EU Strategic Partnerships with third countries

Strategic partnerships between the European Union and third countries promote international cooperation in a range of areas including the economy, security, and environmental issues.

Special Partnership Agreements are considered mutually beneficial and enable nations to work together to achieve shared objectives and aspirations.

As the nature of each bilateral alliance differs from country to country, it is not possible to give an exact definition. Rather, different strategic partnership projects can be examined to determine the nature of the agreement with a specific third nation.

EU Strategic Partnerships (SPs) are in constant development, responding to current day issues. For example, a summit was held between the EU and India on July 15th 2020 to discuss the strengthening of the EU-India strategic partnership based on mutual concerns regarding COVID-19, climate change, and digitalisation.

This article analyses the key areas for cooperation between the EU and its main strategic partners and the aims of such bilateral agreements. It also takes a look towards the future and possible EU partnership and cooperation agreements in the coming years.

WHO ARE THE EU’S STRATEGIC PARTNERS?

The EU has 10 bilateral strategic partners across the Americas, Africa, and Asia:

The US, Japan, Russia and Canada are considered ‘established partners’ and were originally not based on official agreements.

Partnerships formed following the drawing up of the 2003 EU Security Strategy: China (2003), India (2004) Brazil and South Africa (2007) and Mexico (2008) were formally proposed by the Commission and approved by the Council of Member States.

The agreement with South Korea did not go through this process, the partnership was announced in 2010 without having gone through formal processing.

HOW DOES THE EU CHOOSE ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS?

Having shared goals and values is one of the criteria for forming strategic partnerships. However, in the case of Russia and China, it is more accurate to suggest that the SPs are based on common interests and the idea that the relationship is mutually beneficial.

The European Union also takes into account the influence that a nation has on global issues when considering special partnerships. For this reason, the third-country members of the G8 and the Outreach 5 all have special partnership agreements with the EU.

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH GROUPS OF COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

In addition to SPs with individual third countries, the European Union is considered to have strategic partnerships with 5 groups of countries and international organisations:

KEY FEATURES OF EU PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS

The specific nature of a bilateral partnership between the EU and a third country depends on specific factors such as the extent of shared values.

Overall, the various strategic partnership projects facilitate international engagement on global matters including:

As each EU Member State conducts its own foreign policy, these established partnerships help to ensure a more integrated approach towards such central issues.

Some of the Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPA) that the EU has with third countries are examined here in greater detail.

EU-CANADA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The strategic partnership between the EU and Canada is an example of an all-inclusive agreement. Like the United States, Canada is considered a ‘like-minded’ partner and has a close relationship with EU Member States.

The shared values and objectives of Canada and the EU Member States shaped the Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the 2 parties in Brussels on October 30th 2016.

Some of the most significant issues addressed by this SPA are as follows:

INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

This section of the partnership recognises the fight against terrorism to be a shared priority and states that Canada and the EU will work together to enhance counter-terrorism efforts.

Other topics covered regarding peace and security include the need to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and a commitment to the International Criminal Court.

ECONOMIC AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The EU-Canada SPA aims to promote free trade and investment between the 2 nations. The parties also commit to sustainable development, including the responsible use of resources and an awareness of the environmental impact.

Climate change is an important consideration in the SPA as Canada and the EU outline the need to take immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY

This covers important issues such as cooperation against illegal drug use, prevention of organised crime and corruption, and the threat of cybercrime.

By working together in this way, the EU and Canada can be more effective and efficient when it comes to overcoming the aforementioned challenges.

The relationship between the EU and the US is the strongest of all, with the values of both parties being in line. The US and EU prioritize security, justice and freedom.

CHINA AND RUSSIA AS EUROPEAN UNION’S STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Unlike the other partner countries, there is often a significant difference between the values and views of the EU and its strategic partners Russia and China.

In these cases, cooperation is more limited and interest-driven. Differing attitudes towards some international issues have prevented deeper strategic partnerships being formed.

The comprehensive EU-China strategic partnership covers a lot of ground but human rights issues are a sticking point.

COOPERATION BETWEEN THE EU AND OTHER STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Whilst not as complete as the SPAs between the EU and the US and Canada, significant cooperation has been achieved between the European Union and Japan, South Korea, and Mexico.

Also considered to be like-minded and with shared goals and values, agreements between the EU and countries such as Japan cover similar areas including terrorism, corruption, and money laundering.

Citizens of South Korea, Japan and Mexico can stay in European Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days, an ETIAS visa waiver will be required once the new system is launched in 2026 . The same privileges apply to US and Canadian nationals.

BRAZIL AND SOUTH AFRICA

Brazil and South Africa have limited agreements based on common values with the EU.

The India-EU strategic partnership had previously been of similar scope but is set to be extended in the coming years. At a summit on July 15th, 2020 leaders adopted the “EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025”.

CULTURAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE EU AND ITS PARTNERS

Cultural strategic partnership projects have been established between the EU and some third country special partners, most notably with China and Brazil.

EU-BRAZIL JOINT PROGRAMME ON CULTURE

The 2011-2014 Joint Programme on Culture committed the EU and Brazil to:

EU-CHINA CULTURAL COOPERATION TAKES VARIOUS FORMS

A Joint Declaration on EU-China cultural cooperation was established in 2012. Several projects and programmes have also been set up:

There are also Joint Declarations on cultural cooperation between the EU and Indian and Mexico.

THE FUTURE OF EU STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

It is generally agreed that the development of strategic partnerships should be prioritized by the European Union. Such partnerships boost the EU’s position internationally and help the organisation to work towards some of its most important objectives.

Any future strategic partnerships should be based on reciprocity and mutual values and interests. They should aim towards tackling the biggest global challenges of the moment.

Some analysts suggest that it would be more beneficial to focus on a small group of high priority partners whilst others would prefer a more wide-reaching approach.

There have recently been discussions regarding the UK- EU relationship after Brexit, many believe existing SPAs offer the best preview of what the alliance will be like following the transition period.