EU Studies in Japan
Online ISSN : 1884-2739
Print ISSN : 1884-3123
ISSN-L : 1884-3123
Topics: Populism and the EU as a Regional Actor
Keynote speech given at the 39th Annual Conference of the EU Studies Association-Japan on 17th November 2018 at Dokkyo University. “The EU as a Global Actor in a Changing World”
Patricia FLOR
Author information
JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2019 Volume 2019 Issue 39 Pages 76-82

Details
Abstract

 The world today is full of many challenges, such as climate change, pollution, as well as threats such as the proliferation of nuclear arms that no single state or country can deal with alone.

 The post-World War II order was built around a multilateral and international system with the United Nations at its core, but this is being challenged. Although faced with internal challenges ranging from Brexit, aging populations, issues of financial stability, to questions of security, there are many issues such as foreign policy, and climate change, where the European Union is united.

 We have a stake in the multilateral system and of course many of the challenges we face are global ones, be it space, oceans, or climate related. The EU has therefore been an advocate of the multilateral policy approach and will remain so.

 The EU is becoming more global, and we understand Europe and the EU today as a global actor. Examples include the nuclear deal with Iran, as well as the successful negotiation of many new trade agreements, including with Japan, one of our most important like-minded partners.

 The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) illustrate the EU and Japan’s political will and determination to work together on shared interests, and similar challenges.

 The EPA brings together two huge economic spaces, and will see the abolishment of more than 90% of existing tariffs over the next few years, many of them immediately. It also contains provisions on procurement, services and the investment market.

 The gains from agreements such as this are big and real, and have the potential to indirectly tackle other issues such as the rise in populism we have seen in recent years. The lowering of tariffs and the easing of economic exchange should lead to lower prices for consumer goods, leading to increased business opportunities for all.

 The intention of the SPA is for the EU and Japan to engage in much stronger cooperation and burden sharing to shore up our respective positions on issues such as cybersecurity and space, science & technology/research & development, as well as peace and security. Maritime security is also a priority area, with both the EU and Japan depending on maintaining maritime security in order for our relationship to truly flourish.

 If we can create an alliance of like-minded partners, the EU and Japan, alongside countries such as Canada or Australia, we should be able to overcome these challenges and get through these difficult waters we are in right now.

Content from these authors
© 2019 The European Union Studies Association - Japan
Previous article Next article
feedback
Top