The European Union: time to further peace and justice

Abstract:

In the early 21st century, the EU became increasingly engaged in peace processes, often through the European Union Special Representatives and in an ad hoc way. This brief argued that the External Action Service (EAS) should address the role that the EU could and should play in peace processes early. It was not a role that was expected to develop organically anymore, for it was time for strategic decision-making. There was an ideal opportunity to assess what EU diplomats should be contributing to peace processes, and making the necessary support available, for interventions of this kind affected not only the EU’s external action and its intended beneficiaries, but also the Union’s identity on the world stage.