Worldwide governance indicators – political stability 2014 (percentile range)

The development of an EU Global Strategy is part of the European Union response. The present focus on the security dimension in relations with neighbouring regions must not divert attention from supposedly ’softer‘ work on democratic accountability, human rights and the rule of law. As described in a report from the European Union Institute for Strategic Studies, EU relations with West Africa illustrate an emerging trend: to include in a trade and aid agreement provisions for coordination on security, law-enforcement and crime-fighting. Cooperation with state actors and law enforcement agencies is essential, but this should not mean the downgrading of broader cooperation with civil society.