Thinktankers wail at EU woes

THE European Union's economic and political malaise has many casualties. In this letter published on EU Observer leading lights from all the European thinktanks highlight another looming problem: the cost to EU foreign policy. Why should anyone take an organisation seriously that cannot make decisions about its own future? Here's the letter

Dear EU leaders,

We are seriously concerned about the impact that the current eurozone debt crisis is having on the external relations of the Union.

The first casualty is the time available for foreign policy. We recognise and support your efforts to overcome the current crisis but it is important that our relations with third countries do not suffer as a consequence. Important summits have been postponed and there is less time to focus on priority issues such as supporting the transitions in North Africa.

A second problem is the resources available for foreign policy. The EU’s budget for external affairs is already small and any further cuts would seriously impact on the EU’s pretensions to play a global role.

A third potential problem is access to the EU’s market. There are many voices calling for protection against ‘unfair competition’ from third countries. We consider it important to maintain an open EU market albeit access based on reciprocity as regards our strategic partners.

A fourth factor is the damage to the EU’s image as a well-governed entity, an important basis for the EU’s attraction as a soft power. Restoring the EU’s economic health would of course help repair the damage to our image.

Fifth, the US global footprint is set to decline due to budget cuts. This means that the EU will have to take more responsibility for its own security and regional security. It is important that this case is put to EU citizens.

Furthermore, ensuring the continuation of a strong liberal world order that emerged after the Second World War remains a key European interest. It is essential that emerging powers become stakeholders in that order.

Only a strong, united and self-confident EU can help strengthen and further develop global institutions and rules that are a necessity to ensure European security and prosperity.

The external relations of the EU cannot be seen as an afterthought. An inward looking EU will be at the mercy of others. And it will not be able to shape the global order according to its values and interests. Investment in foreign policy is an investment in the long-term viability of European freedom, prosperity and security.

 

Fraser Cameron, EU-Asia Centre;Ulrich Speck, Global Europe Initiative; Josef Janning, European Policy Centre; Pierre Defraigne, Madaragia Foundation; Charles Grant, Centre for European Reform; Shada Islam, Friends of Europe; Gustaaf Geererts, Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies; Gerald Knaus, European Stability Initiative; Nicu Popescu, European Council on Foreign Relations; Michael Emerson, Centre for European Policy Studies; Ulrike Guérot, European Council on Foreign Relations; Fabrizio Tassinari, Danish Institute for International Studies; José Ignacio Torreblanca, European Council on Foreign Relations; Jonas Parello-Plesner, European Council on Foreign Relations; Rosa Balfour, European Policy Centre; Giles Merritt, Security and Defence Agenda; Geert Cami, Friends of Europe; Richard Youngs, FRIDE; Ben Judah, European Council on Foreign Relations; Paweł Świeboda, Demos Europa; Dimitar Bechev, European Council on Foreign Relations; Sven Biscop, Egmont Institute; Stefani Weiss, Bertelsmann Stiftung; Daniel Korski, European Council on Foreign Relations; Ralf Fücks, Heinrich Böll Stiftung; Sami Andoura, Notre Europe; Jan Techau, Carnegie Europe; Heather Grabbe, Open Society Foundation; Richard Gowan, European Council on Foreign Relations; Amanda Paul, European Policy Centre; Tomáš Valášek, Centre for European Reform; Constanze Stelzenmüller, German Marshall Fund; Almut Möller, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik.