But it is not enough. One of the key results of the Helsinki European Council last December was to set an objective to provide the Union with sufficient military and non-military capabilities to intervene in humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping and crisis management. The Union, both through the Commission and the Member States, has long been the world's largest provider of humanitarian aid. But we also have to develop new capabilities to be able to respond more effectively. So often, humanitarian crises are the result of conflict and instability.
Prevention is better than cure.
So the Union, if it is serious, must take a more active role in conflict prevention. But when conflicts do break out, we must be active in helping to resolve them. When they have subsequently been settled, we must be better placed to help keep the peace. It means taking more responsibility for events on our doorstep. It means not necessarily expecting others to cross the world to provide a helping hand.