We translate political ideas into action that can be implemented in practice

Source: Zweeds voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2009 i, published on Thursday, July 16 2009.

An abbreviation of the French term ‘relations extérieures’ – external relations—explains the name of the RELEX Working Party, which is to meet informally in Stockholm on 16–17 July. Counsellor Therese Hydén will chair the meeting and has answered four questions here about what work in the RELEX (Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors) involves.

What is meant by RELEX?

“RELEX, or the Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors as we are also called, is a group working with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). To put it simply, you could say that we translate political ideas into action that can be implemented in practice. This may be a matter, for example, of sanctions against terrorists or the leading elites in dictatorships. It may also be about decisions on more concrete initiatives, where the EU sends police officers or military staff to a country to help create stability and security, or assistance in the form of training local police services, or monitoring borders. The EU is doing that in countries such as Afghanistan and Georgia.”

What types of issues are dealt with in RELEX?

“At the moment a good deal of time is spent on various decisions on sanctions. The general intention with sanctions is to bring about a change in a country that, for example, violates human rights or breaks international rules. In concrete terms, they may involve prohibiting the trade in certain goods, or bans on travelling to Europe. The whole idea is that the greater the number of countries that support an action, the greater the weight behind it. Quite simply, it has a stronger impact. In fact, this is the whole point of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy."

What are you going to do at the informal meeting in Stockholm?

“One of the items on the agenda is hearing about Swedish experience from the EU mission in Chad (which helped protect refugee camps) and how you go about starting a military operation from scratch. It is extremely important to hear from those out in the field who actually carry out the missions that we decide upon.”

What challenges do you envisage as chair of RELEX?

“The challenge lies in achieving a common standpoint in the Common Foreign and Security Policy. All the EU Member States have to agree on carrying out a specific action, and in a specific way. This involves both the political objectives, and practical implementation. The process takes time, patience and many telephone calls to colleagues in different countries. Achieving results – getting everyone’s agreement – is a great reward for all the preparatory work,” says Therese Hydén.