Introduction

The European Union, collectively, identifies peacemaking as a key priority in its neighbourhood, presenting it as an ‘essential aspect of the EU’s external action’ (Commission 2004a: 3). It also views the promotion of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and regional cooperation as complementary and indeed necessary means to achieve peace in and beyond its borders (Commission 2003c; European Council 2003b). As stated in the draft EU Constitutional Treaty, these aims are considered as values underpinning the European project itself, as well as guiding principles of the Union’s actions abroad (Article III-193(1), Article I-2 and I-3). The underlying assumption is that by pursuing these normative ‘milieu goals’, the EU helps shape the external environment in a manner conducive to its strategic ‘possession’ goals (Wolfers 1962: 73-6).