 500 million citizens reject splendid isolation in favour of global engagement
• The world belongs to no one nation, it belongs to us all

Most interesting section. Outlines Europe as a global power quite different from say China or the US. Emphasis on European soft power (e.g. development support, peacekeeping, economic power). Interesting allusion to the European project that created European peace (save for the Balkans). Indeed, the MEPP can only plausibly succeed if sacrifices can be made and trust created. Both Palestinians and Israelis have legitimate and inalienable claims to the Holy Land. Emphasis on climate change efforts are made. Comments on the sovereign debt crisis and the reiteration of European resolve. Interestingly, the invitation for industrialised countries to join the European targets of carbon emissions reduction as well as the comments on other countries needing to keep their balance sheets in order seem directed at the US. Perhaps a double attack for US sidelining the EU at Copenhagen and for Secretary Geithner comments on the sovereign debt crisis. In this new era of increasing US decline, it is perhaps important to have Europe actively engaged in the world. It after all is the most peaceful and economically developed region of the globe with examples and lessons for us all to learn from.