The European Union and Multilateralism: Preference, Performance and Prospects

Abstract

Krishnamurthy argues that the ‘essence’ of the European Union (EU) involves subjecting inter-state relations to the rule of law and that it is therefore natural for the Union to preach and practice multilateralism. The EU prefers multilateralism at both regional and universal levels. It expects that third countries must have direct relations with it at the multilateral level and professes multilateralism, with the United Nations (UN) at its core. Europeans feel that they must succeed in giving a multilateral dimension to multipolarity to influence the international order. The EU’s preference for multilateralism and optimism about the effectiveness of the UN, however, has not been shared by other global players or by its member states. The chapter also analyses the prospects for achieving cooperative multilateralism.