EU Integration and Multipolarization

After half a century of hard work and continuous summarization from both theoretical and practical levels, coupled with the EU’s integration in Europe Accelerating internal and external integration, the EU has finally become a federation of sovereign states that has undergone major changes in appearance. It proposes the "European concept" of global governance based on its successful experience, and wants to play a "first-class role", "stabilizer" and "directional beacon" in international relations. There is a "big collision" between the "European ideal" and the unilateralism of the United States, resulting in differences in six aspects including philosophy, international law, diplomatic reform, and economy and trade. This should be assessed realistically. A large number of facts prove that the EU plays a unique and balancing role in international relations, indicating that integration and multipolarization processes go hand in hand. After half a century of internal and external integration, the EU has accumulated a lot of experience in the form of integration, and through a set of strategic concepts and actions, it is playing an increasingly important and unique role on the international stage, objectively and powerfully. Promote the development process of multipolarity. 1. Accelerating the integration of the European Union (1) The European Union was formed after the end of the Second World War. In order to eliminate the threat of war and achieve mutual integration, Western European countries continued to summarize successful experiences from the theoretical and practical levels after half a century of hard work. and lessons from mistakes, and gradually developed and strengthened a coalition of sovereign states. In recent years, the EU has accelerated the pace of integration and unity, which is expected to bring about more significant changes in the face of Europe. First, it will be a Europe that is vast, populous, wealthy and developed, with EU values ??expanding into all-European values. After four enlargements in history, the EU now has 15 countries with a population of 375 million and a GDP of US$7.88 trillion, accounting for almost 25.4% of the world's GDP. The EU's fifth enlargement has entered the fast track, and 10 countries from Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean will join the EU. As these countries integrate with the EU, the population will exceed 500 million and the GDP will reach 8 trillion US dollars. EUization will evolve into "Europeanization", based on EU game rules, covering most of Europe. The "Greater Europe" has begun to take shape in front of the world. Secondly, it is a Europe that achieves monetary and economic integration. European unity first takes economic regional cooperation as the leader, and is established through mutual cooperation between countries, from the coal and steel joint venture, the customs union to the common agricultural policy, from the European monetary system to the unified market and the single currency "Euro". Economic security is one body. The birth and circulation of the euro have greatly promoted the EU's integration process in politics, economy, diplomacy and social life, and enhanced the EU's strength and status. The EU's economic strength is close to that of the United States, the number one power. Taking 2001 as an example, the economic growth rates of Europe and the United States were 1.7% and 1.2% respectively. The EU surpassed the United States for the first time in 10 years; the EU's GDP was 78,800 10.14 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for nearly 25.4% of the world's GDP. The United States has 10.14 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 32.7% of the world's GDP. The unemployment rates in Europe and the United States are 7.6% and 5.8% respectively, and the inflation rate 1.8% and 1.2%; the total foreign trade volume of Europe and the United States is equivalent, US$1,786.5 billion and US$1,911.4 billion respectively; the EU's foreign investment is US$360.5 billion, and the US is US$127.8 billion; the EU attracts US$322.7 billion, and the US is US$130.8 billion; In 2000, euro-denominated bond issuance accounted for more than one-third of international bond issuance, exceeding the US dollar; its proportion in international trade settlement increased from 18% three years ago to 24%; its proportion in international foreign exchange reserves was Increased from 12% 2 years ago to 16%. Third, a Europe that is moving towards political unity and "speaking with one voice". Political union can be described as the third stage of the rocket of European integration, that is, the final stage of customs union and economic union. It is a great dream that Europeans dream of. "In order to effectively defend the future multipolar world, the EU should therefore become a general political alliance in addition to traditional economic, monetary and social policies, and compulsorily formulate the EU's most common foreign policy, security and defense policy." .

