Welcome to ECFR.eu
The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is the first ever pan-European think-tank. With a policy team in seven capitals - London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Sofia, Madrid and Warsaw -– it unites some of our continent’'s most distinguished researchers and analysts to promote Europe’'s role in the world. The ECFR is based on a belief that, in a world order defined by great powers and even larger problems, European countries can either band together and develop common responses, or risk losing influence over their fates. As Martti Ahtisaari, Joschka Fischer, Mabel van Oranje and I explain in today's Financial Times, the ECFR has been launched to fight against Europe's tendency to introversion, and to inspire European governments to develop a more vigorous common foreign policy.
The centerpiece of our launch is our Statement of Principles which has been written and signed by fifty founding members. It is a call on governments in European countries to adopt a more coherent and vigorous foreign policy in support of European values and interests backed by all of Europe’s power: political, cultural, economic and – when all else fails – military.
We’re now encouraging all European citizens to endorse the Statement and thereby to become Associates of the ECFR. You can read the statement in full and sign up here. By adding your name to the list of signatories, you will be invited to be an Associate of the ECFR. As an Associate you’ll benefit from the following:
- Invitations to the ECFR events and our eurotalks series: telephone & VOIP briefings with leading foreign policy practitioners and analysts.
- Advance copies of ECFR publications.
- Regular email updates about ECFR research, advocacy and campaigns and participation in ECFR straw polls on the big issues facing Europe.
In the weeks ahead we will be releasing the results of our first major research project, looking at the EU’s relationship with Russia. Too often European countries see themselves as weak and helpless in the face of a resurgent Russia that is increasingly ready to use energy as a political weapon. We think that by acting together, the countries of the EU can re-balance the relationship, reflecting the true realities of European power.
We will also be publishing new analyses of the situation in Afghanistan and recommendations on how European countries can mobilize more effectively at the United Nations in support of our values of protecting human rights. We’re also partners in an exciting new departure in ‘deliberative democracy’: Tommorrow’'s Europe, which will bring a representative sample of 400 European citizens together for a weekend of debate and discussion. To find out more all this week of our launch I'm guest blogging at The Economist's Certain Ideas of Europe blog and I'll be using the opportunity to focus on some of the key issues, for example on Monday on Europe's foreign policy dilemma in the new multipolar world. Our launch period culminates in a big event in Berlin on 9 November. The event will gather some 200 European policy makers to discuss the EU’s relationships with Russia, China and its role in the Middle East. The German Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has agreed to be our keynote speaker.
It's great to be up-and-running finally and I'm looking forward to the coming months in which we’ll be bringing a new voice and new ideas to strengthen Europe’s role in the world. For those looking for the website in other languages than English, multilingual functionality will be coming very soon.
Best wishes,
Mark Leonard, Executive Director
Latest Publications
China shapes its post-crisis economic agenda
The latest issue of China Analysis looks at Beijing’s willingness to strengthen international economic governance, and argues that much thinking in China seems to focus on the short term
China and India: rivals always, partners sometimes
The latest issue of China Analysis argues that Western concerns over “Chindia” - the emergence of a Sino-Indian economic power bloc or strategic alliance - may be unwarranted.
Towards a post-American Europe: A Power Audit of EU-US Relations
Europe has the US president it wished for, but Barack Obama lacks the strong transatlantic partner he wants.
Can the EU rebuild failing states? A review of Europe’s civilian capacities.
Broken promises and treating Afghanistan, DR Congo and Iraq like Bosnia has left the EU without the capacity to prevent fragile states from becoming failing states.
Supporting Moldova's democratic transition
If EU leaders are looking for ways to make the Eastern Partnership successful, there are worse places to start than Moldova.
What does Russia think?
ECFR publishes collection of views from key Russian intellectuals.
The EU and human rights at the UN: 2009 annual review
The EU’s ongoing loss of influence at the UN is putting lives at risk, argues ECFR’s latest paper.
