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Foreign policy instruments
The EU maintains diplomatic relations with nearly all countries in the world and undertakes a range of actions with strategic partners, key international players, and emerging and developing powers. Working alongside the European External Action Service (EEAS), the service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) is responsible for operational expenditures in the crucial area of EU external action.
EU High Representative Mogherini on 25 June presented EU foreign ministers with the second annual report on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy, outlining substantial progress in bolstering the EU's role as a global actor.
Natural resources belong to local communities not to militias. Since 2003, the EU and international partners representing 99% of the world’s diamond trade have joined forces to make sure that the production and trade of rough diamond contributes to peace and sustainable economic and human development. Through the Chairmanship this year, and a number of concrete projects, the EU is committed to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds and improve mining communities’ livelihoods.
For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission is proposing to increase the external action budget to €123 billion, to significantly simplify its structure, and make it much more flexible and effective to address today's global challenges.
Officials of the EU and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency MSB signed on 30 May in Brussels the contract on a dedicated warehouse as of June. This will significantly improve the logistical support for the ten civilian CSDP Missions. Key equipment and logistical services can swiftly be made available to the 2,000 women and men in the field.
The European Commission on 2 May presented its proposal for the next EU budget. The proposal responds to the challenge of the Brexit budget hole as well as rising expectations for the EU to play a greater role in providing security and stability in an unstable world.
In 2018, the European Union holds the Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process, a global partnership which brings together governments, industry and civil society with the aim to eliminate the trade in so-called conflict diamonds worldwide.
