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Why are human rights and democratic principles at the core of the agreement? What is hidden behind this?
In the current context of globalization, agreements between the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries have increasingly become an important diplomatic tool, especially "Association Agreements". These agreements not only cover economic, trade, cultural and other fields, but are also based on specific core values, of which human rights and democratic principles are important cornerstones.
According to the definition of the European External Action Service, association agreements must meet a number of criteria, including "a clause respecting human rights and democratic principles", which has been one of the basic elements of the agreement since 1995. This reflects the European Union's desire not only to deepen economic cooperation with external countries, but also to promote democratic governance and the protection of human rights through these agreements.
The association agreement is not only an economic exchange, but also the transmission of values.
The inclusion of human rights and democratic principles is not just a formal condition, but is intended to promote political reform and social progress within non-EU countries. By requiring these countries to commit to human rights and democratic norms in the agreement, the EU is actually shaping the political environment in its surrounding areas and trying to build a more stable and secure partnership.
An example of this strategy is relations with neighboring countries in Eastern Europe. For example, when signing association agreements, countries such as Ukraine and Moldova made commitments to democratic reforms and the improvement of human rights conditions. This not only enables these countries to obtain market access and economic assistance, but also promotes internal reforms to a certain extent. Because of this, many non-EU countries strive to meet these requirements in the hope of receiving deeper cooperation.
The commitment to human rights and democratic principles is not only a prerequisite for foreign exchanges, but also a driving force for domestic policy reform.
However, this policy also faces challenges. Some countries may be dissatisfied with the EU's human rights diplomacy and consider it an interference in internal affairs. In fact, compliance with human rights and the implementation of democratic governance are not always complementary to economic development, and sometimes even lead to internal political instability. This is a practical issue that most countries that have signed association agreements with the EU must consider.
In addition, because EU member states also have human rights issues within themselves, this makes foreign policies that promote human rights and democratic principles even more contradictory. For example, the migrant crisis faced by certain member states and their attitudes towards migrants often renders criticism from other member states subtle. Such a situation requires the EU to be more cautious and strategic when facing external partners.
The real challenge is how to balance one's own values with the internal interests of partner countries.
In today's world of global multipolarity, the role of association agreements is not only to promote trade and economic interaction, but also to promote the EU's core values in the political field. In this sense, these agreements have far-reaching impacts and have become a catalyst for countries around the world to develop towards more democracy and freedom.
Ultimately, whether this foreign policy based on human rights and democracy can truly achieve its original intention requires more observation and practice. Will there be real change when non-EU countries accept these demands? Can human rights and democracy become an important force in promoting the progress of these countries? All this makes people think deeply.
While understanding global political and economic trends, perhaps we should think more deeply: Can the promotion of human rights and democracy truly become a core element in international relations?
