Partnerships for effective multilateralism? Assessing the compatibility between EU bilateralism, (inter-)regionalism and multilateralism

Abstract

This article investigates the notion of ‘lateralisms’ and how various modes of engagement (namely bilateralism, regionalism and multilateralism) relate to one another. It begins with a careful analysis of the evolution of ‘lateralisms’ and their (in)compatibility at the global level, building on the existing literature from multiple research disciplines. The second part of this article focuses specifically on the European Union's (EU's) foreign policy approach. The author puts forward two main hypotheses. First, the EU has performed a rebalancing act between bilateralism and regionalism/multilateralism over the last decade in favour of the former, notably through the deepening of its so-called ‘strategic partnerships’. Second, this enhanced bilateralism is not necessarily compatible with other ‘lateralisms’, as it can at times undermine regional integration processes or the building of an effective multilateral order. The author eventually formulates some recommendations to ensure that bilateral partnerships are geared towards the strengthening of the multilateral fabric which remains the EU's fundamental and long-term objective.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

¹ Despite the existence of a few strategic partnerships with third regions (Africa and Latin America) and with multilateral organisations (North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] and the UN), these partnerships appear fundamentally different from their bilateral equivalents and I leave them outside this study while recognizing that they should be the subject of future research.

² The EU–Russia strategic partnership is arguably on hold at the time of submitting this article as a result of the Ukrainian crisis.

³ For an overview of all dialogues between the EU and its strategic partners, see the data collected by this author on the website of the European Strategic Partnerships Observatory (ESPO): < www.strategicpartnerships.eu>.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas Renard

Thomas Renard is Senior Research Fellow at the Egmont Institute, where he leads the European Strategic Partnerships Observatory (ESPO). Email: [email protected]