ABSTRACT
The EU as a deaf global power? In the past few years the global role of the EU has been widely recognized by a growing body of academic literature (Bretherton and Vogler 2006; McCormick 2008; Hill and Smith 2005). The international ambitions of the EU have been sealed by the establishment of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) in 1992, the first out-of-area mission of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) in 2003, and the significant growth of the various ramifications of the external policies carried out by the European Commission. The EU has furthermore asserted itself as the largest trade actor in the world, with significant leverage at various international forums such as the World Trade Organization. The EU’s financial and economic policies reach governments, private corporations and non-governmental organizations across the globe. Finally, the EU is the largest donor of development aid, with offices and delegations in more than 120 countries. At the educational level, the European Commission has been subsidizing research units on European Studies in various countries around the world. In the global arena the EU has also been leading a number of processes at the multilateral level, thereby increasing its power and influence. In short, what is decided at the EU does not only impact the European polity, but also has direct consequences on many countries around the world. With increasing power comes increasing responsibility. In international diplomacy and foreign policy, mutual understanding is important if common objectives are to be achieved. For instance, the stalemate at the Doha Round has proven that a number of countries previously sidelined in international politics is increasingly demanding to be given a voice. The reform processes at the UN and at the international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have also demonstrated that the traditional global governance set-up has been largely discredited. The growth of regional powers, such as China and India, as well as the creation of parallel institutions, such as the G20, are just a few examples of a growing trend. Against this backdrop it becomes evident that the way in which the EU is perceived by other countries is likely to have a direct bearing on its success as a player in the international arena. What the world thinks of the EU is therefore an important factor in facilitating or opposing the achievements of EU-sponsored policies. Comprehending the perceptions of the EU can help gauge the extent to which the Union is seen as a credible and consistent actor in global politics. Furthermore, they can also help assess the extent to which the European ‘soft power’ is still a reality in the eyes of citizens around the world. Moreover, external images might tell us something of the degree of the EU’s effective communication skills, which, according to the Middle Eastern diplomat mentioned in the incipit, is not high. In a way perceptions can be seen as ‘early warning systems’ for an actor such as the EU, which is still in the process of establishing itself as a credible international focal point.
