External dimension
Europe in a globalised world – the external dimension of freedom, security and justice
The growing importance of relations with third countries in matters of security and justice has led to the conclusion of a number of agreements (e.g. the October 2009 EU USA agreements on mutual legal assistance and extradition, various agreements on visa facilitation and liberalisation, and visa facilitation and readmission agreements). Relying on the simplified institutional framework introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, the Stockholm Programme aims to develop cooperation with third countries:
■ Enhanced external dimension
In view of the current importance of the external dimension of the Union's policy in the area of freedom, security and justice, these policies must be increasingly integrated into the general policies of the Union and, in the first instance, its foreign policy. Priorities in external relations will inform and guide the prioritisation of the work of relevant EU agencies (Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, the European Police College, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and the European Asylum Support Office ).
The adoption of the Lisbon Treaty offers new possibilities for the Union to act more efficiently in external relations.
The adoption of the Lisbon Treaty offers new possibilities for the Union to act more efficiently in external relations. The European External Action Service will ensure better coherence between traditional external policy instruments and internal instruments with significant external dimensions, such as freedom, security and justice. Including specific competence in the area of freedom, security and justice will give added value to the Union delegations in strategic partner countries.
■ Human rights
The values of the Union should be promoted and international law should be developed and strictly complied with.
The Lisbon Treaty offers the Union new instruments as regards the protection of fundamental rights, both internally and externally. The values of the Union should be promoted and international law should be developed and strictly complied with. The linkage between the internal and external aspects of human rights must be taken into account, for instance as regards the principle of non-refoulement or the use of the death penalty by partners that the Union cooperates with.
■ Continued thematic priorities with new tools
The key thematic priorities identified in the strategy remain valid, i.e. the fight against terrorism, organised crime, corruption and drugs, the exchange of personal data in a secure environment and managing migration flows. The fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of persons needs to be stepped up.
■ Agreements with third countries
The Treaty of Lisbon provides for new and more efficient procedures for the conclusion of agreements with third countries. There is a particular need for a coherent legislative framework for the Union for transfers of personal data to third countries for law enforcement. A framework model agreement consisting of commonly applicable core elements of data protection will be created.
■ Geographical priorities
The Union must continue to promote European and international standards and the ratification of international conventions.
Union action in external relations should focus on key partners, in particular: candidate countries and countries with a European Union membership perspective, European neighbourhood countries, the European Economic Area/Schengen States, the United States of America, the Russian Federation and other priority countries or regions, in terms of their contribution to EU strategic or geographical priorities.
■ International organisations and promotion of European and international standards
The EU reiterates its commitment to effective multilateralism that supplements bilateral and regional partnerships with third countries and regions. The Union must continue to promote European and international standards and the ratification of international conventions, in particular those developed under the auspices of the UN, and the Council of Europe and the Hague Conference on private international law.