How Europe can defend the liberal international order
Channel: Warszawskie Biuro ECFR
Date: 2019-12-20

On December 12, 2019, European Council on Foreign Relations hosted a debate titled "How Europe can defend the liberal international order"


Panellists:
⚫ Jerzy Baurski, Director of the United Nations and Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
⚫ Anthony Dworkin, Senior Policy Fellow at ECFR
⚫ Teija Tiilikainen, Director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, former Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland


Discussion chaired by Piotr Buras, head of ECFR Warsaw Office. Opening statement by HE Juha Ottman, Ambassador of Finland to Poland


Europe’s security and prosperity have been built on the foundation of multilateral institutions that underpin a rule-based, rather than power-based, world order. However, multilateralism faces a multiple crisis: Global shifts in economic and political weight erode the bases of the system with Europe’s and the West’s influence in the world waning, while the rise of China changes the balance of power in the world. Meanwhile, the United States under Donald Trump perceives multilateralism as an impediment on the American interests.

However, this uncertain period represents not only a risk, but also a moment of opportunity for Europe. The EU’s new Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024 reflects this, calling for European action to defend and reform multilateral institutions. Multilateralism is also a common theme in Finland's Presidency in the Council of the European Union, mentioned in relation to areas as diverse as security, trade and civil justice.

How can the EU promote new coalitions and caucuses in support of multilateralism? What is the role of the EU in the global competition between the U.S. and China? And what role can Poland and Finland play in forging a European response to the crisis of multilateralism?