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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.
Upon the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Timor-Leste, the EU deployed an Election Expert Mission (EEM), composed of a political-electoral analyst and a legal analyst to assess the early legislative elections on 12 May 2018.
Election observation is a highly visible demonstration of the EU's commitment to supporting democracy and promoting human rights around the world. It contributes to strengthening democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence, especially in fragile, post-conflict or developing regions. It also complements other key EU foreign policy objectives, particularly peace-building.
Une élection capitale marquée par d’importants défis organisationnels et sécuritaires
Renate Weber, Chief Observer of the EU EOM Paraguay 2018, issued the mission's final report following Paraguay 2018 general elections, including 20 recommendations for future improvements.
Final report:
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.
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.
