The EU’s external relations

The EU’s international activities are guided by the principles that inspired its own creation, development and enlargement. They include the promotion of human rights and democracy – principles that are also embedded in the United Nations Charter and international law. The EU also highlights its strategic interests and objectives in its international activities and relations. It continues to broaden and enhance its political and trade relations with other countries and regions of the world. It holds regular summits with its strategic partners. It also supports development, cooperation and political dialogue with non-EU countries in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Western Balkans.