The European Union’s Brand of Peacebuilding by Birgit Poopuu

Author:Birgit Poopuu
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030198909
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

This exchange succinctly captures the prevalent tactic of the EU, i.e. to skirt around the “citizens of BiH”. Indeed, neither the audience nor the journalist ever learn what the EUFOR offers to the locals.

Significant Others

In contrast to “multiple others”, when it comes to the pronounced significant others, partnership “implies mutual respect, fair burden-sharing, common analysis and definition of measures” (Solana 2004k, September 10). This is how the EU-US relations are presented, and their main objective seems to be the argument for a multilateral order where the EU’s voice could also be heard. Solana reasons: “if we act together, the US will take heed and listen” (ibid.). In this sense, the multilateral order is advocated by the EU in three different ways: to begin with, it is promoted to carve out a(n equal) role for itself on the international arena; subsequently, it is to contain possible unilateralists; and, last but not least—and connected closely to the first—multilateral order, inclusive of key partners, is defined and offered as the single right modus operandi for the enterprise of peacebuilding.

In creating a place for the EU in the governance of international affairs, Solana propounds that “though the US is today’s dominant military actor, it cannot tackle today’s complex and multi-dimensional problems on its own” (2004c, February 25). In a similar manner, the member states are tied to the Union. Solana is vocal in convincing the member states of the importance of common action: “It is our task for us to get our act together” (2004k, September 10), for “threats are never more dangerous than when we are divided” (2004c, February 25). Interestingly, responsibility is used to underline both who the significant partners are and why it is imperative for the EU to become a global actor:Responsibility refers to the European willingness to provide security in proportion to our position in the world. … . Due to our size and interests, our history and values, we are also ready to share the burden of global threats with other major players on the international scene. (Solana 2004a, February 17; cf. Solana 2004j, July 27)

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