> To strengthen the #EU as a global player, we need to reach common 🇪🇺 positions faster. Germany teams up with 🇧🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇮🇹🇱🇺🇳🇱🇸🇮🇪🇸 in a group of friends committed to make greater use of qualified majority voting in the common foreign and security policy.
…
> # Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministries on the Launch of the Group of Friends on Qualified Majority Voting in EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
> Today (4 May 2023) a number of EU Member States launched an inclusive Group of Friends to foster Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
> The objective of the Group of friends is to improve effectiveness and speed of our foreign-policy decision-making. Against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the growing international challenges the EU is facing, the members of the Group are convinced that EU foreign policy needs adapted processes and procedures in order to strengthen the EU as a foreign policy actor. Improved decision-making is also key to making the EU fit for the future.
> The group aims to reach progress in improved decision-making in CFSP in a pragmatic way, focussing on concrete practical steps and building on provisions already provided for in the Treaty on European Union.
> Members agreed to regularly take stock and underlined the need to work closely with all Member States of the European Union, as well as to coordinate with EU institutions. All EU Member States that want to make progress on Common Foreign and Security Policy decision-making, especially the increased use of qualified Majority Voting, and without prejudice to a wider debate on QMV in other policy areas, are welcome to join the Group.
> The Group will share the results of its deliberations transparently will all Member States.
In security questions I would rather trust Poland and Lithuania. In foreign policy definitely not Germany and France. They got us in this mess.
Prediction: This will not pass.
Honestly Finland is a surprise. All other countries sit comfortably behind a buffer zone with Russia.
For me the most interesting inclusion here in this grouping of 9 is Slovenia as the only “new” EU member state. The other 8 countries are “old” EU member states that joined the EU in the previous century. “Old” EU member states that haven’t supported this proposal are Ireland, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Portugal. Portugal is the most surprising one there for me. Anybody has any clue why they wouldn’t support this proposal?
Interesting observation that all the 6 founding members are in this group.
Don’t know how to interpret it, though.
Yeah, this will not achieve anything (unfortunately). Germany, France & co are not exactly credible on a lot of issues and countries such as Poland & the Baltics understandably don’t trust them on foreign & security police due to their (previous) stances on Russia, China and so on.
And the other 18 countries?
I’m all in for a EU common foreign & security policy but why not implement it from the bottom rather than the top of the institutional procedures ?
For example Poland, Sweden, Finland and the Baltic states can have the same policies regarding Russia and Kaliningrad. Another example would be for all countries that have a Mediterranean seafront to have the same security policy for that area only.
Then we can have more broad policies for all of the EU.
Ironic
The change to majority voting needs to be voted with everyone agreeing – that’s why it’s funny bullshit to expect that to happen..
Would be great to get more things done and not having one or two nutjobs (looking at you Hungary or Poland) ruin the rest through Veto.
Not enough, and frankly I wouldn’t want it to be. When someone doesn’t agree, act as a country. The eu is not a state, we should only act when we’re in agreement.
I will not be pulled into a French intervention in Africa or anything similar.
Those who want this should be able to continue though, I would be happy with an opt out.
14 comments
> To strengthen the #EU as a global player, we need to reach common 🇪🇺 positions faster. Germany teams up with 🇧🇪🇫🇮🇫🇷🇮🇹🇱🇺🇳🇱🇸🇮🇪🇸 in a group of friends committed to make greater use of qualified majority voting in the common foreign and security policy.
…
> # Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministries on the Launch of the Group of Friends on Qualified Majority Voting in EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
> Today (4 May 2023) a number of EU Member States launched an inclusive Group of Friends to foster Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
> The objective of the Group of friends is to improve effectiveness and speed of our foreign-policy decision-making. Against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the growing international challenges the EU is facing, the members of the Group are convinced that EU foreign policy needs adapted processes and procedures in order to strengthen the EU as a foreign policy actor. Improved decision-making is also key to making the EU fit for the future.
> The group aims to reach progress in improved decision-making in CFSP in a pragmatic way, focussing on concrete practical steps and building on provisions already provided for in the Treaty on European Union.
> Members agreed to regularly take stock and underlined the need to work closely with all Member States of the European Union, as well as to coordinate with EU institutions. All EU Member States that want to make progress on Common Foreign and Security Policy decision-making, especially the increased use of qualified Majority Voting, and without prejudice to a wider debate on QMV in other policy areas, are welcome to join the Group.
> The Group will share the results of its deliberations transparently will all Member States.
In security questions I would rather trust Poland and Lithuania. In foreign policy definitely not Germany and France. They got us in this mess.
Prediction: This will not pass.
Honestly Finland is a surprise. All other countries sit comfortably behind a buffer zone with Russia.
For me the most interesting inclusion here in this grouping of 9 is Slovenia as the only “new” EU member state. The other 8 countries are “old” EU member states that joined the EU in the previous century. “Old” EU member states that haven’t supported this proposal are Ireland, Greece, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Portugal. Portugal is the most surprising one there for me. Anybody has any clue why they wouldn’t support this proposal?
Interesting observation that all the 6 founding members are in this group.
Don’t know how to interpret it, though.
Yeah, this will not achieve anything (unfortunately). Germany, France & co are not exactly credible on a lot of issues and countries such as Poland & the Baltics understandably don’t trust them on foreign & security police due to their (previous) stances on Russia, China and so on.
And the other 18 countries?
I’m all in for a EU common foreign & security policy but why not implement it from the bottom rather than the top of the institutional procedures ?
For example Poland, Sweden, Finland and the Baltic states can have the same policies regarding Russia and Kaliningrad. Another example would be for all countries that have a Mediterranean seafront to have the same security policy for that area only.
Then we can have more broad policies for all of the EU.
Ironic
The change to majority voting needs to be voted with everyone agreeing – that’s why it’s funny bullshit to expect that to happen..
Would be great to get more things done and not having one or two nutjobs (looking at you Hungary or Poland) ruin the rest through Veto.
Not enough, and frankly I wouldn’t want it to be. When someone doesn’t agree, act as a country. The eu is not a state, we should only act when we’re in agreement.
I will not be pulled into a French intervention in Africa or anything similar.
Those who want this should be able to continue though, I would be happy with an opt out.
Fine. Now wait 10 years to finally get QMV.