The fourth issue of the foreign and security policy monthly Diplomaatia (Diplomacy) features mainly articles about the European Union.

English Summary

The fourth issue of the foreign and security policy monthly Diplomaatia (Diplomacy) features mainly articles about the European Union.
In an analysis specially written for Diplomaatia, Alyson Bailes, the Director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), notes many positive aspects about the EU common security and defence policy (ESDP) during the first three years of its existence. Many things went fully according to the plan and the targets set at Helsinki European Council were quickly met, though many questions remain about quality and coordination. Bailes analyses what went wrong, so that at the end of 2003 there was still squabbling between member states over ESDP.
An article by Jean-Claude Casanova about the role of France in the world draws parallels between the foreign policy of General Charles de Gaulle and President Jacques Chirac. The author explores French-US relations and explains reasons why the relations are in the stage where they reached in connection with the Iraq War. With the author’s permission, Diplomaatia translated the article on the basis of an essay published in the magazine Commentaire.
After enlargement from 15 to 25 member states, the EU will have to redefine its relations with others. According to the analysis of the former foreign minister Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the question is not so much about the trans-Atlantic relationship, but rather about the relations with the new neighbours. In other words, with regard to New Europe, Old Europe should not be afraid of Eastern Europe not so much for their attraction to the US as their unfearful attitude towards Russia.
Ireland’s presidency of the EU has started. Many people in Estonia consider Irish and Estonians to be similar. Mart Nutt tries to answer the question whether Ireland as presidency country will find an ally in the new EU member state Estonia, as Estonia has already found Ireland.
Sovietologist Riina Kionka writes about the current standing of Sovietology. She believes the biggest mistake made by Sovietologists in observing the development of the Soviet Union was little attention paid to ethnic issues.
The book recommendation in this issue comes from Harri Tiido who reviews the third part of memoirs of Max Jakobson.