"The new European security strategy in the broader sense calls for bundling the various instruments and capabilities, also those like the European Development Fund and other support programmes. Security is not only seen as the most important precondition for development, but development aid is also considered an important tool to prevent the outbreak of internal conflicts in weak, underdeveloped states. Becoming a global partner thus means even more than a global player since it entails more responsibilities in the sphere of values in addition to necessities. In this respect the testing ground South East Europe has contributed substantially to the self-assessment and the development of the role of the EU in the international political arena."