The external relations policy of the Barroso Commission is based on propositions on the EU's role in the world. The EU is a global player; it pursues a specific foreign policy philosophy, which could be catagrosied as “effective multilateralism”; and, thanks to its specific nature, the EU uses a wide range of foreign policy instruments which are particularly suited to respond to today's challenges. In addition to bilateral relations with countries and regions in all continents, the EU also operates delegations in all corners of the world.
A network of 139 EU delegations and offices are the eyes, ears and mouthpiece of the European Union, therefore including the authorities and the population in their host countries. A range of EU policies are designed to support collaboration between the EU and its neighbours. Where necessary, initiatives also support development in neighbouring countries.
We will focus on the external relations between the EU and America and Russia.
Russia
Ever since the Soviet Union fell apart and nationalism re-emerged as a divisive as well as cohesive factor in Eastern Europe, with the possibility of a nationalist Russian political elite would being able to accept the independence of Belarus and Ukraine, and – to a lesser degree – of other former Soviet Republics. However The Russian Federation's role in the Ukraine conflict has seriously affected EU-Russia relations. Consequently, some of the activities outlined below are at a halt and sanctions have been adopted. Russia is the EU's biggest neighbour and its third biggest trading partner. Supplies of oil and gas make up a large proportion of the country's exports to Europe. The EU and Russia have a long record of cooperation on issues of bilateral and international concern including climate change, drug and human trafficking, the Middle East peace process, and Iran. In response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and continuing destabilisation of Ukraine - including aggression by Russian armed forces on Ukrainian soil - the EU has suspended talks on visas and a new EU-Russia agreement. Relations between Russia and some of its traditional European allies have soured and As a result, Moscow is attempting to forge new alliances in the region with smaller eastern and central European states, many of which have important trade ties with their more powerful neighbour. Now many face a tricky balancing act between their links to Russia and allegiance to Brussels
This Russia sees NATO as an alliance directed specifically against Moscow. It believes that key European countries have instrumentalised the EU for the same purpose, and it detects critical developments almost everywhere especially with deepening of relations with China. Putin has responded by putting forward policies based on a wider interpretation of Russian nationalism. He has set the project of a Eurasian Union against EU expansion. He has increased Russia’s attention to global powers and emerging players. He has placed renewed emphasis on military power and presence, and he has increased his involvement in global status politics. However the EU’s recognition and reputation as a leading international actor rests in large part on its ability to stabilise, pacify, and advance countries in the neighbourhood. Contrary to many, Europe’s future will not be defined in Ukraine. It will be defined within the European Union, if and when member states finally come to understand what lies ahead.
United States of America
The European Union and the United States of America established diplomatic relations as early as 1953. But it was only in November 1990 that the cooperation was formalised for the first time with the Transatlantic Declaration. Since December 1995, the New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) has provided the foundation for the relationship.
The ambitious agenda of cooperation between the EU and the US is taken forward via constant, intensive dialogue. This
