Foreign Minister Stubb and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt propose establishment of the European Institute of Peace
Press Release 245/2010
3 September 2010
Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt published an initiative supporting EU peace mediation activities in Stockholm on 3 September.
The ministers propose that the European Union establish the European Institute of Peace, an independent body focusing on conflict resolution and peace mediation. The European Institute of Peace could engage in conflict resolution activities worldwide, not least those of the UN. It could train Europeans for service in situations where classic diplomacy is not always optimal.
With the External Action Service, the EU gains the opportunity to promote peace and stability more effectively. The efforts of traditional diplomacy, however, are not always enough, the ministers state in their initiative, addressed to EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. Peace mediation expertise is increasingly found in non-governmental organizations, and thus is not always available to decision-makers.
Financing of the European Institute of Peace should come from the EU Member States and European institutions. Non-member European countries could also engage in the Institute’s activities.
It is the wish of Foreign Minister Stubb and Foreign Minister Bildt that the European Institute of Peace would make the EU a peace promotion pioneer.
Additional information: Päivi Pohjanheimo, Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 040 511 3786, and Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Press Attaché to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, mobile tel. +358 40 732 8340