The EU has its own foreign and security policy, enabling it to speak – and act – as one in world affairs.
Changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 make it easier for the EU to be more active and coherent in its approach. These changes include the appointment of an EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who coordinates between EU countries to shape and implement foreign policy. The High Representative is assisted by civilian and military staff, the European External Action Service.
EU technical assistance for border authorities at the Ukraine/Moldova border.
The EU is a key player in international issues ranging from global warming to the conflict in the Middle East. The basis for the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP) remains the use of diplomacy - backed where necessary by trade, aid and security and defence - to resolve conflicts and bring about international understanding.
The EU has sent peacekeeping missions to several of the world’s trouble spots. In August 2008, the EU brokered a ceasefire between Georgia and Russia, deployed EU observers to monitor the situation (EU monitoring mission Georgia), and provided humanitarian aid to people displaced by the fighting.
The EU also has a leading role in the Balkans, where it is funding assistance projects in seven countries to help them build stable societies. In Kosovo, the EU deployed a 1 900-strong police and justice force in December 2008 to help ensure law and order (EULEX Kosovo).
EU peacekeepers arrive in Chad.
The EU has no standing army. Instead, under its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it relies on ad hoc forces contributed by EU countries for:
All these tasks may contribute to the fight against terrorism, including by supporting third countries in combating terrorism in their territories.
Over the last decade, the EU has launched 23 civilian missions and military operations on 3 continents deployed in response to crises, ranging from post-tsunami peace building in Aceh, to protecting refugees in Chad, to fight against piracy. The EU's role as a security player is expanding.
Since January 2007, the EU - if so decided by the Council of the EU - is able to undertake rapid response operations with two concurrent 1 500-strong single-battle groups and, if so required, to launch both operations almost simultaneously.
Foreign and security policy is one area where essential authority remains with EU governments, although the European External Action Service and, to a lesser extent the European Commission and European Parliament, are associated with the process. Key decisions are taken by unanimous vote.
The EU has introduced flexible voting procedures on CFSP decisions but unanimity is still required on decisions with military or defence implications.
A global task
The sheer size of the 27-nation EU - in economic, trade and financial terms - makes it a major force in the world. It is the world’s biggest trader, with the world’s second currency. It has trade and partnership agreements all over the world and spends over €7bn a year on aid to developing countries.
The EU plays an important role in global affairs – and its weight is growing as EU countries increasingly make collective foreign policy decisions.
Building relations with the republics of central Asia.
The EU maintains partnerships with all the world's key players – including new ones – each with their own world views and interests. It seeks to ensure that its partnerships are based on mutual interests and benefits, in which both parties have rights as well as duties. The EU holds regular summits with the United States, Japan, Canada, Russia, India and China. Its relations with these and other countries span many fields, including education, the environment, security and defence, crime and human rights.
The EU is committed to an effective and balanced partnership with the US, its biggest trading partner. The two cooperate on many different levels:
Recognising their growing ties, the EU and Russia are seeking more cooperation on all fronts. These include:
Regarding the EU's common security and defence policy, special relations are developing with Russia in the form of a shared roadmap on security, identifying practical measures for closer co-operation. Since 2003, Russia has also contributed to some EU missions (in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Chad, for example).
Election observers are deployed worldwide as part of the EU's support for human rights.
As with Russia, the EU is moving to strengthen ties with Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. The EU is concerned about stability in this region after the August 2008 Russia-Georgia war, which ended in an EU-brokered ceasefire and the deployment of an EU monitoring mission in Georgia. The EU offers considerable funding for these countries, as well as the prospect of free-trade agreements if they undertake political and economic reforms to strengthen democracy.
The Union for the Mediterranean seeks to forge closer ties with the Middle East and the EU's North-African neighbours. Bringing together the 27 EU members and 16 other countries as diverse as Israel, Turkey and Syria, the new forum covers nearly 800 million people. It will undertake joint projects to revitalise the Mediterranean, such as cleaning up pollution, renovating ports, improving shipping and developing solar energy. The Arab League and the Palestinian Authority will also be represented.
The EU is intensifying relations with regional groups, particularly in Asia and Latin America. With its fast-developing Asian partners, the EU has created ‘enhanced partnerships’ – agreements which balance the economic, political, social and cultural elements of the relationships.
Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) have been officially accepted as candidates for EU membership. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia are potential candidates.
Kosovo declared itself independent from Serbia in 2008, but there is still no international agreement on its status. The EU is actively seeking a diplomatic solution, while providing practical help.
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