Is an EU common foreign policy possible?

Primary tabs

Yes, because most EU member states share the same values about world justice.
6% (3 votes)
Yes, because member states share an interest in an increasingly integrated European economy.
56% (29 votes)
No, because member states have different national economic and political interests.
37% (19 votes)
No, because national government leaders have different electoral interests.
2% (1 vote)
Total votes: 52

Comments

- 6 December, 2018 - 20:21
The EU is one of the most important political players in the world, that’s why it’s significant to build common foreign policy between all its members. This is the way of cooperation and common existence of all EU countries. It develops the common market and makes the EU borders stronger.
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- 6 December, 2018 - 22:11
In my humble opinion, EU common foreign policy is possible. The European Union is a major player on the world stage with regional and global security interests and responsibilities. Through its common foreign policy, the EU speaks with one voice on key international issues. As for me, one of the most important reasons is the Member States' interest in economic development. That's why I believe in this possibility.
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- 6 December, 2018 - 23:02
From my standpoint EU common foreign policy is possible. It was established in 1993 an is one of the main pillars of EU. Countries have different interests and foreign policy, but to live with each other they need to coordinate their foreign policy and make one common position. In those video we could see that countries have differently treated the conflict in Saudi Arabia and even gives some tanks or kind of weapon. But I think that they don`t realize all of the results of this action. Leaders appeal to each other to find one common way of behaviour, made common actions and decisions. It must definitely be done.
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- 7 December, 2018 - 10:41
In the year of 1993 the Maastricht Treaty came into force alongside with the common foreign policy for the EU. Since then, every member state should adapt their national foreign policies after gaining EU membership. Although they are to come to common conclusion, their negotiations pretty often have a dead end. The vectors of the external policy of EU members differ due to the geographical position, historical past, economic situation, provision of resources, mentality and the level of conservatism. Foreign policy is all about protecting national interest, promoting values and creating of a convincing image. I agree that the EU has made a great forum for informational exchange, but pretty often the country's own interests can't be shared on the European level. Is is so especially when it cncerns the dependancy on the US presence in any issue or the steps against Russia.To crown it all, I agree that the common policy exists, however it is not at the appropriate level because of the different national economic and political interests of member states.
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- 7 December, 2018 - 11:47
I think in near future we have an opportunity to notice how European Union transform to something new, i thing in near future we will see the kind of union where all states act as a single organism. I believe that such steps as citizenship of the European Union or EU court are aimed at destroying the borders between nation for the EU's main goal - free movement of people, goods, services and capitals. In my opinion, in future will create mixed European society with a common European law, and with common European rights and without any national border. And I think common foreign policy will be a result of this transformation which help Europe to become a big nation and maybe the biggest power in world.
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- 9 December, 2018 - 10:53
In my opinion all the members of the EU support an increasingly integrated European economy. It'll increase the level of protection for the members of the EU (for example markets of goods and capitals). The policy of the EU opposes the policy of the US lately. It’s manifested in different views on solving problems and using different tools for their solving.
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- 13 December, 2018 - 20:38
As already noted, the deepening of integration in both economic and political spheres led to the formulation and implementation of the concept of the European Union as a structure based on three pillars. The second of these pillars is a common foreign and security policy. The close cooperation of the governments of the member states in the field of foreign policy is, in fact, a step towards its "solidarity". This process is intended to affirm the perception of the European Union as a subject, which is counted in international relations and world politics, which is very important. The common foreign and security policy is one of the most difficult to reconcile with external relations since it deals with an extremely important and at the same time the delicate question of the sovereignty of states. So, I would rather tend to think that the EU common foreign policy is possible, but almost unreal to settle because member states have different national economic and political interests.
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- 20 December, 2018 - 14:43
From my perspective, the third answer is a viable one. Whyle EU foreign policy is theoretically based on the sovereign equality of all twenty-eight members, size matters in the real world. The informal leadership from the bigger member states plays a much greater role than the formal leadership from the institutions. Together, those member states possess the greater part of the EU s overall diplomatic, military and intelligence resources; maintain extensive networks around the world and are present in the exclusive global clubs.
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- 8 January, 2019 - 20:57
I think that an EU common foreign policy is not possible and the reason is because member states have different political interests. The first two answers are more ideal, but we don't live in an ideal world. The first answer can be true. Yes, most EU member states share the same values about world justice, but not the same economic and political interests. Also is true that member states share an interest in an increasingly integrated European economy, but also have a national economic interest that is different for every country. The EU is a collective enterprise in which the member states share common interests and goals that would not be able to attain on their own. Because the EU have policy deficits cannot offer a satisfactory treatment for member state interests. Although it seems to contradict the collective nature of the EU, member states have particular needs, different interests.
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- 11 January, 2019 - 15:55
Taking into account the diversity of EU, the complexity of its structure and regulations and, of course, the sovereignty of member states, Foreign Policy (FP) seems like a utopia to some extent. Alongside, EU has strategic partnerships in different spheres with multiple stakeholders that forces EU to invest in its Foreign Policy. The question here is how far reaching this policy could be. In other words, how to use it to strengthen EU itself, as I personally believe that FP is a tool to ensure domestic prosperity. In my opinion, the FP of EU is quite different from the state FP, which brings new responsibilities and challenges along with new opportunities. EU should be presented on world geopolitical arena as strong and independent unit as the relations on it becomes more complex and unpredictable and it makes EU have its own line. The need for unity in common action is growing, especially in terms of common security and stability of the region. Some experts tend to believe that such FP for EU is irrelevant as most of the EU members are NATO members. Personally, from a long-term perspective, I envision EU development as the one who is sitting at the table with the rest leading world powers.
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