"The EU as a Global Player: Benefactor, Colonialist or Stabilizer?"
The seminar in Brussels on February 8th was arranged by the Swedish Foundation for Small Business Research (FSF), the Swedish Agency for Econimic and Regional Growth (NUTEK) and the Swedish Institute for Growth Policy Studies (ITPS) in co-operation with the Swedish Networks for European Studies.
Background: At this seminar researchers from the Swedish Network for European Studies in economics, law and political science, participated in a high quality seminar regarding the topic The EU as a Global Player: Benefactor, Colonialist or Stabilizer. The seminar is based upon the tenth volume of ‘Europaperspektiv’. Below you find an overview of the speakers presentations based on their respective chapter in the book "The EU as a Global Player" Europaperspektiv 2007. The book is in Swedish but you can download a summary of the book by following the link below.
From left: Peter Kleen, Åsa Vifell and Anders Olofsgård at the seminar.
Peter Kleen , trade policy consultant, pointed out the dualism of the EU's trade policies, illustraded by the case of the clothing industry. The EU is open for free trade but at the same time reserve the rigth to protect itself and impose a number of protective trade policy measures. He argues that trade tarifs aren't that important anymore, they are rather used as a baragaining tool in negotiations. The EU uses other measures to protect itself. This dualism in trade policies is something that Kleen foresees will not change in the near future, the number of protective measures might even increase
Åsa Vifell , Phd researcher from Stockholm university, talked about how the processes of international negotiations and decisionmaking has caused the development of a new type of bureaucratic organization, which she refers to as enclaves. These enclaves are small tightly-knitted groups of civil servants from different countries who work together to formulate the EU's position on various issues. Although these "enclaves" create spaces for communication and increase the efficiency, she points out that their work might come to undermine the democratic legitimacy of the EU since they are closed groups and do not fall under ther traditional national control and supervision.
Lennart Petersson , Professor at Lund University, has analyzed the effects of the union's economic development policy in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Cotonou agreement from 2000 states that the countries in the region should gain free access to the EU's internal market. Petersson argues that the agreement has had little positive effect on the economic development, with the exception of South Africa, and argue for the implementation of a more long-term strategy with focus on promoting a divesification of African exports.
Ari Kokko , Professor at Stockholm School of Economics has studied the case of Vietnam, which is a positive example of economic development compared to Africa. They have experienced a rapid economic development over the past 20 years. Kokko describes the EU's foreign aid policy in Vietnam as rather successful, much due to the fact that the EU has not acted as one. Different EU countries has largely acted individually and therefor increased the collective contact base within the Vietnamese society. But Kokko also points out that the generousity towards development countries can change when the production of these countries threaten the EU's own production. He illustrates this with the example of antidumping tarifs to press back the imports of Vietnamese products.
Anders Olofsgård , Professor at Georgetown university, adressed the issue of EU's position on separatist movements around the world. Wether the EU should support regions demands for natinonal independence. With the example of former Yugoslavia he argues that the formation of new states will not necessarily reduce the risk of military conflicts. Olofsgårds conclusion is that the EU should take on a restrictive position in the matter of separatist movements and demands. This regardless of whether the EU seek to act in the best interest of the people in the regions or to act to preserve the EU's own interests.
Jan Joel Andersson from the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, talked about the process of strenghtening the EU's military capacity. The establishment of a military power may harm the EU's traditionally successful use of civil means to resolve conflicts. The use of hard power may be harmful to this position. At the same time he argues that the established millitary capacity of the EU may be insufficient to meet the expectation placed upon it. This leading to a situation which Andersson refers to as - all bark and no bite.
Jonas Ebbesson , Professor at Stockholm university, adressed the issue of the EU's environmental policy. Sometimes criticised for insufficient actions in the area Ebbesson argues that the EU has been an important part in many of the international agreements. Without the EU international cooperation on environmental issues would be more fragile. The negotiations on climate change are the most pronounced examples of this, he argues, but not saying that the EU has done enough.
Commenting on the seminar was Gunnar Hökmark, MEP, Vice-President of the EPP-ED Group and leader of the Moderate delegation and Ricklef Beutin , Bureau of European Policy Advisers, the European Comission.
Presentations for download:
”Trade Policy in the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Sector – The Janus Face of the EU”
Peter Kleen, Trade policy consultant >>> Presentation (.ppt)
”Enclaves as solution and problem in trade policy”
Åsa Vifell, Ph D Researcher, Stockholm University >>> Presentation (.ppt)
”The European Union and Africa at the Crossroads”
Lennart Petersson, Professor, Lund University >>> Presentation (.ppt)
”The European Union as a Global Actor: Effects on Vietnam”
Ari Kokko, Professor, Stockholm School of Economics >>> Presentation (.ppt)
”The Break-up of Countries: EU and Regional Separatism Around the World”
Anders Olofsgård, Professor, Georgetown University >>> Presentation (.ppt)
”All Bark and No Bite”
Jan Joel Andersson, Programme Director, The Swedish Institute of International Affairs >>> Presentation (.ppt)
”Poorer International Environmental Cooperation without the EU”
Jonas Ebbesson, Professor, Stockholm University >>> Presentation (.pdf)
