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The Variable Geometry of European Security Cooperation – Impact on Institutions and Small States. Reykjavik 14 October 2011. Variable Geometry. Countries cooperating in a large variety of groups whose composition is determined by the purpose of cooperation. In Addition.
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The VariableGeometryofEuropeanSecurityCooperation – Impact on Institutions and Small States Reykjavik 14 October 2011
VariableGeometry • Countriescooperating in a largevarietyofgroupswhosecomposition is determined by the purposeofcooperation.
In Addition • Initiativesemanateprimarily from capitals • Institutions aremoreoffacilitatorsthanactors • Groups aremoreoftenformedacrossinstitutionalborderlines
VariableGeometry as Perceived in the 1990’s • Institutionallybasedcooperation leading towards integration through a) vanguardgroups, leading othersb) coregroups in concentriccircles • Europe à la carte: opt-in and opt-out
From HighPriorityof Integration to Common Interests • EU as a peaceproject is todaylargelyforgottenalsowithin the foundingstates. • EU statesto a verylargedegreehave a common threat perception accordingto the EuropeanSecurityStrategy (2003 and 2008)
WhyVariableGeometry? • New types and varietyofthreats makes securitycooperationmorevaried. • Enlargementof the EU has made it moreheterogeneous and moredifficulttomanage. • Fewerinitiativesemanating from the EU. • Ongoinginstitutionalchangeswithin the EU.
VariableGeometry as Established Policy • Coalitionsof the willing: dueto the voluntarycharacterofpeace operations etc • Regional cooperation. Increasedimpetus by financialcrisis
VariableGeometry and Integration Prüm Convention: closecooperationamongsome EU countries in justice and homeaffairsagainst terrorism and international crime Euro: but in whichdirectionnow?
VariableGeometry for Leadership and Influence Formal groups: Franco-German, G6 Informal: Weimar Triangle (France, Germany and Poland) Anglo-French, Nordic, variouscontactgroupsetc
Impact on EuropeanSecurity Giving the needed input which the EU is not abletogive, increasingefficiency …and solvinginternal problems within the group …butriskingthat the momentum is created by the interestsof the groupratherthan by all
Impact on Institutions Risk that institutions maybecomeeven less important. -This is a responsibilityof the countriesinvolvedto show transparency and moveissuesto EU decision-makingwhen relevant - Also a responsibility for EU institutions ex Commission, EEAS etctotakeinitiatives
Impact on Small Countries – The Needto be Active Small countriesneedto be knowledgeable, active, reliable and thereforesought-for partners. Theyshould do whattheycanto forward long-term and European solutions, whichare the best ones for the small.