European Union Expansion and Foreign Policy Challenges in the 21st Century

European Union Expansion and Challenges in Foreign Policy in the 21st Century

By Ocean Marambanyika, University of Oslo, Norway.

The EU is expanding and this expansion is presenting challenges to its vision of a common and united foreign policy. Most nations from the former Soviet Union or the Eastern bloc are joining the EU. What are the challenges this presents to the EU`s foreign policy towards developing nations? It is vital to note that most nations in the eastern European region were part of the Soviet Union or the Former Yugoslavia. Most developing nations, and mostly from Africa, received a lot of support from the eastern bloc in their fight for independence. Today a significant number of those countries that helped developing nations to fight major western European colonial powers are now in the EU or on their way into the EU. The challenge for the EU is to find a common foreign policy towards the developing world. Some of the eastern European nations had close friendships to developing countries from other regions and today it's difficult for the EU to speak with one voice on some hot political issues from some developing nations with close ties to the eastern European countries.

Challenges in common Immigration Policy and Climate Change

Having a common immigration policy is also proving to be difficult for the EU due to the entrance of the Eastern European nations into the Union. For most immigrants it might be relatively easier to access western and southern Europe by entering through the eastern nations. Their visa regimes are not as tough as that from the rest of Europe. This is therefore a challenge which has a potential to grow. If the negative effects of climate change continue to grow then immigration will continue to be a problem for the EU. Negative climate change consequences can lead to increased droughts and food shortages in poorer nations, upsurge in conflicts as a result of fighting for resources and economic declines. These changes can create both pull and push factors on migration to the EU. The EU foreign policy considerations should thus take these aspects into considerations.

Competition amongst EU member states

Member states within the EU itself are competing for dominance and markets in developing regions. This competition has created serious differences or challenges to the EU common foreign policy. It is becoming difficult for major EU members to agree on common positions towards some countries in conflict or facing democracy problems. Countries like the United Kingdom and France have for instance been competing for influence in Africa. They are also facing competition from China for the slice of Africa. Thus the UK and France have been finding it challenging to agree on strategies of intervention in some African nations facing conflicts. The cases of Rwanda, Zimbabwe and some central African nations have been presenting difficulties for the EU block.

Way forward for the EU in the 21st Century

Tackling the challenges facing the developing world can be a major factor in lessening the EU`s challenges in foreign policy. The EU needs to be more pro-active in dealing with negative climate change issues. This might means technically and financially assisting developing countries in adopting sustainable agricultural practices. It means that developing nations should be helped, not with food aid, but with the capacities for sustainable food production. There is need to assist in strengthening early warning systems for detecting potential armed conflicts in developing regions. Detecting possibilities for armed conflict can make it possible to intervene and avert the outbreak of the conflict into a war. Such strategies will help in reducing conflict and environmental related migration to the EU. It is known that the EU is desperate to reduce or to stop migration into its borders.

Former eastern European countries are still struggling with democratizing their national spaces. Democracy is not all about holding elections. Aspects like fighting crime, trafficking and building transparency are things that are crucial in creating a democratically strong EU.

Member states need to have clearer guidelines on tackling competing interests between the Union and members themselves. A country like the UK has one leg in the EU and one leg outside. Such scenarios create difficulties for the EU. The Union should thus find ways that makes member states feel that the EU is not an organ that usurps national interests of individual states. The Union should strive to convince its members that it serves the interests of the members themselves. The EU will continue to face challenges. It is up to the organization to evolve and catch up with the changing times.

By Ocean Marambanyika

Historian and Expert on Peace and Conflict Studies

University of Oslo (graduate), Norway

oceaniamars@yahoo.no

European Union Expansion and Foreign Policy Challenges in the 21st Century

By: Marambanyika Ocean

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