In what ways do diplomacy and multilateralism, visible marks of the ever more important European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), represent the way toward global peace and security?

On April 24, 2009, EUUSA organized a very interesting lecture at Columbia University’s, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) on “The European Union, Crisis Management and Conflict Prevention” featuring Mr. Cesare Onestini, First Counsellor, Political Affairs, of the European Commission Delegation to the United Nations.  Mr Onestini offered insights into European Union’s structure as well as its tools for conflict resolution, advantages compared to traditional member states and international organizations, as well as limitations:

Complete information and video at:

                                             http://www.eutv.org

 The event was organized as part of the Nationalities Conference at SIPA in cooperation of The Eurasia Initiative of Columbia University’s and the USA/USA Program http://www.ukrainianscholarships.org) the Ukrainian Students’ Association in the United States which is part of the Aid Ukraine (USA), NGO that provides scholarships to talented young Ukrainians.  It drew a full room of academics, researchers and other professionals interested in security issues from the US and overseas.  Special thanks to Katya Peremanova, Interim Executive Director, USA/USA Program and to Oksana Shulyar, Co-President, Eurasia Initiative at Columbia University for the impeccable organization of the event.  Please refer to EUUSA’s site for a newsrelease.

There are multiple readings from the election results as expected; quite as many as the parties involved.  One can certainly note the increased popularity of the right and center wing parties and the respective fall in left wing policies.  It’s also interesting to note the increase in green, far right movements as well as certain dissenting voices such as the Free-web Pirate Party in Sweden that is against restrictions in downloading over the internet, that gained parliamentary representation.  Elsewhere eurosceptics scored a major win in Britain with a sizeable part of voters being negative to the EU or certain aspects of it.  National issues and the global economic crisis may have also played in the voters decision; in certain occasions elections were projected as a poll for national governments.  It’s noteworthy that an ex key staff member of the EU Commission the Argentine-born Spanish accountant Marta Andreasen also got a seat in the European Parliament, but on a eurosceptic ticket on the lists of the UK Independence Party (Ukip).  Ms Andreasen became well known after she refused to sign off the 2001 accounts, citing “serious and glaring” irregularities in the commission’s books. She was suspended only months later for “failure to show sufficient loyalty and respect,” underwent a disciplinary procedure and in the end was fired in 2005.  “Possibly no other case than mine has shown better how easily a bureaucracy – without any kind of external constitutional mechanism to correct or qualify its procedures – can become a tyranny,” she wrote in her recent book “Brussels laid bare.”

All these incidents along with record low participation may indicate, a resentment to EU detached bureaucratic decision-making structure and failure to engage citizens.  There’s no doubt that the results will be analyzed for some time to come and may affect future decisions with the Lisbon Treaty pending ratification.  Overall not a pleasant incident in European Union’s history however it might turn out a useful one if it sparks corrective action.  One has to consider after all that EU is a relatively young organization that is evolving. 

Related Articles: The European Elections: a big defeat for politics and politicians L’Occidentale, Free-web Pirate Party captures seat, Reuters, Eurosceptics score major win in Britain, euobserver, Europe’s Lesson, Associated Press, EU Election Results Site, Famous women conquer European Parliament, euobserver, June 10, 2009, Economy Shows Cracks in European Union, NY Times June 8, 2009

Earlier this year EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn indicated that the EU would look favorably upon a membership application and would be prepared to make it an EU member within record time, probably at the same time as Croatia in 2011. “The EU prefers two countries joining at the same time rather than individually. If Iceland applies shortly and the negotiations are rapid, Croatia and Iceland could join the EU in parallel,” said Mr Rehn, according to UK daily the Guardian. The encouraging words from the EU come as Iceland grapples with financial meltdown caused by the global economic crisis. After elections in Iceland in May 2009, Iceland’s new Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir said her government will seek a parliamentary vote on membership to the European Union. She said she is confident of a vote in favor despite some opposition. Iceland is traditionally negative to full EU membership.

EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS – Secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Friday said the Obama administration was committed to take EU-US co-operation to a new level, particularly in regards to climate change and the current economic crisis, which had to be dealt with together.

“We are committed to a cap-and-trade system, but also to a number of other things. We are making major investments now in our stimulus package in alternative energy, in basic science research, in new forms of fueling transportation, as well as upgrading our grid. The European Union is taking a similarly broad approach,” Ms Clinton told a press conference after meeting with EU representatives. EUobserver

During an emergency summit in Brussels, officials from EU governments discussed the unstable financial systems of several countries in Eastern Europe. The officials vowed to help the beleaguered nations battle the recession and financial crisis. The leaders committed to “getting the real economy back on track by making the maximum possible use of the single market, which is the engine for recovery.” Financial Times (02 Mar.)  Suggestions by Hungary and Poland that the EU reduce their waiting period to enter the eurozone received a chilly reception. Germany and the Netherlands rejected the idea, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy was a little more flexible but wanted to wait until the financial crisis subsides. Forbes (01 Mar.)

the Heads of State and Government from sixteen Asian countries, twenty-seven member states of the European Union, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of ASEAN decided for the first and time to endorse an unprecedented EurAsian cooperation in shoring up support in order to solve the current global financial crisis.

Since ASEAN represents 60 percent of Global Economy and population achievements of the meeting which ended a few days ago on October 24 are of great interest.

See also what’s being discusssed at:

http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/asem/index_en.htm

http://www.aseminfoboard.org/

http://www.cctv.com/english/special/ASEM/06/index.shtml

Our NGO http://www.euusa.org is interested to discuss further on that.