The EU in the International Arena and the Role of Turkey IOANNIS KASOULIDES* Introduction Only 20 years after the end of the Cold War, the world stage has evolved at a much faster pace than expected. The US predominance has lasted only a moment in world history; and, since the beginning of the new century, what we are witnessing is the steady evolution of a multipolar system characterized by the emergence of new centers of gravity in Asia and Latin America. The economic and geopolitical map is radically changing and the recent financial crisis has contributed to these changes. The “triad” of US-EU-Japan is losing its relative importance vis-à-vis new economical and political powers now becoming global actors, in particular the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China. Indeed, the influence of emerging economies on world affairs is steadily growing. They have great economic potential accounting for 15% of the world economy, comprising 42% of the global population, and composed of 26% of the world’s landmass. The world itself has become more and more integrated and interdependent, not only economically but also in the sense that global problems have now come to light - or if they have always existed, at least now we are much more aware of them and their global implications. Furthermore, because they are global, they require global cooperation in order to be set right. The economic crisis, the tectonic changes in the Arab World, nuclear safety, climate change, energy security and supply, international terrorism and piracy and the supply of raw materials must be added to the list of longstanding issues that the international community has been facing, such as the Middle East Peace Process and the Iranian Nuclear Program. The EU is in principle and substance a natural supporter of effective multilateralism on the world stage, based on the solid belief that many issues, such as the ones just referred to, cannot be solved unilaterally or without coordination. * Member of the European Parliament. Vice-President, EPP Group. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus (1997-2003).
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