Wednesday, September 07, 2005
A political dwarf
The European Union is described as an economic giant - but a political dwarf. Why should this be? Half the G8 comes from the EU, ie the UK, Germany, Italy and France. Link.
But each nation still wants to go its own way. As a result, there is little wish to have an EU position at the G8, let alone the International Monetary Fund or the United Nations. Very ineffective!
A coordinated stance at international meetings would give the EU a great deal of political influence in global affairs; perhaps even a chance to lead. Changing sovereign minds is a priority for the presidency; presenting a coherent position at international organisations is surely one of the reasons the EU was formed. Will there be a joint position at the World Summit for UN reform later this month?
But each nation still wants to go its own way. As a result, there is little wish to have an EU position at the G8, let alone the International Monetary Fund or the United Nations. Very ineffective!
A coordinated stance at international meetings would give the EU a great deal of political influence in global affairs; perhaps even a chance to lead. Changing sovereign minds is a priority for the presidency; presenting a coherent position at international organisations is surely one of the reasons the EU was formed. Will there be a joint position at the World Summit for UN reform later this month?
# posted by IJ @ 12:54 PM 
