The Dutch EU Presidency will do all that is needed to facilitate a solution to the Cyprus problem, the country’s Ambassador in Nicosia Brechje Schwachöfer has told CNA in an interview, as her country assumes the reins of power within the Union for the next six months, adding that respect for human rights and the principles of the rule of law are pivotal to the EU edifice.
On Turkey’s EU accession course in relation to its obligations towards Cyprus, she said they will act as “an honest broker” ensuring that the interests of all 28 member states are taken into account and that EU decisions are, for her country’s presidency, the basis on which to work, pointing out at the same time that EU criteria for membership have to be adhered to.
Outlining the priorities of the presidency, she referred to migration and international security, innovative growth, a strong European Monetary Union and climate and energy issues.
Asked how the Presidency can contribute more actively to the Cyprus peace process, given that the non solution of the Cyprus problem does have a negative impact on EU relations with other players outside the Union, she said that “a solution to the Cyprus problem is not only in the interest of Cypriots, but also of the EU and the international community as a whole. As Presidency, we will do all that is needed to facilitate a solution to the Cyprus problem.”
Invited to evaluate the EU-Turkey most recent decision and assess how important this is both for the EU and for Turkey itself, she recalled the actual decision, saying that “they (Turkey and the EU) agreed that the accession process needs to be re-energized. They are committed to carry further their existing ties and solidarity and adopt result-oriented action to prepare their common future.”
“The decision to implement an action plan to limit the number of migrants that are coming to the EU was taken by all 28 Member States and Turkey and as such, is a given for the NL Presidency. We will work, together with the member states, the Commission and Mrs. Mogherini, the High Representative, to further its implementation during the next 6 months,” she told CNA.
Asked how the EU can reconcile Turkey’s refusal to comply with EU decisions on Cyprus and re-energizing Ankara’s accession process, the Ambassador pointed out that the decisions taken by the 28 member states vis a vis Turkey are for the Dutch Presidency the basis on which to work.
“In the way forward, we will operate as an honest broker, ensuring that the interests of all 28 member states are taken into account. As Presidency, we will remind Turkey, as we have done as Netherlands repeatedly over the last years, of its obligation to comply with relevant EU decisions on Cyprus. As far as accession is concerned, all the criteria that the EU has set will have to be adhered to,” she added.
In this respect, CNA asked the Ambassador to explain the significance of compliance with EU values and principles as far as respect for human rights are concerned: “For the Netherlands, as one of the founding members of the EU, the EU is first and foremost a product of values. The solid foundation of the EU lies in respect for human rights and the principles of rule of law and civil society. We will strive to push forward implementation of the comprehensive approach on human rights, including a focus on new threats like cyber and hybrid.”
Invited to outline the priorities of the Dutch Presidency, she said “the priorities as we see them are the priorities of the EU as a whole. Looking at the European agenda, we expect to devote much of our time to four issues: Migration and international security, as the refugee crisis will continue to dominate the European agenda during the NL Presidency, as well as terrorism. Innovative growth: a deeper and fairer internal market as we want to encourage job creating companies, based on knowledge and innovation. The Netherlands see the internal market as a key to this, and we want to deepen it and make it fairer.”
The third priority is a strong European Monetary Union, the Ambassador said, noting that “the reforms the EU has undertaken in the past years to tackle the financial and economic crisis are starting to show results, but there is still a need for improvement” and the fourth is climate and energy, explaining that “The Netherlands would like to promote sustainable economic objectives and continue to work on a well-connected and well-functioning single energy market.”
Asked how the Dutch presidency intends to address hot issues such as the refugee crisis, terrorism, security, youth unemployment, economic growth, the gap between north and south EU member states, ensure safe and environmentally friendly energy sources, she said these are all challenges facing the EU and its member states.
“As Presidency, in tackling these issues, we will strive to be professional, effective and a reliable Presidency. In doing that, we will emphasize that solidarity and shared responsibility are the tools with which we can face these current developments. We need to act together, not only when times are good, but especially when times are more difficult and we are struggling to find workable and sustainable solutions to the benefit of all of us,” she told CNA.
Asked how her country’s presidency will deal with the European Fund for Strategic Investment to ensure funds go where needed, she said that “After a deep crisis, recovery has now set in and Europe is back on the track of economic growth. This growth is bolstered among others by boosting investment through measures such as the EFSI, which has been in place for approximately half a year now. Its goal is to mobilise private financing in support of strategic investments in key areas such as infrastructure, education, research and innovation, as well as risk finance for small businesses.”
The EFSI, she points out, “is demand driven and will provide support for projects everywhere in the EU, which will be considered based on their individual merits. Closely related to EFSI is the third pillar of the European Commission’s investment plan which aims to create an investment friendly environment in the EU. The Dutch Presidency aims to facilitate the work on the third pillar by discussing national barriers to investment at ministerial level at the Competitiveness Council in February and the Ecofin Council in March.”
On EU-US relations, in particular on trade and security matters, the Dutch Ambassador said that “The US is a strategic partner to the EU and our relations are wide ranging and deep. We will look to further the negotiations with the US on a treaty on trade, the so called TTIP, in an efficient manner. We will support the European Commission where necessary, and are hopeful that the pace of negotiations will pick up.”
Invited to compare this year’s EU presidency and the last time The Netherlands headed the Union in 2004, she said the world of 2004, the last time we held the EU Presidency, was a different world in many ways, and also the EU has changed.
This, she acknowledged, “will affect us as Presidency, but our fundamentals are the same. We are a country with ideals, confidence and its own European identity. We want to connect with the world, that is our history and who we are. As President, we will, as honest broker, try to move forward the strategic priorities of all 28 member states, as embodied in the Strategic Agenda of the European Council and the Work Program of the European Commission.”
Replying to another question about the role of the EU in the future, she said “Vast challenges are facing the EU, such as terrorist attacks, migration flows, climate change, the situation in the Middle East and the economy. The member states of the EU cannot face any of these challenges alone. We are stronger together and need each other, through the EU, to deal with these.”
Asked about moves or decisions the Dutch presidency will make to ensure it delivers a better Europe to the citizens of Europe than the one it inherits on January 1st 2016, she explained that the presidency, to ensure that the EU works to the benefit of its citizens, is based on three principles: “The EU should focus on where its intervention has the most added value, and let members states do what they can do best. We want the EU to connect to its citizens, by focusing on transparency and visibility, as well as concrete results that benefit the people and if we work hard on innovation as a key factor in our economies, we will achieve growth and jobs as a way out of the economic crisis.”