Today is the starting day of GLOBAL EUROPE, a web platform dedicated to information and discussion about Europe’s global role.
I do not start this enterprise with a definition of what exactly “global Europe” means, or what it should mean. The tension between a maximalist view (which would include a whole range of policies of all EU member states as well as European non-member states) and a minimalist approach (which would focus only on the relevant EU institutions) is rather part of my approach.
This open approach reflects the openness in which the European project finds itself at the moment, especially with regards to foreign relations. In contrast to, let’s say, American foreign policy, it is far from clear what “European foreign policy” means today — ten years after the creation of the post of a “High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy”.
Things are very much in flux: What exactly is the role of the European Commission and the European Parliament in the shaping of common European action? And to what extent is the EU actually led by the “big three” — London, Paris and Berlin? Is the permanent consultation among European leaders (and their staff) leading to an alignment of the foreign policies of the 27 EU members? Or is the need to find a compromise among 27 countries blocking the EU from bold and swift action?
The uncertainty about such questions — which is shared by actors and the public — is further being reinforced by uncertainty about future developments. It is far from clear where the European journey will go: Will there be more common action or less? Does the journey go towards the “United States of Europe” or rather towards the “United Europe of States” ? All this will determine what kind of global actor the EU can and will be.
What is clear meanwhile is that the EU is a unique beast — with features of statehood, but also with features that are rather characteristic for agreements between sovereign states. What is also clear is that this undefined, fluid identity is the basis on which every attempt to create something like a EU foreign policy has to be built.
Nevertheless, as so often in the history of the EU, the fact that coordination among the 27 exists, as well as common action, creates in itself a dynamic that should not be underestimated. If the Lisbon treaty will be ratified, the institutional foundation for an even more ambitious dynamic might be laid.
The aim of GLOBAL EUROPE is to accompany this journey by becoming a central platform for an informed discussion of the EU’s foreign relations and Europe as a global actor.
The site is being launched with a thematic series of “Standpoints”. I have asked a number of leading thinkers to respond to three questions about the topic this site is about: the EU’s foreign relations and Europe’s global role.
Their views vary broadly, but they all conclude that Europe actually needs to become a global player. Not only in order to stay relevant abroad, but also in order to continue to be able to shape things at home.
Best,
Ulrich Speck
Founder and editor of GLOBAL EUROPE
Email: globeurope at gmail dot com