Since its creation in the 1950s, the Union has established a network of relations with the rest of the world, thanks to a common commercial policy, the development of assistance to developing countries, and cooperation with countries, individually or in regional groups, including programs of financial support.
In the 1970s the EU began to supply humanitarian aid to countries whose people were suffering great hardship.
As a response to the challenge of establishing stability and security in the world, and to extend a climate of peace beyond its own borders, the Union indlcuded in the 1993 Maastricht Treaty, a « common external and security policy » (CESP) which permitted the EU to engage in joint action in situations where the interests of the EU in its entirety came into play.
Following the conflicts in the Balkans and Africa in the 1990s, the interest area of « defence » has become an aspect of growing importance within the CESP. With the the Amsterdam Treaty, a veritable European security and defence policy (ESDP) was elaborated within the general framework of the CESP. The ESDP now permits the sending of military or police forces into crisis zones to carry out humanitarian operations, to maintain peace, and to reconcile parties which are in conflict.
The EU cooperates closely with other countries and international organisations in the fight against international crime, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and in addition, to confront – in a world which is becoming increasingly interdependent – global issues such as the environment and energy resources.
The EU defends its economic and commercial interests in the international arena, and more specifically in the negotiations that take place within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), or in the case of bilateral trade agreements with individual countries or regional groups.
The numerous agreements which the EU has concluded with its partners are not limited to commerce and financial or technical assistance, but also economic reforms. The EU has also provided support for infrastructure, health and education. The agreements, thus, represent a framework for political dialogue.
Despite these developments, the EU has not always had a common external policy and does not always express itself with a single voice on the international stage, a factor which weakens its position in the world.
Home AEDE.
4.1.1. How have EU external policies evolved?
see Chapter 7, question 7.1.13.
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