80. Notes the efforts made towards cooperation between the EU and the USA following the
‘pivot’ to Asia, as demonstrated by the common approach to the lifting of sanctions on
Myanmar; calls, therefore, for greater coordination of US and EU policies towards Asia,
together with those of key partners such as Australia and New Zealand; urges, to this end,
the swift conclusion of the negotiations on framework agreements with Australia and New
Zealand, which should reflect the EU's common approach to the inclusion of clearly worded
political clauses on human rights and democracy in all international agreements negotiated
by the EU;
81. Recalls the first EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue held in June 2012 and the commitment to
constructive discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation and shared views on regional
and international issues of mutual concern, including more proactive engagement in favour
of a pluralistic society as an essential element in the fight against terrorism; calls on the
VP/HR to update Parliament on follow-up to that strategic dialogue and preparations for the
next one, which should take place in Brussels in 2013;
82. Commends Taiwan’s continuous efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific
region; recognises the progress made in cross-Strait relations, especially the flourishing
economic links, tourism and cultural cooperation; reiterates its firm support for Taiwan’s
meaningful participation in relevant international organisations and activities, including the
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; urges the Commission and the Council to
facilitate the negotiation of an EU-Taiwan economic cooperation agreement (ECA);
encourages closer bilateral cooperation between the EU and Taiwan in areas such as trade,
research, culture, education and environmental protection;
83. Remains deeply concerned about the continuing massive human rights violations in North
Korea and its continuing tests of increasingly powerful nuclear devices and longer-range
missiles, which remain a serious threat to international peace, stability and security and to
the country’s economic development;
Multilateral partners
84. Believes that the G-20 could prove a useful and particularly appropriate forum for
consensus-building that is inclusive, based on partnership and able to foster convergence,
including regulatory convergence; takes the view, however, that the G-20 has yet to prove
its value in converting summit conclusions into sustainable policies that address critical
challenges;
85. Acknowledges the role of the UNSC as the highest international body responsible for
peacekeeping and international security, while noting that recent crises have highlighted its
growing inability to act in a timely manner in response to serious threats to international
peace and security, on account of its structures and working methods; urges the VP/HR,
therefore, to put her efforts into securing a permanent EU seat in the UNSC and steering the
reform of the UNSC; calls on those EU Member States that hold a permanent seat to
involve the VP/HR in their decision-making;
86. Calls for the EU and its Member States to reconfirm the EU’s commitment to advancing
effective multilateralism, with the UN system at its core, by enhancing the
representativeness, accountability and effectiveness of the UN, which necessitates the
reform of the UNSC, including restrictions on the power of veto; stresses the importance of
working with other international partners in order to respond to international challenges;