ABSTRACT
This book began by situating our empirical and theoretical claims in the context of the already existing literature on the European Union (EU) as a growing presence in world affairs, and by stating what we believe are some of the most pertinent questions facing the EU in this regard. Two assumptions were sketched out with the purpose of focusing our discussion on the Union’s nascent capacity to engage in strategic reasoning and action. The first assumption recognizes that some of the current policies and actions of the Union have important “strategic qualities,” especially with respect to neighbouring countries and regions to its east and south. These strategic qualities include policies and institutions with a long-term perspective as well as policies that have alleviated threats and vulnerabilities resulting in the solution of conflicts on the periphery of the Union. The second assumption moves us beyond the view that legal and political constraints render it impossible for the EU to assume a significant role in the area of security and defence matters. We note that external and internal developments are already blurring the lines between this area – where the veto rights of member states previously were intact – and other realms of Union policymaking. Mindful of the remaining limitations to the EU’s institutional design, we then set out to consider its actual and potential capacities as a “strategic actor” in regional and world affairs.
