EU as a united foreign policy

dufflepop

Can the EU function with a united Foreign Policy with regard to the current problems Ukraine?

McDave

Don't think so.

Common foreign policies will evolve over time among subsets of members. But on Ukraine, there's not enough strategic common ground. Germany, France and Poland coordinated in the beginning. But Germany is concerned to protect trade, Poland is more concerned about security and a special relationship with (western) Ukraine, and it's hard to tell what France thinks or wants.

What's the best outcome for Ukraine? I'm not even sure Ukrainians know. So it indeed is hard for the EU to have a consistent analysis, let alone act on it.

comongethappy

In the broadest sense the EU is of one mind, however different agendas lead to different responses.

Manach

No - because apart from trade issues various countries have difference stances on overseas policy. From the France humanitarian armed intervention in CAR to the Scandanivan liberal/self-satisying aid programs.

DubVelo

France has an additional conflict of interest what with the $2 billion worth of aircraft carriers it's building for the Russians down in St. Nazaire. Not to mention the gas etc.
France think they should be seen to toe the EU line but really wants the whole thing to just quiet down soon, please.

comongethappy

DubVelo wrote: »

France has an additional conflict of interest what with the $2 billion worth of aircraft carriers it's building for the Russians down in St. Nazaire. Not to mention the gas etc.
France think they should be seen to toe the EU line but really wants the whole thing to just quiet down soon, please.

Absolutely.

France's desire to see those 2 helicopter carriers complete was the very reason it blocked an EU arms embargo against Russia.

The €1.37 billion price tag for the 2 ships was enough buy French silence on Ukraine.

(And its remarkable that NATO is happy for France to sell Russia all that sensory & telecoms kit that comes with the ships)

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistral-class_amphibious_assault_ship

shanered

Never knew about france building those aircraft carriers, interesting factor to the whole equation alright.