The EU is an established major player on the world stage in terms of its economic influence.  Increasingly it is also emerging as a significant player on other political and security issues.  The UK sees the EU as an important component in a range of multilateral responses to the problems the world faces,  often acting alongside the UN, NATO and other organisations. Th EU’s comparative advantage comes from the range of policy instruments it can bring to bear, from diplomacy and military intervention, to development assistance and civilian stabilisation missions, through to trade policy and the pull of the single market and its associated powers.

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

The common foreign and security policy was introduced under the 1992 Treaty on the European Union (Maastricht treaty) and has since been modified by successive treaties. It introduced principles of protecting common values and interests, strengthening the security of the Union, preserving peace and international security, and promoting international co-operation, democracy and respect for human rights. The practical implementation of this policy has resulted, for example, in peace-keeping, conflict prevention and crisis management missions.

Most decisions to act on any given foreign policy area can only be taken with the agreement of all member states. They are represented at the highest level by the President of the European Council (currently the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy) and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (Javier Solana).  The European Commissioner also has a Commissioner responsible for external relations (Benita Ferrero-Waldner), as well as for development (Louis Michel), enlargement (Olli Rehn) and Trade (Peter Mandelson).  Many other areas of internal policy, such as transport, justice and home affairs, and energy, also have important external dimensions.

European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP)

An effective European security and defence policy has a vital role to play in supporting the EU’s external activities.  Whilst the collective defence of most EU member states is assured through NATO, the EU has an emerging role in providing both military and civilian stabilisation missions.  Decisions on the deployment of forces remain national.

The results of these efforts have been seen on the ground in a number of successful EU-led missions in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.  Many of these missions focus on contributing to stability, for example by sending EU police and civilian experts to mentor and advise their local counterparts in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Palestine as they establish professional and accountable rule of law structures. Other missions work with the local military to promote reform of the security sector and stabilise the region.

More recently the EU has sent a civilian monitoring mission to assess the situation throughout Georgia.  It is increasingly through these types of peace-keeping, monitoring and conflict prevention roles that Europe has truly shown its influence on the international stage.

Enlargement

The enlargement of the borders of the EU is an important aspect of both Europe's internal and external policies. As well as having clear social and economic benefits for citizens, enlargement has also proved an important tool in promoting peace and stability both within Europe's border and in neighbouring regions.  Strict entry criteria for new member states have to be met which drives reform leading to further economic prosperity, stability and democracy in these countries.  

The largest intake of new member states (10 in total) occurred in 2004, and more recently Romania and Bulgaria joined the Union in 2007.  The  current candidate countries are Croatia, Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.  Other countries of the Western Balkans, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo are prospective candidates.

European neighbourhood policy (ENP)

The European Neighbourhood Policy is a means of promoting closer cooperation with countries situated in the immediate proximity of the European Union, but which are not prospective candidates for membership. Similarly the EU uses the ENP as a tool for promoting security and prosperity in these regions. The ENP policy currently embraces certain countries in the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, Israel and parts of the Middle East.

Conclusion

The UK believes that the EU has an important role to play in promoting stability and prosperity both within and outside its borders.  It also actively contributes to the improvement of common European defence capabilities and resources.  The range of instruments described above are a vital aspect of engaging with the outside world.  These must be conducted in conjunction with and respect for the vital work that the EU carries out, for example in its trade and development policies.