European Integration & China-EU Relations: Historical Overview & Current Significance, Appunti di Relazioni Internazionali

Scarica European Integration & China-EU Relations: Historical Overview & Current Significance e più Appunti in PDF di Relazioni Internazionali solo su Docsity! Relazioni Internazionali 24.04.2013 – Zhao UE - China relations I. European integration process: The european integration process can be seen as a political experiment. Currently, in China, there is a discussion on the EU and its integration process. The EU is a regional organization and an influential regional block. The current situation of the EU, the international financial crisis (debt) shows signs of a decreasing cohesion and because of this financial crisis, the EU’s ability to act on the global scene has been constrained. However, the EU’s problems are systematic: to solve and overcome these problems the EU must realize a deeper integration. II. Eu as an increasingly important international actor (and as a peace facility): Starting from the franco-german reconciliation, it has formed the base for stability and peace in Europe. The process of enlargement can be seen as an extension of stability; especially after the Cold War (East Europe). The enlargement is a great achievement and an historical opportunity. in 2012: Nobel prize for peace: the EU deserves this prize because it contributed to stability and peace. It also plays an important economic role in the global economy (the EU is one of the two giants in the WTO): when China applied to be part of the WTO it negotiated with the EU as a … of the member states. The EU is a diplomatic/security actor because of its increasing role played in the UN. It also has a growing and leading role in global climate change and global politics. III. China- EU’s relation: China became the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Great Britain was one of the European countries that recognized the PRC. In 1964 France was the first country that restored diplomatic relations with China. But the European Union and China officially decided to establish diplomatic relations in 1975. The period between 1995-2005 was important for China-EU relations. Especially since the ‘90s when China started its economic growth and the EU achieved integration. Before2003 China-EU’s relation were active. After the Iraq’s war (2003) China saw the EU as an independent organization (opposed to the USA). China and the EU have shared views on: - oct’03: the first policy paper on China-EU relations for a comprehensive/strategic partnership. Now China has established deep relations with most European countries. - in ’98 the China and EU launched the “treat volume” with their annual summit. China and the EU worked to promote reforms on financial and economic cooperation of regional areas and climate change. China is confident of the Eu’s integration process and the crisis has been a focal point in debate. Their relation is important and meaningful and China has stayed committed to the EU. Today, there are new historical opportunities: a prosperous and stable Europe is in China’s interest and cooperation is strategic and necessary. The EU has not yet realized a high level of political integration. China wants to see a stronger EU and more integrated to develop greater cooperation.