The Diplomatic System

Abstract

If little is more useful than experience, Europe’s long familiarity with foreign affairs is an asset of considerable worth. Even the smallest of the EU’s fifteen countries conducts active foreign policies throughout the world. Its principal members have elaborate diplomatic dealings with nearly all of the 180 or so bodies recognized as states, as well as envoys accredited to the growing numbers of international organizations. Two countries (and if Russia is counted as European, then three) are permanent members of the UN Security Council. Like the other states charged by themselves at the close of the Second World War with ‘primary responsibility for international peace and security’ Britain and France possess nuclear arsenals. Germany has the world’s third largest economy, whose exports amount to nearly 10 per cent of the world total. Along with Italy, these four countries belong to the G7 group of leading economic powers. Taken together EU members account for a third of foreign trade and for about the same measure of world output. The governments and businesses of the EU invest and dispense aid wherever they can gain access. Although the population of the present EU is only 51/2 per cent of humanity, its citizens are to be found living and working in every part of the globe. If it is true that much of this activity is connected with individual states, in matters of trade the Commission of the EU conducts a common external policy on behalf of all its members.