EU Proposes New Human Rights StrategyThe European Union (EU)'s execuitve commission on Tuesday adopted a strategy on EU's role in promoting human rights and democratisation in third countries."The EU has always favored an approach to promoting human rights based on partnership and cooperation, rather than sanctions and other negative measures," EU commissioner for external relations Chris Patten said. "We want to work both with governments and civil society to achieve sustainable change. The moral case for action is unquestionable. But it is also in our interests. Democratic societies which respect human rights are also the EU's best trading partners, and the least likely to sink into expensive conflict," Patten said in a statement. "That is why respect for human rights must be a central element of the EU's approach, and one which we should use our dialogue and cooperation programmes -- including the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights -- to pursue," he added. |
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