FRIDE Crisis and EU foreign policy

Challenges for European Foreign Policy in 2012. What kind of geo-economic Europe?

Publicaciones FRIDE — 2012-02-11T18:56:49+01:00

At the end of each year, the FRIDE team reflects on the challenges likely to dominate the EU’s foreign policy agenda in the following twelve months. The unifying thread of these challenges for 2012 is that of geo-economics. The euro crisis and shifts in global power require a more assertive focus on immediate economic interests. Geo-economics is likely to be of increasing relevance to European foreign policy debates in 2012.

European foreign policy and economic crisis: what impact and how to respond?

Richard Youngs — 2012-02-11T18:56:49+01:00

The economic crisis will gradually have a deeper impact on the EU’s external relations. The effect of a two-speed Europe on the EU’s place in global affairs is uncertain. The crisis is pushing the EU and its member states into a more instrumental focus on geo-economic interests. This more assertive focus on commercial interests is necessary but must be cast in terms of a broader geo-strategic response to the current crisis. This working paper suggests four principles that should guide such a strategy.

After the summit: can the cracks be healed?

Giovanni Grevi — 2012-02-11T18:56:49+01:00

The summit on 8-9 December launched a fiscal compact but it is as yet unclear whether it will save the euro. Political leadership will be necessary to fill the gaps of growth and legitimacy that the focus on austerity is widening.

Are we moving towards greater European integration?

Pedro Solbes — 2012-02-11T18:56:49+01:00

Angela Merkel’s plan to save the euro, which includes centralised oversight over national budgets and automatic sanctions against countries that violate firmer rules on deficits, was approved by 26 of the 27 member states. The UK opted-out of the accord, giving way to a new era in the European Union without London.

'Donetsk rules' and the looming crisis with Ukraine

Balázs Jarábik — 2012-02-11T18:56:49+01:00

2012 is supposed to be the ‘Year of Europe’ in Ukraine. The country is expected to sign an Association Agreement with the EU which would place it firmly in the European orbit. But after the Tymoshenko trial, 2012 seems set to be a ‘Year of Conflict’ with the EU.

Towards an Enhanced Polish-Spanish Partnership

Bartlomiej Znojek — 2012-02-11T18:56:49+01:00

This paper by the Polish Institute of International Affairs argues that despite the likely preoccupation with the immediate internal challenges and broader, EU-wide concerns, Poland and Spain stand a good chance of bolstering their relationship given their credentials as ardent advocates of European integration and a positive track-record of the bilateral cooperation to date. In particular, the relationship could benefit from the further development of its institutional framework, and from recasting the dialogue on crucial matters such as European neighbourhood or European defense cooperation. While Poland and Spain may not see eye-to-eye on certain issues—the future EU budget being arguably the most prominent among them—they should still make an effort to deepen their dialogue given the high stakes on the European level.

Full version of this publication at the PISM website