ABSTRACT
Promotion of regional integration has been considered as an EU external policy in its relations with different countries and regions in other parts of the world. However, some of the EU Member States are also engaged in similar activities themselves. In the case of the EAC, Germany seems to be the most active EU Member State to support its regional integration. This chapter aims to explain the reason why some of the EU Member States (specifically Germany) promote regional integration bilaterally, despite the existence of similar policy at the EU level. The chapter argues that the EU Member States might not be satisfied with the common development policy at the EU level and, as such, they also adopt their own bilateral policies to support integration, especially when they are interested in a specific region. The chapter uses foreign policy approaches based on power, interests and norms/identity to show why Germany became active in supporting the integration process in the EAC. Germany, as one of the powerful countries in the EU, seems to be interested in the security of the EAC region given the fact that most of its lost former colonies (Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) are concentrated in that regional bloc. Furthermore, Germany seems to have economic interests in the EAC region, especially as a single market which could be beneficial for German businesses. Last but not least, Germany seems to internalise the EU norm of supporting integration in its foreign policy goals, thus making that part and parcel of the country’s identity in its relationship with the EAC.
