EU foreign policy

When the EU was formally created in 1993, it differed from its EEC predecessor in its explicit recognition that European countries together could have an important collective voice on the world stage to promote peace, security and progress in Europe and the world.

The EU has taken a strong lead on the issues surrounding aid to the developing world, a lead advocated and supported by the UK.

Aid cannot be disentangled from policies on trade between the EU as a single entity and the rest of the world.

And as the EU evolves, it cannot avoid questions about developing its capability and readiness to manage military intervention, where it is better placed than other agencies, as a complementary arm to its wide-ranging diplomatic activities.