CFSP Reform and Transatlantic Relations

Abstract

The diplomatic crisis over intervention in Iraq exposed once again the structural deficiencies of the European Union’s foreign policy. In the 1990s the Union’s member states had already proven themselves unable to cope effectively with major international crises. But their inability to take unified positions and actions during the Iraq crisis was also compounded by unprecedented tensions between a few of them, notably France and Germany, and the United States, something which cast a dark shadow over the future of the transatlantic security partnership. The Union’s disarray over the Iraq crisis took place at the very moment when it was engaged in a major effort to streamline and enhance its institutions and instruments for external action. This was indeed one of the main objectives of the European Convention which, after seventeen months of work, in July approved a new draft constitutional treaty for the EU. There was a widespread fear that the deep contrasts that emerged between various EU member states over the Iraqi crisis and the related transatlantic rift could have a damaging effect on the Convention or even derail it. For this reason the President of the Convention, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, wisely postponed the discussion on the articles of the draft constitutional treaty concerning the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) until after the conclusion of the military campaign in Iraq. In fact, the Convention eventually approved a set of reform measures which, if endorsed by the EU’s intergovernmental conference, which is due to start next October, would substantially change the Union’s modus operandi in the CFSP realm. Indeed, in the last few years, and especially after September 11, the number of European citizens who support the strengthening and expansion of the EU’s foreign and security policy has constantly grown. According to the most recent opinion polls, an overwhelming majority of Europeans are today in favor of a stronger CFSP. The leaders of the member states, including those that are less integrationist, have also shown a growing awareness of the need to equip the Union with more effective instruments for external projection. The Convention’s proposals to reform the CFSP reflect this change in attitude. However, whether they are strong enough to ensure the increased effectiveness and consistency of the Union as an international actor in general and in its relations with the U.S. in particular is a matter for discussion. This paper provides a brief analysis of the new provisions regarding the CFSP contained in the draft constitutional treaty approved by the