DEMOCRACY SUPPORT IN EU EXTERNAL ACTION

Respect for democracy is one of the fundamental values on which the EU is founded. Also the European external action “shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms” (Art. 21 TEU).

A democracy can only thrive if citizens fully understand their democratic rights and duties, government power is restricted through effective checks and balances including a level playing field for different political parties, if the media can play their information and oversight role in an unrestricted way, in which the rule of law enables the judiciary to professionally and independently provide justice and in which fundamental rights are protected.