ABSTRACT
The EU is an organization whose governance structure is characterized by multilateralism. This reflects not only its inner European multilateral process, but also its external orientation. Internally, the EU is confronted with a consensusbuilding exercise among twenty-seven member states, which involves delicate tasks of coordination and cooperation. Externally, as expressed in the European Security Strategy (ESS), the aim is to build and strengthen an international order that is based on effective multilateralism (European Council 2003: 9-10). The latter are not necessarily new aims, and can be dated back to Duchêne’s (1973) concept of a civilian power in which multilateralism and dialogue were prominent features. These aims also concur with EU experiences gained over many years in multilateral trade negotiations and in aid and development cooperation.
