EU CONFLICT & PEACE

The Treaty of Lisbon states that "The Union's aim is to promote peace, its values and the well-being of its peoples" (Article 2).

Over the years, TFF Associates have published analyses of the Lisbon Treaty (EU constitution), its theory and peace concepts as well as (Western) value statements (in both the Nordic and English languages).

Further, the Foundation has published numerous articles on the role of the Union as a Union and how peace is being "implemented" in conflict areas where the Foundation is engaged - like former Yugoslavia, Georgia, Iraq, Libya, etc.






Bold step on Rue de la Roi - the Berlaymont Building in the background

TFF seeks to enhance the debate on the peace and security activities of the EU. There are a number of solid reasons to be critical of the self-praise that is regularly expounded by EU leaders with regards the Union's conflict-management and peace activities.

The same can be said about the taken-for-granted, non-research-based media stance that suggests it is the Union - more than, say, single states, statesmen and policy initiatives - that has brought about the present peaceful circumstances inside Europe as well as the reconciliation both between the historical enemies Germany and France and between Eastern and Western Europe, thereby ending the Cold War.

It is this type of reasoning that must have been behind awarding the EU the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 which, to put it diplomatically, represented a quite liberal interpretation of Alfred Nobel's crystal clear will.

What is evident is that the Union is far from its stated goal of speaking with one voice in security matters and foreign affairs. Its extremely traditional conceptualization of defence and security - rather than peace - and its ever closer co-operation with NATO - rather than the UN or OSCE - also give a reason for concern.

So do the intensifying arguments in favour of further militarization of the EU and the establishment of an "EU Army" whatever that may mean.



A European legacy of colonialism

When this entry was written in early 2012, it was pretty clear that the crisis within the EU was deep.

Between 2012 and 2017, the refugee crisis - which is essentially an EU management and political crisis - Brexit and the decline of the West, including the EU, as well as an increasing populism, xenophobia and racism have all served to aggravate the overall situation for the Union.

Serious voices have increasingly expressed doubts about the future of the Union project itself, its structure and role.

The Foundation will continue to monitor the peace- and security-related activities of the Union, inside amongst its members as well as in the wider world.




TFF Associates on EU affairs 2012-2017