China’s response to the G2
Fears in Europe that China works to lock the US into a “G2” embrace so as to dominate the global agenda do not reflect Chinese experts’ current strategic thinking.
European and Russian power in the troubled neighbourhood
A complacent strategy focusing on slow change rather than pressing crises is losing the EU its battle with Russia for influence in the eastern neighbourhood.
Beyond the “War on Terror”
The EU should seize the opportunity to influence President Obama’s efforts to reform US counterterrorism policy.
A Power Audit of EU-China Relations
China is exploiting the EU’s divisions and treating the 27-state bloc with “diplomatic contempt” on issues ranging from trade to the Dalai Lama.
Shaping Europe's Afghan Surge
The military surge in Afghanistan will fail unless it comes with a civilian surge as part of a new strategy.
Re-wiring the US-EU relationship
With the pivotal change of leadership in Washington, the US and the EU are presented with an ideal moment to strengthen the US-EU institutional bond.
Beyond dependence: How to deal with Russian gas
Building a single European market in natural gas is the most effective strategy for the European Union to counter Russia’s divisive energy diplomacy.
Promoting democracy abroad - the EU's record
In a joint research project with FRIDE, ECFR looks at the EU’s record in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.
The EU a global force for human rights?
The EU’s leverage to promote human rights through the UN has dramatically declined over the last decade, our exclusive report reveals.
Can the EU win the peace in Georgia?
This paper analyses the background and developments in the Russia-Georgia conflict and outlines recommendations on how to prevent wider political fallout.
Re-energising Europe's Security and Defence Policy
European governments cannot afford to move at the speed of the slowest and should push for a ‘multi-speed’ Europe on ESDP.
In the Press
International Herald Tribune - 09 Feb 10
Thomas Klau on how the economic crisis has affected Europe’s policy agenda.
The Times - 08 Feb 10
Andrew Wilson: Tymoshenko may contest Ukraine’s election results.
The Financial Times - 08 Feb 10
Andrew Wilson on Ukraine’s exit polls.
Reuters - 08 Feb 10
Ukraine: The question now is whether Tymoshenko will challenge.
The Observer - 07 Feb 10
Wilson: Tymoshenko has as many friends as the troubled English footballer John Terry.
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Congrats on the new website, best of luck!
The ECFR badly needs a virtual/digital dimension (virtual think tank) so the discussion can be more inclusive, integrative and modern in its nature.
Regards,
Val Samonis, PhD, CPC
Vilnius University, Lithuania
I hope this new initiative will enhance the positive role that Europe can play in world politics in emphasizing that today’s global problems can only be solved by multilateral cooperation and not unipolar hegemony. Best Wishes and Congratulations
The launch of the European Council on Foreign Relations is announced in the FT.
The think-tank will apparently encourage EU members to adopt common foreign policy positions. It especially supports international law.
But is there such a thing as international law anymore? Many think the UN Charter has been effectively binned.
Good Evening,
I am delighted that finaly a thinktank is devoted to the necessary foreign policy of Europe that so far is a econonical giant but a politician and military dwarf. Congratulations to the promoters !
Prof Dr Ir Alphonse NANSON, Forest Geneticist.
Good idea, but why is it all capitalized? It is as though you are constantly shouting, not necessarily the image you want to project.
Today, on Dutch radio 1, I listened to Mabel Van Oranje. Must say, my compliments for the clear and sound message! A pleasant interactive interview, without any questions unanswered.
I wish the ECFR the very best!
- and I must ask the same question as Mrs/Mr Please… why is everybody capitalized/shouting? -
very good initiative,but you need to combine and knowing the way of thinking of the countries sitting and coming in the EU.
Only on that way,it can be very succesful.
This is a good idea. Congratulations. The idea would be even better, perhaps excellent, if the European public, i.e. any of us, could participate in the debates and decision-making.
“Too often European countries see themselves as weak and helpless in the face of a resurgent Russia that is increasingly ready to use energy as a political weapon.”
