Better together! Defending multilateralism

Effective global institutions are the best way to ensure stability, security, respect for human rights, prosperity and development. The EPP Group believes that the solution to our common problems and challenges can only be achieved by having common rules.

Nowadays, global challenges also affect regional and local levels. This makes it even more necessary for multi-level relations to develop. These can most effectively be managed through multilateral frameworks. We need an effective multilateral system!

International criminal justice is a deterrent against violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, and important for achieving accountability. The EPP Group believes that the only safe world is a multilateral rules-based world.

In our view, the multilateral trading system embodied in the WTO is by far the best framework for achieving free and fair trade on a global basis and under the rule of law. Globalisation and open markets have significantly improved living standards and reduced poverty in the EU and around the world. We continuously remain committed to shaping EU trade policy with the aim of sharing the benefits of globalisation more equally. Today, when the concept of a multilateral rules-based trade system is challenged by even some of its former staunchest supporters, like the US administration, the EPP Group believes that the EU must pick up the baton of free and fair trade and seize the opportunity to actively reach out to partners all over the world to pursue an ambitious trade agenda in a global context.

Reformed and better multilateralism

It is important to work together to improve the multilateral system and support reforms that will make international organisations like the United Nations (UN) better equipped to tackle challenges. In order to preserve multilateralism, the UN needs to be reformed and made more effective.

In the EU Global Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy (a key document by the European External Action Service, published in 2016, which outlines the need for the EU to strengthen its role as a credible and reliable security provider and to be able to respond effectively to crises while helping partner countries develop their own security capacities, and working closely with regional and international partner organisations), it is underlined that the EU supports the multilateral system and is willing to join forces with partners who believe in international cooperation. In the European Security Strategy (the predecessor of the EU Global Strategy from 2003 until 2016), it is also emphasised that multilateralism is important, and its promotion is part of the EU’s strategic goals.

Civil society, not only governments, are our partners too

The EU and the Member States work together with states and international and regional organisations such as the UN, but also with the private sector and civil society. Global democracy support can be achieved by developing closer ties with civil society through organisations such as the European Endowment for Democracy, a grant-giving organisation established by the EU to support local actors of democratic change in the European neighbourhood and beyond.

What we want to do over the next five years:

• to defend the rules-based global order with multilateralism as its key principle against the growing threats and challenges to the multilateral system;
• to pursue, as the largest trading block in the world, free and fair trade deals with partners around the globe in support of an open, rules-based, multilateral system of trade;
• to give backing to EU-led missions to further support the UN's efforts in conflict prevention and mediation, and to make peace-keeping operations more effective in order to deliver lasting peace and development to the populations where these missions are deployed;
• to keep the promotion and protection of human rights, which is at the heart of multilateralism, as a central pillar of the UN system;
• to support cooperation between the EU, UN and other international organisations as a strong means of strengthening multilateralism and providing assistance to those in war zones in need of international protection;
• to push for stronger multilateral commitments to find sustainable political solutions to current conflicts around the world;
• to support the fact that the EU actively participates in a number of international organisations with observer or member status.

The EPP Group chooses partnerships over protectionism, we choose openness over fragmentation and we choose to work together with partners around the world to support the established system of international law and of common rules that allows countries to safely trade with each other, keep their borders safe, prevent and solve conflicts and defend human rights.