"In January alone, we have had to deal with so many emergencies. Just think of the Russian gas affair or Iran’s position on nuclear research, which will be dealt with tomorrow by the International Agency for Atomic Energy. And then the disease of the Israeli prime minister, Sharon, the death of Rugova, the historical leader of Kosovo, the Palestinian elections, with their surprising results. Well, in all these circumstances, the European Union has played a key role; it has been and it must remain a protagonist of the continental and world scenes". Javier Solana, senior representative for foreign policy of the 25-member EU, took the floor in the afternoon in front of the EU Parliament gathered in Brussels until tomorrow. Solana outlined an ever-moving geopolitical picture and listed the EU’s priorities. "Ukrainian elections are already waiting for us, and we have been asked to take action in Congo and Darfur". The EU needs "shared positions" to contribute to the building of democracy and the defence of peace. The Assembly will be called to deal with foreign policy issues as well, such as a resolution about Cuba, asking for "immediate release of all political prisoners and conscientious prisoners held in the country" and condemning the breaches of "man’s most basic rights, in particular freedom of speech, of thought and of political association".
