A single European voice can speak louder to the world : the EPC and the CSCE experiences

Abstract

This chapter takes the preparation for the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) as a test case for analysing how the member states of the European Community (EC) moved towards cooperation on foreign policy and set up specific mechanisms and rules within the scope of their brand new European Political Cooperation (EPC). The first section explains why the EC member states decided to cooperate on the CSCE and what goals they wanted to achieve by acting together. The second section focuses on the procedures and mechanisms that the nine established in EPC, at NATO, and during the CSCE negotiations with the purpose of harmonising their positions and speak with one voice on CSCE issues. In the conclusion, the chapter offers an assessment of the EPC’s performance in the CSCE, and critically discuss why the successful experience of the CSCE could not be repeated in other foreign policy fields at the time.