The easing of tensions with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean during 2021, the relative stabilization in Libya and the need to bring Mediterranean countries closer together, among other things, notes EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borel in a review post of the past year on his official blog.
"The situation in Libya seems to have stabilised, with elections postponed again, and tensions with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean have tended to ease this year," Borel says.
"The recent regional forum on the Union for the Mediterranean and the Southern Neighbourhood EU Ministerial Meeting in Barcelona at the end of November also reminded us of the urgent need to close the growing gap between the two shores of the Mediterranean and to seize new opportunities, for example in relation to the green transition," the post adds.
The 2021 review covers all aspects of EU foreign policy, with Borel noting that 2021 is a year of transition.
"Geopolitical changes have intensified as the global balance of power creates constant challenges for the EU and its values. We must respond with all our resolve," he added.
Among other things, Borel referred to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and the return of restrictions due to the Omicron variant, but also noted that the majority of Europeans have now received at least two doses, while the EU continues to export vaccines.
However, he adds, "the disparity in vaccination rates from continent to continent underscores the need to accelerate donations and develop local vaccine production capacity, especially in Africa."
As noted, while 60% of the total population in the EU is fully vaccinated (68% in the EU), the corresponding figure is 61% in South America, 56% in North and Central America and the Caribbean, 57% in Oceania, 53% in Asia and just 8% in Africa.
The pandemic has also put the brakes on the developing world's efforts as it has led to an increase in hunger and poverty globally, with 150 million people falling below the poverty line because of the pandemic, according to the World Bank, he adds. According to the High Representative, the world is facing one crisis after another, "with Belarus, Ukraine, Mali, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Venezuela dominating the international and European agenda," he said.
"The fact that we are constantly in crisis management mode has in some cases weakened our ability to address horizontal, long-term issues that should be at the heart of our foreign policy, such as the revival of multilateralism, or managing migration in a balanced way, or the energy and climate crisis, or the rules for digital transition," he said.
Referring to the positive developments in 2021, Mr. Borrell stands in particular on the presentation of the EU's Strategic Compass to member states, aiming to strengthen the EU's role as a "security provider" although the EU "does not aim to become a military power in the traditional sense, but we need to be better able to defend ourselves".
He also mentions the EU's leading role at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, as well as the revival of relations with the US since Joe Biden took office, leading to progress in the debate on climate, Iran's nuclear programme and corporate taxation.
Although, he notes, the US handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the decision on the AUKUS alliance was unfortunate, the EU and the US have engaged in a close dialogue on relations with China and agreed to engage in a dialogue on security and defence.
In his extensive report on the Eastern Neighbourhood, Mr. Borel speaks of clear examples of power politics in 2021, such as in Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, making specific reference to the EU's political and operational support to its partners, such as through sanctions against the Lukashenko regime.
"As the hybrid conflicts intensify, we must continue to support Ukraine or Moldova to resist pressure from Russia, and to maintain a firm stance towards Belarus," Borel said, adding that the Eastern Partnership Summit reaffirmed the strategic approach to the region.
Special reference is also made to the divisive rhetoric in the Western Balkans, and especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, rhetoric that hinders efforts to bring the six countries "closer to their European future."
With regard to China, the High Representative stresses that the EU has maintained its unity towards the country which he considers "a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival at the same time." In 2021, the deteriorating human rights situation inside the country, its behaviour in the region, sanctions against MEPs and other EU institutions and, most recently, coercive behaviour towards Lithuania have affected relations, he adds.
The EU has turned its attention to expanding relations with countries across the Indo-Pacific region, adopting a new strategy to boost trade and investment but also greater security cooperation, including through maritime security and cybersecurity.
In relation to Africa, Mr. Borel writes that the year has been marked by conflict and the worsening situation in the Sahel, underlining that the civil war in Ethiopia "has reached dramatic proportions", and refers to the preparation of the meeting with the African Union where EU support for vaccines and climate finance is expected to be discussed.
Regarding relations with Latin American countries, Mr. Borel refers to an increase in contacts, including his visit to Brazil, the first visit by a high-ranking official to the country in nine years.
Source: CNA
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