Humanitarian crisis tests EU’s policy

As Libyan refugees flooded into neighbouring countries in the spring of 2011, the European Union faced what could be the most challenging humanitarian crisis to land on its doorstep since the Balkan wars.

On a world stage featuring a muscular US and economically assertive China, the EU has attempted to carve a niche for itself as the global 'soft power', using its humanitarian aid and development resources to project influence. The humanitarian crisis in north Africa now posed an early test of that policy.

ESO: Background information: Libya crisis to hit poor worldwide, EU warns http://www.europeansources.info/record/libya-crisis-to-hit-poor-worldwide-eu-warns/

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