The EU as a Global Player — Seen from an Italian-German Angle
With a duration of three years and thanks to the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo (Turin) this project aims at demonstrating and deepening the convergence of interests of Italy and Germany on current issues of the foreign, security and defence policy of the EU.
Project: Institutional Trends in CFSP/ ESDP in the Wake of the EU’s Constitutional Crisis
Based on common analysis and regular expert meetings of academics and CFSP/ESDP practitioners it is also intended to develop joint policy proposals. Key areas to be covered are:
Trends in the institutional developments and decision-making procedures of CFSP and EDSP;
ESDP headline goals, capabilities and their implementation;
Civil and military crisis management operations;
Transatlantic relations;
Strategic partnerships and relations to third countries.
So far two workshops have been organised.
The first one which took place in Rome on 27/28 June 2006 on “The EU as a Global Player – Strengths and Weaknesses of the CFSP and ESDP as Seen from an Italian-German Angle” was the question of how to proceed with the CFSP institutions after the failure of the Constitutional Treaty. While Italian participants were in favour of implementing already now certain proposals like those aiming at a strengthening of the High Representative for the CFSP in order to compensate for the weaknesses of the rotating presidency the German side and in particular the government representatives warned against “cherry picking” and suggested to try and save the whole reform package.
Another key issue was the question of flexibility in the decision-making process in CFSP and ESDP in a Union of meanwhile 25 member states. The lively debate among the around 30 participants revealed differences in opinion when it comes to the issue of core groups/directoires – like the EU‑3 towards Iran – in which traditionally Germany takes part while Italy does not. Like other smaller EU partners the Rome government is particularly concerned when core issues of the CFSP are defined beforehand in such small circles leaving no room for a discussion on the substance in the group of the 25.
Despite such diverging positions on certain CFSP topics the meeting showed also a considerable reservoir of German-Italian commonalities on the EU’s international role and its future development. The change in government in Italy in 2006 and the distinct pro-European stance of the Prodi Government seems to foster this common ground in a more favourite political and atmospheric climate.
By: Dr. E. Regelsberger