Germany is very dependent on energy from Russia. As a consequence, it has an especially close relationship with Moscow.
Germany and Britain are only two of the EU members who frustrate a common energy policy.
For example, the European Commission appealed this week for EU member states to use more nuclear energy. Therefore Germany is being asked to rethink its decision to shut all its nuclear plants by 2020.
However EU Observer reports the President of German company EON commenting:
>Nuclear power is a “very religious issue in Germany”, he said, adding that “public opinion has to be changed before one can consider nuclear again as a revival in the energy mix”.<
At present, nuclear supplies about 12% of Germany’s total energy needs and over a quarter of its electricity. But at least Germany is moving ahead quickly with renewables.
And for another example, Under current policies renewables would be only 5% of Britain’s energy mix by 2020 - Germany hopes to achieve 27% against an EU target of 20% for 2020.
Britain’s performance in renewables looks dire.
I welcome this initiative and hope that it can give voice to the situation in Belarus. So far only George Bush had guts to admit that under the current ‘brutal’ regime Belarus is the last dictatorship in Europe. European politicians are not weak as it was pointed out in the previous comment. They are self-interested and it is a pity that they have not developed much interest in democracy yet. I just hope that apart from all things global this initiative will develop some interestest in such local and down to earth things like democracy in Belarus. Otherwise, what is the point to bandy about everything global and doing nothing about something local?
Read Timothy Garton-Ash’s article in “The Guardian” today and found this web page as a result. I wish you every success! It is about time people in Britain woke up to the need for European cooperation and stopped pretending we can influence world events on our own. We need, however, to maintain as much “subsidiarity” as is consistent with this. Hence the need for a European constitution which would define the extent/limits of the powers of the member states.
Thanks for all your comments. Apologies for not responding immediately as I have been involved in a series of events to launch ECFR. We have removed the CAPS as ‘please’ suggested. As ‘Rogi’ says this will be much more worthwhile if the public takes part in our debates on foreign policy. So please, let your friends know about the site; and keep the excellent comments coming!
One of the biggest blocks to creative thought is the division of ideas by artificial lines - be they political, cultural, academic or psychological. The European Council on Foregin Relations is a progressive movement because it bridges cultural, political and academic barriers, bringing together thinkers and ideas who otherwise would be separate. This is the way to champion integration - and to develop new thinking.
Congratulations, and good luck.
This council is a wonderfull initiative that is badly needed.
I just joined, what I do not like is that during this online process, people are forced to send a message to ten email adresses.
This made me stopping the process of joining and I abandoned it, because I do not want to send out this kind of spam.
Maybe you can refrain from asking people to do this.
AvS
Who elects the members of the ecfr? How is the european public involved in determing the subjects of this think tank?
A great initiative and I wish you the best of luck. “Europe” does need to do some “European”, rather than national, policy planning. But I have to admit it is one part naive and one part depressing that under the goals of the ECFR there is not a single mention of the US. I know that the idea of the ECFR is to talk about Europe and Europe’s role in the world and I heartily support this, but to not even mention the US and relations with America (the good and the bad) you are bascially ignoring reality. You can define the terms of Europe’s relationship with America how you like, but I don’t think you can pretend the US does not exist.
The best of luck. There are never enough well researched, common sense policy approaches. So how about U.S. Associates? RT
Congratulations from Berlin! Since I did read Mark Leonards book about Europe and 21st Century plus Jeremy Rifkin about European Dream Nad fimmaker Wim Wenders about European Soul, since I am involved in know how business in Arabian GCC Region, in communicating lots with American friends (as convinced Transatlanticist), discovering the Asia Pacific Area which is rowing rapidly with tremendous self-confidence….
I am convinced this Council is a MUST. I am determined to contribute as much is possible and make coming months and years a great time for rising clear, strong and distinctive European Voice.
Best, from Berlin,
Albert Klamt