International trade must be fair and equitable. The emerging protectionism and unfair trade practices present new challenges that must be met with a policy of strength. Where diplomacy and old ties no longer help, new alliances must also be considered.

Trade with emerging and developing countries requires particular sensitivity, and the EU must not exploit its economically superior position to the detriment of those states. Trade agreements must therefore always be aimed at creating sustainable production and delivery conditions in third countries. The required complete opening of the markets in Africa is to be rejected, because the local producers could not compete with the European suppliers and would inevitably be ruined. The flooding of local markets with cheap goods must stop, as well as unsustainable fishing in local coastal regions.

Peace is one of the most important achievements of European integration. Securing peace must not only be a central goal within the community, but also outside it. The EU must therefore make every possible effort to contribute to international conflict and crisis management. Peace diplomacy is essential, but the first step is to stop the delivery of weapons of war to crisis regions.

Any attempt at peacekeeping will fail if military equipment from EU Member States continues to be exported to war zones on a large scale. We therefore call for the establishment of an EU-wide, stringent arms control system so that such exports can be effectively prevented, and violations sanctioned.