[1] In order to change the EU's image of "economic giant, political dwarf", the EU signed the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1997 and decided to implement a common foreign and security policy. In May 1999, the "Ayo" officially came into effect, and Solana Since then, the world has increasingly heard the EU "speak with one voice", and the EU's influence in international politics has been expanding day by day. Fourth, a Europe that gradually realizes independent joint defense and security. In June 1999, the Cologne Summit adopted the "Statement on Strengthening European Union Security and Defense" and decided to merge the Western European Union into the EU. Subsequently, the Helsinki Summit decided that the EU would build a rapid reaction force of 50,000 to 60,000 people by 2003. At present, the merger with the Western European Union has been completed, and the Political and Security Committee, Military Committee and Military Staff have been established and officially operational. European public recognition of independent defense continues to grow. According to a poll published by the French Defense magazine after 9/11, 71% of Europeans support Europe using its own defense forces without assistance from the United States; 84% believe it is necessary to establish The European Union's common defense policy increased by 3 percentage points compared with 2000, including Germany (13) and the United Kingdom (10). [2] (2) The "full confidence" provided by EU integration has enhanced the EU's ambition. The EU must govern the world with "European ideas". The EU has combined its experience of growth and development over half a century to explore its experience and policies in dealing with international issues, forming a relatively complete set of "European ideas" for global governance. The main contents are: 1. Implement comprehensive, comprehensive and multi-angle governance of problems arising from the process of globalization, respond to non-security factors through effective international legal means in the multilateral system, emphasize international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, and cooperate with various regions, organizations and continents Establish a dialogue and cooperation mechanism between them; 2. Establish an international political, economic and security pattern in a "democratic" and multilateral way of thinking. Multilateralism should be an important goal of international politics, recognize the legitimate interests of other countries, and recognize that the world is diverse, with multiple influential countries and different civilizations* **Existence and opposition to unilateralism dominating the world; 3. Expand the connotation and scope of the security concept and incorporate it into the comprehensive management of major issues such as peace, assistance, and development. “To become a fully mature participant in international affairs, the EU must attach importance to the development of non-military means of dealing with crises. The international community should simultaneously eliminate the root causes of conflicts through diplomacy, economic assistance and peace processes.”[3] Security issues should be Including democracy, human rights, rule of law, dialogue between various cultures, advocating and promoting personal security, collective security, and cooperative security. The European Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (EFSP) is the operating agency that promotes the "European idea", while the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) have become the armed arms of this agency, thereby strengthening EU capabilities in conflict prevention and military intervention; 4. Human rights issues are given top priority, advocating "human rights over sovereignty" and "humanitarian intervention." It emphasizes strengthening comprehensive governance methods such as human rights, democracy, good governance, economic cooperation, promoting trade, aiding development and preventing conflicts to eliminate the hotbed of "failed states". It advocates that aid be used to eliminate poverty, support education and health, improve the economic, social and human rights conditions of aid recipient countries, and support environmental protection and sustainable development. In order to meet the three major challenges facing the EU, namely "to bring Europe closer to citizens, especially young people, to reform the European political life space in an enlarged Europe and to turn the EU into a stabilizing factor and model in a new, multipolar world" [ 4], the EU is undergoing difficult reforms to improve the EU's decision-making capabilities, efficiency and adaptability to expansion, and to achieve the EU's established role in "playing a first-class role in the new world order, a powerful country's role as a stabilizer and becoming a major international power." It is the strategic goal of most countries and people”[5]. 2. The "big collision" between "European ideals" and American unilateralism In recent years, especially in the year after "9·11", one of the biggest changes in international relations has been the constant conflicts and discord between Europe and the United States, and the widening of rifts. Become a critical critic of U.S. policy in the world.

