An issue often neglected in the debate on the EU is that of its future role in world politics and international relations in particular. The Union is the single largest trading bloc in the world; its influence in areas such as trade, finance, environment, endorsing democracy and human rights is significant.
The EU, however, is not really what it can be. If the Union leaders can unite around a common foreign policy (sure the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the CFSP, already exists, but it has a vague and altogether far to general design and is not institutionalized in a constitution), the combined powers of the Union Member States could be a source of immense power in world affairs. The goals and aims of the EU are, inter alia, advocating democracy, human rights, free trade, freedom of speech, religion, and, foremost, peace. It could surpass the UN in conflict resolution, peace enforcement and peace building, on account of its credibility and legitimacy.
While this is much endeavoured in the Union, it is still up to the Member States if they are to embrace the constitution; it would do much good for the unity of the EU should that happen.
The EU could indeed be a force for peace, prosperity and human development if it could agree on vital issues such as foreign policy, security, and defence. This, however, requires the surrender of national - sovereign - powers to a common foreign ministry. To exert power, the Union must speak with one voice, and its divisions and differences must not be able to be exploited by other states and actors.
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