EU Faces Challenges in Diplomacy in Brussels, Reports Reuters

By Robin Emmott and Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS – The emergence of anti-EU populist leaders in several member states is complicating the European Union’s ability to reach consensus on urgent foreign crises, putting the bloc’s reputation for "soft power" at risk, according to diplomatic sources.

At the conclusion of a foreign ministers meeting on Monday, EU countries were unable to agree on three crucial foreign policy statements regarding Venezuela, relations with Arab nations, and Russian treaty violations, despite days of discussions.

While a statement concerning Iran was eventually approved, its approval was delayed for weeks due to disagreements over a single paragraph.

"We do have trouble in the engine room," remarked one EU envoy.

Historically, forging a unified stance among the 28 member nations has been challenging but is regarded as essential to the EU’s diplomatic effectiveness. The EU has successfully facilitated pro-democracy movements in Ukraine and Tunisia and played a key role in brokering the Iran nuclear deal.

Despite the active public presence of the EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, efforts to establish a common position on diverse issues, including the South China Sea and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have often faltered at critical moments.

Such internal divisions have also delayed the EU’s ability to quickly impose economic sanctions for human rights violations, in contrast to the more decisive actions often taken by the United States.

As European Parliament elections approach in May, mainstream political factions in Brussels may be adopting more hardline positions to resonate with domestic audiences, which could exacerbate the situation, according to an additional diplomat.

"We work tirelessly through weekends, conducting numerous sessions on these documents, yet on Monday night, someone still comes in and vetoes," a third diplomat noted.

MAJORITY VOTING OR MORE DISCORD?

With the UK focused on its imminent departure from the EU and populist movements gaining ground in Italy, the traditional Franco-German alliance that has supported EU integration lacks the influence it once had.

Diplomats indicate that increasing disunity among EU nations highlights the difficulties of achieving consensus, regardless of the geopolitical contexts in which the bloc seeks to exert influence.

For instance, although the European Parliament backed the recognition of Venezuela’s self-declared interim president Juan Guaido, Italy blocked a Swedish proposal to endorse him, concerned about Moscow’s reaction in support of President Nicolas Maduro.

Similarly, when NATO called out Moscow for breaching the INF arms control treaty, Cyprus, together with Greece, prevented a similar declaration from the EU. In 2017, Athens also obstructed an EU attempt to criticize China’s human rights policies at the United Nations.

Hungary, alongside Italy, has also become a considerable obstacle, particularly in light of its strong opposition to European immigration policy. On Monday, Hungary rejected a joint declaration with the League of Arab States due to a reference to a U.N. migration pact that Budapest opposes.

"The EU-Arab ministerial took weeks of preparation, but Hungary’s stance makes no sense. The INF treaty was about NATO versus non-NATO states. The Italian government is in disarray. These instances illustrate how everyone is increasingly pursuing their own agendas," commented a senior EU diplomat.

Poland’s right-wing government has also shown reluctance to endorse language that might be perceived as critical of the United States, its primary ally against Russia within NATO.

Even pro-EU Spain has faced internal disputes over its perceived exclusion from various diplomatic efforts, including initiatives aimed at encouraging Tehran to help resolve the conflict in Yemen.

Last year, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker suggested implementing majority voting in foreign policy matters to enhance political cohesion on human rights and facilitate the imposition of sanctions and decisions related to foreign crises. However, this would necessitate EU governments relinquishing their veto power.

Many diplomats express a commitment to continuing efforts to achieve consensus, despite the complexities involved.

During a meeting at the European Council following a weekend of negotiations focused on Venezuela, one fatigued envoy suggested humorously, "more Red Bull," as a potential remedy for the situation.