The EU and its citizens face major challenges like managing globalisation to our advantage, responding to threats like terrorism, organized crime and the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and securing an international order based on the rule of law and well-functioning multilateral institutions. All of this requires a strong EU on the international stage that is capable of promoting peace, security and stability and of protecting its values and interests, with a strong European Commission at the heart.

The priorities of my work are threefold:                                                                

• As Commissioner for External Relations I am representing the EU towards third countries, fostering cooperation and promoting dialogue with our partners.        
• Through the European Neighbourhood Policy, I aim at building a particularly strong partnership between the enlarged EU and our neighbours to the east and on the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean.
• As Commissioner responsible for the Europe Aid Cooperation Office, I want to ensure that the EU’s financial and technical support throughout the world is deployed wisely and effectively. 

In my work, I cooperate closely with the acting Presidency of the Council of the EU, the High Representative for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, and with my fellow Members of the European Commission also belonging to the Group of Commissioners on External Relations: Olli Rehn, responsible for EU Enlargement; Catherine Ashton, in charge of Trade; Karel De Gucht, covering Development assistance and Humanitarian Aid; and Joaquin Almunia, responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs. This Group is chaired by President José Manuel Barroso with me as his Vice-Chair.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner

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