Specifically, the contradictions between Europe and the United States are highlighted in the following aspects. (1) The emergence of "anti-Americanism" and "anti-Europeanism" ideological trends between Europe and the United States. In May of this year, more than 120 prestigious intellectuals participated in a seminar on "anti-Americanism" in Germany, and an "anti-Europeanism" themed dinner was held in Washington, attended by more than 20 people. Schmitt, head of the US New Century Project Organization, believes: "The EU will always be a thorn in the side of the United States. If we decide to agree to a combination with the EU, it will be a disaster." [6] Scholar Robert Kagan pointed out more clearly: "It is time to stop saying that Europeans and Americans have the same worldview. In the extremely important force-the efficacy of force, the morality of force, and the Americans and Europeans have very different views on expectations." [7] Former German Chancellor Schmidt believes that “Currently, intellectuals with imperialistic tendencies have a greater nationalistic and self-centered influence on U.S. strategy than at any time since the end of World War II” [8], Europe "We should no longer say that Europe and the United States have similar worldviews," said Everts, a senior fellow at the Center for Reform. [9] (2) Disagreements in international institutions and international laws. According to a research report published by the American Energy and Environment Association and the Lawyers Committee for Nuclear Policy in March this year, eight treaties that require the United States to implement include the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. After analyzing and studying the situation of major international treaties, it was stated that the United States is increasingly violating and undermining major international security treaties. The United States “not only refuses to join the newly established international legal mechanisms, but also fails to fulfill its obligations under the treaties it has ratified. obligation". [10] The United States withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, refused to implement the Kyoto Protocol, and opposed the United Nations’ proposal to establish a permanent international criminal tribunal. This caused great dissatisfaction in the European Union, which accused the United States of contempt for international law and undermined the credibility of the Security Council. (3) Differences in foreign policies. Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the EU believes that the United States favors Israel and has no intention of comprehensively resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The EU strongly condemns Israel's invasion of Palestinian territories and opposes the US proposal to replace Arafat. After Bush proposed the "axis of evil" theory, EU countries made it clear that they could not agree with it, believing it to be "an unrealistic and simplistic statement." On the other hand, they made efforts to improve relations with Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. , strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the three countries in economic, social and other fields. Regarding the United States' attempt to launch a military attack on Iraq under the banner of anti-terrorism, EU leaders said that unless authorized by the United Nations, EU countries would not agree to the United States' military attack on Iraq. Even the United Kingdom, the United States' closest ally, has distanced itself from the United States on this issue. Foreign Secretary Straw said: "Iraq's agreement to return United Nations inspectors will change London's position." [11] (4) Friction in the economic and trade field. The "trade war" between Europe and the United States in the economic and trade field has been going on for a long time. This year, the United States unilaterally decided to impose a 30% tariff on some imported steel, and the new agricultural law that significantly increased subsidies for farmers has aroused strong dissatisfaction and reaction from the European Union. The EU proposed a retaliatory list and decided to impose 100% punitive tariffs on US goods, accusing the US decision of not complying with WTO rules. (5) Different opinions on anti-terrorism issues. The EU wants to use the "European concept" to deal with various non-security factors and hopes to solve problems through dialogue rather than confrontation, which is completely different from the US strategy of "either friend or enemy" and "pre-emptive strike". The EU has repeatedly emphasized three principles: establishing an anti-terrorism alliance within the framework of the United Nations; US military strikes should be targeted to avoid harming innocent people; and strict distinction between terrorism and religion. But according to Bush's logic, the war on terror cannot be won by defense alone. The only way to gain security is to take action. (6) Different security strategic concepts. Europe believes that after the end of the Cold War, the United States engaged in "over-the-top diplomacy" across Europe and shifted its strategic focus eastward. After "9·11", Europe and NATO faced even more "marginalization". Europeans worry that "if Europe cannot successfully unite politically and enhance its military strength, it may be pushed to the margins of world politics by the United States' new century strategy."

