DEFINING THE ROLE OF THE EU AS A GLOBAL ACTOR: CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES
Journal
Political Thought
Date Issued
2021-08
Author(s)
Vasko Naumovski
Abstract
The Union’s internal cohesion is key to the effectiveness of European responses and
dealing with global crises. The EU institutions and the member states must establish
a common vision that would be realized through strong coordination structures for
harmonization of action and adoption of appropriate measures for increased visibility
in the modern international system. The concept of the EU as a global actor that relies
primarily on its soft power is a concept that belongs to the past, as it cannot provide
a sufficient international presence in proportion to the size of the Union. The EU as a
global power with combined power characteristics is a more appropriate concept to
achieve the ambitions for influence on the international scene. The COVID-19 crisis has
confirmed the thesis that the EU needs “strategic autonomy” to be able to reduce its
dependence on other global actors in its foreign relations, so that it can make more
autonomous decisions to promote its interests. There are several areas in which the EU
has already developed appropriate instruments and initiatives to assert its authority,
such as the protection of the environment and climate change, energy and transport, the
digitalization process and finance, and needs to work harder to strengthen its position on
dealing with modern security and defense threats. In all these areas, the EU’s normative
power as a promoter of certain values is the strongest attribute it should use to maintain
multilateralism through more visible participation in international organizations.
The current crisis brings with it great uncertainty and unpredictability, but what is quite
certain is that the map of Europe will not change. Therefore, the EU should recognize
the Western Balkans as its ally and partner in the process of the continent’s unification
and strengthening. Therefore, the EU should approach the region as an equal actor and
include it in its foreign policy initiatives to increase continental integrity and promote
common European values.
dealing with global crises. The EU institutions and the member states must establish
a common vision that would be realized through strong coordination structures for
harmonization of action and adoption of appropriate measures for increased visibility
in the modern international system. The concept of the EU as a global actor that relies
primarily on its soft power is a concept that belongs to the past, as it cannot provide
a sufficient international presence in proportion to the size of the Union. The EU as a
global power with combined power characteristics is a more appropriate concept to
achieve the ambitions for influence on the international scene. The COVID-19 crisis has
confirmed the thesis that the EU needs “strategic autonomy” to be able to reduce its
dependence on other global actors in its foreign relations, so that it can make more
autonomous decisions to promote its interests. There are several areas in which the EU
has already developed appropriate instruments and initiatives to assert its authority,
such as the protection of the environment and climate change, energy and transport, the
digitalization process and finance, and needs to work harder to strengthen its position on
dealing with modern security and defense threats. In all these areas, the EU’s normative
power as a promoter of certain values is the strongest attribute it should use to maintain
multilateralism through more visible participation in international organizations.
The current crisis brings with it great uncertainty and unpredictability, but what is quite
certain is that the map of Europe will not change. Therefore, the EU should recognize
the Western Balkans as its ally and partner in the process of the continent’s unification
and strengthening. Therefore, the EU should approach the region as an equal actor and
include it in its foreign policy initiatives to increase continental integrity and promote
common European values.
Subjects
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