The EU's Northern Dimension - rich in rhetoric, poor in substance?

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The Rhetoric
  • Diverging Interests between the Commission and the Member States
  • The Case against the Northern Dimension
• The Substance
  • A Postmodern Vision for the EU
• Conclusion
• Appendix
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to examine the substance and potential of the EU's Northern Dimension policy, critically evaluating its claims and exploring its significance in the context of European foreign policy. The paper argues that while the Northern Dimension has been criticized for lacking concrete substance, particularly within the framework of its Action Plan, it holds significant potential for positive impact through its unique approach to cooperation and its ability to serve as a model for EU external relations.

• The Northern Dimension as a case study of EU foreign policy and its complexities.
• The role of national interests and initiatives in shaping EU policies.
• The balance between rhetoric and substance in EU policies.
• The potential of the Northern Dimension to foster stability and security through positive interdependence in the region.
• The significance of the Northern Dimension as a model for EU external relations.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter sets the scene by situating the Northern Dimension within the broader context of EU foreign policy, outlining its distinct characteristics, and introducing the key arguments and objectives of the paper. It highlights the Northern Dimension's innovative approach, drawing attention to its ambition to achieve its goals without requiring new institutional arrangements or additional funding.
• The Rhetoric: This chapter delves into the origins and motivations behind the Northern Dimension initiative, focusing on the Finnish proposal of 1997 and its subsequent development and implementation. It examines the policy's focus on "low-politics" issues, such as infrastructure development, environmental concerns, and cross-border cooperation, and explores the broader aim of promoting stability and security in the region.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts central to this work include: EU foreign policy, Northern Dimension, Action Plan, low-politics, stability, security, positive interdependence, cross-border cooperation, postmodern security agenda, rhetoric, substance, and the potential for EU external relations models.