Europe Signals Greater Engagement in the Community of Democracies

On November 16, Lithuania’s government convened a roundtable in Brussels entitled “New Partnerships in Democracy Building: the European Union and the Community of Democracies.” Concurrent to this meeting, the Council of the European Union agreed to a set of conclusions, entitled, “Council Conclusions on Democracy Support in the EU’s External Relations.” In it, they adopted conclusions acknowledging the importance of democracy support, and the need to improve existing policy to promote greater cohesion, effectiveness and visibility in regards to its democracy support agenda. Finally, the Council for a Community of Democracies convened a workshop in Warsaw regarding the Diplomat’s Handbook on November 20-21 at the Natolin Campus of the College of Europe. To read more about each of these momentous events, please click below.

Roundtable in Brussels   |   Workshop on the Diplomat's Handbook   |   EU Conclusions

The CD and EU Collaborating on Democracy Support

Presided over by the Lithuanian Foreign Minister and organized by Lithuania’s government, the roundtable entitled “New Partnerships in Democracy Building: the European Union and the Community of Democracies” was convened on November 16, 2009. Bringing together distinguished guests including Mr. Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, Mr. Vygaudas Usackas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Ms. Maria Leissner, Swedish Ambassador for Democratic Issues and other prominent government and EU officials, this event marked a new era of collaboration between the Community of Democracies and the EU in regards to democracy support.

In his address, President Buzek stressed the role the Community of Democracies must play in regards to good global governance by promoting development, institution building, human rights, and the values of democracy, freedom and solidarity, without which poverty reduction, sustainable development and peace are not possible. His entire speech can be found here.

Also discussed in Brussels was the need to foster increased, yet pragmatic, cooperation between various global actors, including the EU and the Community of Democracies, particularly when democracy is challenged by such trends as the emergence of "sovereign democracies", examples of "competing models" such as Russia and China, or extremist groups winning more support in established democracies.  Former Lithuanian President Vytautas Landsbergis also spoke during this event and emphasized the need for democratic countries to offer steadfast support to NGOs in autocratic countries who are often hostile to democracy.

The EU representatives expressed a belief that the Community of Democracies can play a leading role as a democracy supporter and bridge many gaps existing among the international structures and systems. Additionally, as a new organization with a clean record and with the combined democratic experiences of the participating countries, the Community of Democracies has many advantages in supporting democracy worldwide, addressing the "democracy deficit", and rebranding the notion of democracy promotion.

The speech of Mr. Vygaudas Usackas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, may be read here.

To read the speech by Mr. Robert LaGamma, President of the Council for a Community of Democracies, click here.

Democracy Workshop at the College of Europe

On November 20-21, the College of Europe in Warsaw hosted the first regional workshop focused on diplomatic support for the development of democracy, based on CCD’s Diplomat’s Handbook project.

The workshop brought together representatives of diplomatic trainers and other representatives of Foreign Ministries from the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Serbia and host country Poland as well as the deputy director of the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna and a Turkish representative of the Islamic Conference. Also participating were Paul Demaret, Rector of the College of Europe who came here from Bruges to preside over the workshop and the Vice Rector of the College's Natolin Campus as well as two of the College's senior faculty members.

They were joined by leaders of civil society organizations from Belarus, Hungary, Lithuania, Ukraine, and the Netherlands; representatives of the Community of Democracies Secretariat in Warsaw; a representative of the German Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management and Jack Duvall and Maciej Barkowski of the International Center on Non-Violent Conflict. Also present were a representative of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and a number of the College's graduate students.

The workshop afforded Ambassador Jeremy Kinsman, former Canadian Ambassador to the European Union and director of the Diplomat’s Handbook project, an excellent opportunity to present the Handbook and to animate a lively dialogue between diplomatic and civil society representatives. Kurt Bassuener, Research Director for the Handbook, presented the two most relevant case studies, those on Belarus and Ukraine. Participants also discussed how diplomats have related to issues of democracy in Egypt, Georgia and the Balkans.

College of Europe faculty also provided detailed presentations on the European Union's approach to democracy support including the accession process and the neighborhood policy as well as Europe's policies on human rights and democracy for other world regions.

EU Revisits and Recognizes Importance of Democracy Promotion and the Community of Democracies

On November 17, 2009, the Council of the European Union issued a report, entitled, “Council Conclusions on Democracy Support in the EU’s External Relations.” In it, they adopted conclusions acknowledging the importance of democracy support, and the need to improve existing policy to promote greater cohesion, effectiveness and visibility in regards to its democracy support agenda. Additionally, the Council recommended that EU reports on development, human rights and other issues should include a separate section on democracy support, where possible.

However, the Council of the European Union clarified that these conclusions would not signify nor introduce new conditionality clauses regarding EU development aid, but would instead begin a reevaluation process in order to improve how existing EU policies are implemented. The Council of the EU also asserted the need to increase consistency and coordination of the many dialogues it has pertaining to democracy building with partner countries, while looking for additional, innovative ways to involve civil society and other non-governmental players.

Finally, the EU Council declared the need to intensify the EU’s efforts to support democracy within international organizations, highlighting the need to increase cooperation within the Community of Democracies, among others.

To read the full report, please click here.