The present state of the European Union and its influence

The role of the European 8nion as the model of prosperity and societal stability as well as being the promoter of the continent’s security and uni¿cation processes is central. However, the global ¿nancial crisis has turned into a protracted European recession. The economic crisis saps the 8nion’s cohesion and weakens its credibility as a leading actor.

The politically painful austerity measures have also encountered resistance and inÀuenced public opinion. The essence of the 8nion as a historical uni¿cation, peace and stability process in Europe has become blurred in the eyes of many citizens. The economic crisis has created unnecessary political division within the E8.

Economic growth, competitiveness, employment, a robust public economy and social wellbeing establish the foundation for the abovementioned issues. They are increasingly important security policy questions, de¿ning the international capacity and the standing of the Member States and the 8nion.

Through the Lisbon Treaty progress has been made on the common security and defence policy. E8 crisis management operations have a central role. In addition, political commitment to the development of capability cooperation has increased. 1evertheless, the 8nion is not developing any features leading towards a collective defence. The solidarity clause and the mutual assistance clause included in the Treaty of Lisbon strengthen the character of the 8nion as a security community. While there has been some discussion regarding the implementation of the solidarity clause, the Member States have not discussed the manner in which the mutual assistance obligation would be implemented.

Regarding this, the international obligations on the nonforti¿cation and neutralisation of the Åland Islands are also taken into account in Finland.

The eastern and southern neighbourhood is the focal area of the 8nion’s external relations where the E8 widely applies its political, economic and development policy instruments. The European 1eighbourhood Policy also strengthens Europe’s security. This involves regions possessing global strategic importance such as the Middle East and 1orthern Africa. The European 8nion and the countries on the southern rim of the Mediterranean as well as Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus have wideranging partnerships.

Even though the transition in the countries of the southern rim of the Mediterranean spawned from internal factors, rather than at the behest of the E8, the values represented by the 8nion have been at the heart of the evolution. The 8nion continues to play a central role in supporting the region’s societies as they develop their economic, social and political structures.

The E8’s southern neighbours are in a period of profound transition, which may entail longlasting effects. The democracy movements in 1orthern Africa and the Middle East may cause a long period of uncertainty and instability. The democratisation processes vary from country to country and concurrently the power relations in the region are undergoing a massive transformation. The relative weakening of the inÀuence of the 8nited States in the area has already resulted in increasing rivalry between the states in the region.

The forms and results of the democratisation process spawned by the Arab Spring vary. The role of political Islam is on the rise, exposing its many facets.

The rivalry between moderates and radicals may intensify and could result in a reversion of civil liberties and women’s rights.

The stalled peace process between Israel and the Palestinians diminishes the prospects of implementing the twostate model, increasing the possibilities of renewed armed conÀict. The recent changes in the Arab World introduce additional tension to ArabIsraeli relations. The conÀict in Syria and the questions related to Iran’s nuclear programme increase the volatility of the region. Active involvement is expected of the E8 in preventing the escalation of the conÀicts and in resolving them.

In addition to the onward march of democracy the E8’s key strategic interests served by an effective southern neighbourhood policy include energy security, controlled immigration, the development of economic cooperation and the freedom of trade routes. The operations of the European border management agency FR21TE; on the external borders of the E8 and in third countries do not only support the 8nion’s border control, they also bolster third countries’

border management structures and national capacities, and the materialisation of human rights and the rule of law.

Permanent goals of the Eastern Partnership, implemented within the framework of the European 1eighbourhood Policy, include the consolidation of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as well as economic growth and wellbeing.

The intensity of the E8’s relations with the countries of Eastern Europe, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia varies. 2f the partner countries, Moldova, Georgia and 8kraine have made the most progress in coming closer to the European 8nion. The 8nion’s strategic goal is to not only strengthen security and stability in wider Europe but beyond its immediate neighbourhood as well.

The E8Russian relationship is important to both parties. 8kraine is presently seeking a course at the crossroads between the E8’s and Russia’s economic and political sphere of inÀuence. 8kraine can play an important role in the entire domain of the 2SCE, provided it manages to stabilise its political system on the foundation of democracy and the rule of law. Recently this progress has been somewhat erratic.

The E8 strives for the democratisation of the political system of Belarus through the combination of dialogue, support for the civil society and sanctions. It is important to make Belarus conform to European standards, to which it has already committed in the 2SCE.

Regional conÀicts hold back political stability and democracy in the Southern Caucasus. This instability also has a spillover effect in Russia’s 1orthern Caucasus.

Conclusion

Finland has consistently supported European integration and the establishment of an extensive security community in Europe. It is important for Finland that the 8nion retain its status in preserving stability in Europe and its signi¿cance as a security community. The development of the common security and defence policy supports the aforementioned goal. E8 enlargement and the European 1eighbourhood Policy are also key factors in this development.