Samenvatting

The present document concludes my time as a European Studies bachelor degree student within The Hague University of Applied Sciences and it aims at discovering the possible repercussions of the economic crisis on the cooperation within the European Foreign Policy realm. It is intended to observe how the European Union is managing the implications of the most severe crisis in the post-war era by further struggling to assert its role on the international scene.

The topic proves to be a very complex one due to the fact that it is a current issue which is taking place as we speak. Therefore, the paper has been divided into three major parts: (1) the literature review, (2) the research findings and (3) the discussions & conclusions. Part one establishes the theoretical framework of this document by reviewing the Common Foreign and Security Policy, thus leading to the definition of the European Foreign Policy (EFP) and further discussing the theories of European integration and identity that are crucial for the subsequent understanding of the subject. In addition, by providing the reader with the concept of the EU as an actor/single entity on the international plane it is desired to emphasise the fact that, despite the rather odd organization of the ‘new political animal’, the EU had managed to overcome the majority of the impediments and managed to become not only a remarkable actor, but one that has succeeded to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Moreover, it was decided that the idea of a European Foreign Policy ought to be included given the complexity of the field discussed. Through the EFP notion it is sought to reiterate the continuous struggle of forming a single external policy and how this particular effort is bringing Member States together in fighting for the Europeanization of the EU’s foreign policy.

The major findings indicate the fact that, momentarily, the EU’s status quo is defined by an acute economic crisis which imperils the relations between Member States and, due to severe austerity measures, trends of nationalistic feelings, euro-scepticism and social movements followed by riots are intensifying across the old continent. As a consequence, MS are becoming reluctant to continue the battle for sustaining the EU and further developing a European Foreign Policy. However, even though Europe is traversing tumultuous times, with national divisions and civil disobedience, it finds the necessary power to assert its role as an international actor in world affairs. Overall, the EU ‘actor’ is maintaining itself as one of the important players in a multipolar world and, in order to further preserve its geo-political importance, it had enlarged to 28 MS, the last one being Croatia. It has been concluded that the European Foreign Policy is facing defining times for its future. The EU must find innovative solutions to its problems, but despite the highs and lows of the process, the unique European political organization appears to still be pleading for its values and for maintaining its role in International Relations.