The EU needs to address its inconsistent Middle East foreign policy

The author contends that the EU's response to the Israel-Palestine crisis and other regional issues is hampered by internal divisions and the lack of a comprehensive Middle East strategy. The text highlights how the unanimity rule allows single member states to block collective action, such as ceasefire calls or opposition to US-led peace plans. It suggests that as US influence in the region wanes, the EU has an opportunity to establish an independent role, potentially through 'green diplomacy', provided it can overcome its internal fragmentation and move toward qualified majority voting.

• The EU lacks a comprehensive Middle East strategy, unlike its specific strategies for the Sahel (2021) and Central Asia (2019), leading to an uncoordinated and reactive approach to geopolitical issues like the Syrian civil war.
• The EU's foreign policy is frequently paralysed by the unanimity rule, which allows a single dissenting member state to block collective action. Examples include Hungary vetoing a ceasefire proposal in 2021 and six member states, including Italy, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, resisting a joint statement against Donald Trump's 'deal of the century' in 2020.
• The European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), launched in 2004 to encourage reform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has been criticised for a top-down approach that fails to consult regional perspectives and has 'largely failed to convince regional audiences.'
• The EU's response to the 2023 Israel-Palestine crisis is characterised by inconsistent rhetoric and a reluctance to hold Israel accountable for documented violations of international law, which the author suggests undermines the EU's credibility in establishing genuine partnerships with MENA countries.
• As the US reduces its military and political presence in the Middle East, the EU has an opportunity to define an independent role, which could include 'green diplomacy' providing financial and technical assistance for climate and environmental issues.

APA

Besliu, R. (2023). The EU needs to address its inconsistent Middle East foreign policy. Green European Journal. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/the-eu-needs-to-address-its-inconsistent-middle-east-foreign-policy/

Chicago

Besliu, Raluca. The EU needs to address its inconsistent Middle East foreign policy. Green European Journal, 2023. https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/the-eu-needs-to-address-its-inconsistent-middle-east-foreign-policy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Besliu |first1=Raluca |title=The EU needs to address its inconsistent Middle East foreign policy |publisher=Green European Journal |date=20 October 2023 |url=https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/the-eu-needs-to-address-its-inconsistent-middle-east-foreign-policy/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{besliu2023needs, author = {Besliu, Raluca}, title = {{The EU needs to address its inconsistent Middle East foreign policy}}, publisher = {Green European Journal}, year = {2023}, month = oct, url = {https://www.greeneuropeanjournal.eu/the-eu-needs-to-address-its-inconsistent-middle-east-foreign-policy/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }