Est. 1min 23-01-2001 (updated: 07-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy criticises EU foreign policy strategies Read more with Euractiv Ecological Farming on EU policy agenda?Germany's U-turn on agriculture could start a new fundamental debate on the future of Europe's farming policy Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters BackgroundJavier Solana, High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), has criticised the EU's approach to the construction and execution of its foreign policy goals. The leak of a confidential document written by Mr Solana himself has seen widespread reporting of his view that the EU's foreign policy efforts are incoherent, inflexible and ineffective. The bureaucratic nature of the EU is stifling the development of an effective common foreign and security policy, according to the report. The failure to implement qualified majority voting in this area has meant that the common strategies the EU does adopt are often too broad to be effective. The report has a number of recommendations for improving the foreign policy making process in the EU. In particular, Mr Solana emphasises the need for having verifiable objectives that focus on results. His insistence that the policy development process should be confidential will not be welcomed by those concerned at the perceived lack of transparency in the EU.
