European Union Seeks a Role More Independent from America

Unilateral and impulsive actions by the United States have effectively made independent approaches and strategies necessary for member countries of the European Union. America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and its approach toward China are among the matters that have caused European dissatisfaction.

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, announced at the opening of the two-day summit of leaders and heads of member states of this union in Slovenia that the issue concerns increasing the weight and role of the European Union on the international stage and defending its interests as well as shared values.

Michel’s reference is to the unilateral behavior of the United States in international politics. With Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election, European politicians had hoped that the new American administration would distance itself from Trump administration’s unilateral policies and coordinate its actions with its European allies.

America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan without considering European concerns, as well as the conclusion of a strategic partnership between this country and Britain and Australia, are among the matters that have ended the optimism of this group of European politicians regarding the performance of the new American administration.

On the other hand, European countries view with suspicion the policy and actions of the American government regarding the challenges arising from the actions of the People’s Republic of China.

Charles Michel, at the supreme summit of leaders and heads of member states of the European Union, while emphasizing NATO’s role as the main pillar of European security, called for a more independent role for this union.

Macron and a Powerful Europe

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, called for strengthening the capacity and capabilities of the European Union at various levels. Macron emphasized the need to strengthen the efficiency of member states of the European Union in the fields of technology, industry, finance, as well as in the military sphere, and considered these areas essential for creating a powerful Europe.

It should be noted that Macron also called for military independence of the European Union from America following the hasty withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan in August.

The President of France intends to hold a high-level conference on European security and defense issues during his country’s rotating presidency of the Council of Europe (in the first half of 2022).

Opposition from Eastern European Countries

Discussions about a more independent approach from the United States by some European Union countries, including two major countries of this union, Germany and France, have faced opposition from Baltic Sea region countries (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) as well as from Eastern European countries.

These countries, which are concerned about increasing Russian influence, view the NATO defense treaty and the United States as a guarantee for their security against Russia.

Other Important Issues of the Summit

At the summit of leaders and heads of member states of the European Union, other important issues were also discussed, including coordinating the union’s policies regarding the expansion of Chinese influence and the issue of rising energy prices.

However, what has caused dissatisfaction among some member states of the European Union is the security pact between America, Britain, and Australia.

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy coordinator, has strongly criticized this unilateral action by the United States, which took place without coordination with European allies.

This is while France’s dissatisfaction with this security pact has another reason as well. The decision by America and Britain to provide nuclear submarine manufacturing technology to Australia has effectively angered France.

France reached an agreement with Australia in 2016 regarding the sale of submarines to that country. Now the security pact between America, Britain, and Australia has resulted in France’s €56 billion submarine sales contract being cancelled.

At the Slovenia summit, discussions continued about accepting new members in the European Union, but the leaders of member states of this union reached agreement on providing financial assistance within the framework of a new economic program and investment for Western Balkan countries.

Source: DW