The EU and its Strategic Partners

1
The EU and its Strategic Partners

• Dr Fraser Cameron
• Director, EU Russia Centre,
• Brussels

2
Who are They?

• The 2003 European Security Strategy designated
  five strategic partners
• Russia, China, Japan, India, Canada
• US not listed but obvious to everyone
• No definition of strategic or partner
• Little in common except size (population and
  territory)

3
EU Priorities and Interests

• Strengthening multilateral system, preventing
  protectionism, Doha deal
• Restoring close ties with US under Obama
• Neighbourhood Turkey, Croatia, Western Balkans,
  Russia, Ukraine, Caucasus, Middle East and North
  Africa
• China, India, Japan (Canada) strategic partners
• Switzerland, Norway, Central Asia

4
EU-Russia

• 1997 PCA negotiating new agreement but difficult
  to get EU common position
• Different views of Russia
• Different energy dependencies
• Gazprom gets 70 of its profits from EU
• Problems of common neighbourhood Georgian
  conflict a shock

5
EU-China

• Strategic partner and main trading partner
• In 2003 China praised EU as important counter to
  US hegemony
• But disappointment over failure to lift arms
  embargo, grant China market economy status,
  anti-dumping, Tibet, human rights
• Negotiations on new PCA proving difficult but
  China needs EU market

6
EU/Japan

• Rather neglected but important strategic partner
• Many shared interests and goals eg multilateral
  approach, soft power
• Close economic and trade relations
• But Japan disappointed (like India) at lack of EU
  support for UNSC seat

7
EU/India

• Rather neglected strategic partner
• Much in common - two multi-state, multi-ethnic
  and major democratic actors. Both committed to
  multilateral system, although disputes over UNSC
  and Doha.
• While EU pushes democracy/human rights agenda
  India does not.
• Growing economic partners but problems over an
  FTA and also nuclear deal

8
EU-Canada

• Ottawa suffers from me tooism
• Rather dull and boring relationship
• Canada sides with EU on most major issues,
  including strengthening global governance
• Minor disputes eg seal hunting

9
EU-US

• Great welcome for Obama after Bush years
• But Europe not high on Obamas agenda
• He knows little about EU (but his team do)
• Strong institutional structure
• Main issues will be Afghanistan (but Europe
  reluctant to do more), Iraq (EU not a player),
  Iran (EU supports US engagement), Israel
  (differences in emphasis),

10
EU-US (2)

• NATO enlargement on back burner
• Missile defence ditto (part of grand bargain
  with Russia?)
• China commercial rivals but both support
  involvement of China in global
• Climate Change change in US attitude but doubts
  about Congress
• Terrorism how much has changed?

11
The US Role

• Dominant global power but losing influence due to
  Bush foreign policy. Obama team will review all
  policy areas. Clintons first visit to Asia
  revealed pragmatic approach.
• Russia time to press the reset button Biden.
  Emphasis on arms control agenda (over heads of
  Europe).
• China Strategic partner or rival? Growing
  economic interdependence recognised by both
  sides
• Japan staunch ally
• India nuclear deal increased US influence but
  Obama focus is on Afghanistan
• Central Asia important for supply routes to
  Afghanistan, balance between Russia/China, energy

12
EU-East Asia Policy Guidelines

• Council paper (Dec 2007) focused on economic
  interests plus North Korea, Taiwan, competitive
  nationalism.
• EU should promote regional cooperation, CBMs,
  dialogue on global issues and promote democracy,
  human rights
• Consult with US, especially on China

13
Conclusion

• Not all strategic partners are equal in EU eyes
• More visits to China than India, Canada and Japan
  combined
• More summits with Russia than anyone else
• Canada the poor child
• EU-US most important relationship but still a
  number of areas of disagreement