EP says no agreement with third countries unless human rights respected

BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament Wednesday adopted two resolutions on the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
In the resolution on the CFSP, the EP insists that EU member states should prioritise unified EU positions over national interests. They suggest improving decision-making among EU countries by setting up an EU Security Council and replacing the unanimity requirement with qualified majority voting.
It calls for "less for less" policy towards third countries that are violating human rights and democratic standards, including stripping them of preferential trade and development concessions.
"In particular, no agreement between the EU and third countries should be ratified until human rights benchmarks are met," it stressed.
Although the rules-based world order is being increasingly challenged, EU defence integration is moving forward, notes the report on the CSDP.
The strategic partnership between the EU and NATO is also fundamental to addressing Europe's security challenges. EU-NATO cooperation should be complementary and guarantee full respect for the autonomy and decision-making procedures of the other, it says.
The resolution on CFSP was approved by 401 votes to 173, while the CSDP resolution was adopted by 376 votes to 215. (end) nk.sd