[12] Regarding the issue of NATO, Europe believes that NATO is a crisis management organization that implements collective defense. The EU’s existing military power alone cannot protect the security and stability of Europe. Europe still needs NATO. But the United States regards NATO as a political tool that can be used. The EU believes that the United States' encouragement of NATO's unlimited "eastward expansion" will lose its original "collective self-defense" nature. The "big collision" between "European ideals" and U.S. unilateralism has aroused the thinking and concerns of all parties in Europe and the United States. The London Institute for International Strategic Studies pointed out in the "2001-2002 Annual Strategic Review Report" that friction may hinder the intended cooperation between Europe and the United States. Efforts to establish a new security relationship that is united and mutually reinforcing are needed in the post-9/11 situation. [13] Joseph Nye said: "The conflicts accompanying U.S. unilateralism are likely to lead to the gradual alienation of European and American relations, and the losses of alienation are huge. Not only will the Europeans often seek to thwart the political goals of the United States, but the United States will also lose the ability to promote democracy. and human rights”. [14] "Washington should be concerned about the resentment its aggressive unilateralist line will arouse among its major allies. After all, the most valuable thing is influence, not power." [15] The crux of the contradiction between Europe and the United States lies in the difference between Europe and the United States in their rational understanding of the world and its governance, between "unilateral" (unilateral and unipolar) and "multiple" (multilateral and multipolar), "dominance" and "democracy" differences on. The EU believes that the world is pluralistic and diverse, and the governance method should be democracy, legality and cooperation, while the United States uses unilateralism to seek to establish a unipolar world order dominated by the United States. 3. The unique and balancing role of the EU. The EU has proposed an ambitious global strategy and has given itself a clear position in the world as a "first-class role", "stabilizer" and "directional beacon". The EU must play a leading role in the new world pattern. It plays a unique and balancing role. About unique effects. The EU's development model and the comprehensive governance, democracy and multilateral thinking in its "European Idea" cater to the aspirations and requirements of most countries and regions in the world. This plays a "directional beacon" role in promoting the establishment of new international relations and new regional cooperation models, and the EU's influence and appeal have therefore increased. Over the past half century, European countries have been able to turn enemies into friends and integrate with each other because Europe has successfully achieved all-round integration starting from economic cooperation. Through mutual cooperation among countries, a security community is established. The EU's own integration process is a process of seeking security and security cooperation under democratization and institutionalization. For historical and geopolitical reasons, the EU has to highlight "comprehensive" and "multilateral" governance while emphasizing security. The EU believes that there is an "arc of instability" at the junction of Europe, Asia, and Africa from the east, southeast, and south. It is deeply troubled by ethnic, religious, and tribal conflicts and conflicts, as well as terrorist activities. In order to maintain security when its military strength is weak, the EU combines "comprehensive" factors such as politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, aid, democracy and legality, and human rights, as well as the mechanisms of the United Nations and international organizations, multilateral thinking, and cooperation with international and regional organizations. , international law and multilateral agreements and other “multilateral” factors should be incorporated into the governance concept. The successful experience of the EU's development has produced "gravity" and "diffusion" effects. On the one hand, the EU has formed the world's most developed and stable regional cooperation organization through cooperation, dialogue, democracy and institutionalization among countries. Its development model has attracted more national requirements. After joining, more countries and regions follow the EU's lead in forming regional cooperation organizations. On the other hand, the EU also integrates its successful experience into its external relations and promotes the democratization and institutionalization of new international relations. In recent years, the EU has established "new partnerships" with various regions around the world and increased its involvement in hot issues, in various fields on the international stage and in every corner of the world, from the United Nations to multilateral cooperation mechanisms, from the Kyoto Protocol to international criminal Courts, from Afghanistan to the Middle East, from the Mediterranean to Latin America, from the Balkans to the Korean Peninsula, can see a very eye-catching and active Europe. “Thanks to its persistent efforts, the EU has not become a major ‘superpower’, but it has become the first factor in world balance.” [16] Regarding the role of checks and balances.

