A growing number of international institutions and agreements are attempting to tackle the world's major challenges: economic, environmental or security. What is the EU's role in this emerging world order?
Introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, the European External Action Service (EEAS) is intended to give the European Union a greater role in foreign policy. It is now operational, though its scope and competences have been the subject of fierce debate among EU countries.
After a six-month total break-down in WTO negotiations on freeing up global trade, world leaders agreed, in January 2007, to revive the talks, but hopes to clinch a deal ahead of crucial US elections - are waning as hardliners refuse to soften their stance. Some fear talks may collapse completely if a breakthrough is not achieved by then.
After six years of troubled negotiations, the Doha Development Round, aimed at freeing global trade and at extending the benefits of globalisation to developing countries, has yet to come to a successful conclusion.
Sustainable trade implies a trading system that does not harm the environment or deteriorate social conditions while promoting economical growth.
The European Union is fully committed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) process for reducing trade-distorting agricultural subsidies and a progressive reform of agricultural policies. However, it also expects its WTO partners to take into account the European model of agriculture, which puts great emphasis on non-trade concerns, such as environmental protection, food security and rural development.
