HOMEPAGE
RESEARCH THEMES
Small arms (SALW)
Belgium and the arms trade
Conflicts in Africa
Conflicts and the environment
International conflicts
The arms economy
Electoral processes on security
Europe in the world
Peacekeeping
Non-proliferation
Reform of the security sector
Arms transfers
Mailing list
Analyses
Reports
Books
GRIP News
Short News
Database
 GRIP shop

 GRIP Blogs

 • lisbon-treaty.grip.org
 Internal documents
 Restricted access

The Lisbon Treaty and the European Union's foreign action
by Federico Santopinto

The European Union’s role on the international stage is far from easy to grasp. In terms of trade and development cooperation, the EU has been able to emerge as a globally-recognised key player. In the strictly political domain, however, the EU’s identity is far more blurred. Over time, the European institutions have certainly acquired important powers over foreign affairs, security and defence, but the complexity of the institutional mechanisms governing these powers and the unanimous voting rule have prevented the EU from asserting itself globally with a clearly defined role.

This has resulted in a confusing situation with the EU coming and going from the scene depending on the issue being discussed and the mood of the members of the European Council. Kosovo, Iraq, Russia, Lebanon, the UN, Africa and Iran – when it does put in an appearance, the EU’s presence at big international security summits is in constant flux, the extent of its involvement and influence varying widely.

Against such a backdrop, it is difficult to define exactly what the EU’s role in the world is. Some analysts, like Hanns Maull, argue that the EU cannot be considered as a traditional power because it wields its influence through what it is and what it represents rather than what it actually does. In other words, the EU is a passive rather than a proactive power.

This judgement is a little over-severe. In some situations, the EU has proved itself highly active – in the case of Africa, for example, where its action is often underestimated by commentators and the media. This does not alter the fact, however, that the EU does not appear as a global player that is capable of coherently and effectively asserting itself in the long-term. Although exaggerated, Maull’s characterisation has the merit of illustrating the nature of the problem facing the EU outside its borders. It is a weak player despite having a considerable power of influence. Its ability to make use of this power of influence is the main foreign relations challenge that will have to be addressed in the reform of the European treaties.

 

• Download the report (PDF file):
• Order a printed issue of the report at GRIP shop:
 Le traité de Lisbonne et l'action extérieure de l'Union européenne
 Federico Santopinto, 23 p.
 [ Rapports | 6,00  | Ajouter ]
 
 Latest updates
 Website map
 Print
  
 Contact | Access
Update: 26/03/2009


 
 
 
ABOUT GRIP | RESEARCH AREAS | RESEARCH THEMES | PUBLICATIONS | DOCUMENTATION CENTRE
Mailing list | Latest updates | Website map | Search | Shop | Contact | Access to GRIP | RSS
Envoyer page Edition