After the end of the Cold War, while the hegemony of the United States as a "superpower" continues to expand, the European Union is no longer a subordinate sidekick. The rise in the strength and status of the European Union has brought new interactions to the relations between major powers, forming synergy and exerting influence on the United States. Hegemony and unilateralism constitute constraints. 1. Relations between major powers have been adjusted and improved to varying degrees, but conflicts between Europe and the United States are expanding. The EU has come to the forefront on many major international issues and has taken the lead in criticizing the United States. It is a "super force" in the world today that dares to say "no" to the United States. The United States and Europe are partners and allies. They are basically consistent on principled issues related to overall strategic goals, and share the same values, history, and cultural ties. It is precisely because of this that Europe can challenge the United States and use the United States to play its role, demonstrating the EU's "first-class role" and "stabilizer" role. However, both sides maintain the situation of "fighting without breaking up" and "making up after quarreling". Therefore, the similarities and contradictions between the United States and Europe must be evaluated realistically. 2． The strategic coordination relationship between Europe, China and Russia has been strengthened. The EU's "European Idea" has similarities with China and Russia's advocacy of a "multipolar" and "diversified" world. Although Europe, China and Russia also have differences, their interests are consistent on major strategic issues of opposing "one superpower" and "unipolar world". Europe-China, Europe-Russia, and China-Russia have strengthened political consultations and dialogue. According to the China-EU Political Dialogue Agreement, the China-EU political dialogue mechanism was officially launched this year. Regarding Russia, with the improvement of Russian-US relations after "9·11", Europe preemptively promised to give Russia the status of a "market economy country" and create a "unified economic space" with Russia. The two sides have strengthened cooperation on some hot issues. Sino-Russian relations have achieved considerable development within the framework of the two countries' strategic partnership of coordination and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. As three important forces in the Eurasian continent, Europe, China, Europe and Russia, and China and Russia should strengthen political and strategic cooperation and dialogue. Strengthening dialogue and even establishing some kind of cooperation mechanism among Europe, China and Russia will be conducive to the in-depth development of Eurasian cooperation and will be beneficial to the development of Eurasian cooperation. Maintaining world peace and stability and promoting multipolarity are of great significance. 3. The interactive relationship between Europe, the United States and Russia is conducive to containing the United States. Since the United States and Russia have restored friendly relations around the issue of international terrorism, “the triangular cooperation between the United States, Europe, and Russia may achieve substantial and significant progress.”[17] “As a more powerful foreign policy force, With its special advantages across Europe, the EU will find it easier to form a workable alliance with the United States and Russia. In fact, a mature Europe-U.S.-Russia triangle can become an important means of restricting U.S. policies.” [18] The EU's accelerated integration is consistent with the direction of the multi-polarization process. Among the democratization, pluralism and multilateralism advocated by the EU, its subtext also contains the intention of multipolarity. In the "Leken Summit Declaration", the EU once again proposed the concept of a "multipolar world", saying: "To turn the EU into a stabilizing factor and model in a new, multipolar world." [19] As an association of sovereign states that is constantly improving, the EU is currently unable to speak with one voice in terms of international diplomacy and defense, which partially limits the role of integration as a "pole". However, as the EU's reform continues to deepen and its strength and status continue to improve, I believe that in the near future, the role of integration in promoting multipolarity will become increasingly apparent. Notes: [1] French Defense magazine, April 2002, page 120, article by German Chancellor Schroeder.

EU Integration and Multipolarization From: First Model Article Network

[2] Ibid., pp. 37--41, "Europe and its Defense Means in 2001".

[3] European Policy Research Center website February 22, 2002, article by Ahtisaari, Director of the European Policy Research Center.

[4)15] EU website, December 18, 2001, "Laiken Summit Declaration".

[6] An article in the British New Statesman magazine on August 5, 2002, "Americans treat us as subordinates."

[7] "Policy Review" of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June-July 2002 issue "The Strong and the Weak".

[8] On August 1, 2002, German weekly Die Zeit published Schmidt’s article “Europe Does Not Need a Guardian.”

[9] US "International Herald Tribune" August 1, 2002, Everts "Some strategies work better than force."

[10] The American Energy and Environmental Association and the Lawyers Committee for Nuclear Policy published a 188-page research report on March 4, 2002, titled "The Rule of Law or the Rule of Rights."

[11] French "Le Monde" August 22, 2002.

[12] German "Der Spiegel" magazine, May 13, 2002.

[13] London Institute for International Strategic Studies' "2001-2002 Strategic Assessment Report": "Europe's Growing Strategic Role".

[14] On June 23, 2002, the US "Los Angeles Times" published an article "Marriages Worth Saving" by Joseph Nye, Dean of Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

[15] US "Foreign Policy Focus" magazine, July 2, 2002.

[16] French "Le Figaro" reported on November 5, 2001, former Defense Minister Richard answered a reporter's question.

[17] Same as [13].

[18) Website of the Belgian Center for European Policy Research, February 21, 2002.

[19] Same as [4].