This paper shall give an overview over the EU’s new European Peace Facility (EPF), briefly outline the current situation of German policy guidelines and involvement on the African continent, introduce the new opportunities European and German foreign policy makers gain with the EPF and take criticism towards the new EPF into consideration. Furthermore, it shall be discussed if and how the EPF works in accordance with the policy goals defined in the Marshall Plan with Africa.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Current situation and developments
II.1 The European Peace Facility
II.2 Germany’s Foreign Policy Project: The Marshall Plan with Africa
II.3 Actual German Foreign Policy in Africa and its motivation
III. Is the EPF in accordance with German and European Values and Policy Ambitions?
IV. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the implications of the European Union's newly established European Peace Facility (EPF) for German and European foreign policy, particularly concerning the African continent. It evaluates how this instrument shifts from traditional civilian-based approaches to a more active, militarily-capable engagement, while assessing its alignment with existing policy frameworks like the Marshall Plan with Africa.
- The transition of the European Union from a civilian power to a more militarily active actor.
- Critique of the EPF regarding oversight, lack of African Union involvement, and potential human rights concerns.
- The strategic motivations behind German and European foreign policy in Africa, focusing on migration and terrorism.
- A comparative analysis of the EPF against the policy goals defined in the Marshall Plan with Africa.
Excerpt from the Publication
II.1 The European Peace Facility
Initially proposed in 2017 by Federica Mogherini, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EPF is an off-budget fund allocating up to 5 billion Euros over the period of 2021 to 2027 to “finance external action having military or defence implications, under the Common Foreign and Security Policy, with the aim to prevent conflict, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability”. (Council of the European Union 2020b) It aims to lift existing limitations and to allow for more direct action of the EU in terms of peace and security missions, arms export and cooperation and coordination with governments and regional organizations. (European External Action Service (EEAS) 2020)
German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas, considers the EPF a “fundamental investment in peace and stability that will allow the EU and its partners to effectively and flexibly address international crises”. (Council of the European Union 2020b) The EPF’s new possibilities for “addressing” international crises marks a paradigm shift for EU and German foreign policy, stated Arnold Wallraff, former president of BAFA earlier this year. (Laghai and Kordes 2021) With the EU always having been a civilian Union, there is one particular change that surprised him. The EU has up until the implementation of the EPF always been restricted by Article 41(2) of the Treaty of the EU forbidding the use of budgetary resources for military or defence spending, with the idea of the EU being a peace project. (Furness and Bergmann 2018, p. 3) However, the new EPF allows to extend the European engagement from training and supporting local partners to even equipping them with military goods such as ammunition and weapons by financing transfers of armaments and further military equipment. (Hauk and Mutschler 2020, p. 2) The chair of the European Parliament (EP) Committee on Foreign Affairs, David McAllister, believes that this way the EU can react much faster and with more effective instruments to crises. There is no reason to be worried according to him, as the EU member states will control the European Arms export. (Ueberbach 2021)
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter introduces the shift in German and European foreign policy towards Africa, highlighting the transition from the African Peace Facility (APF) to the new European Peace Facility (EPF).
II. Current situation and developments: This section provides an overview of the EPF's structure, Germany's strategic interests in Africa as outlined in the Marshall Plan, and the evolution of Germany's traditionally "civilian" foreign policy.
III. Is the EPF in accordance with German and European Values and Policy Ambitions?: The chapter compares the EPF’s military focus with the developmental and cooperative goals of the Marshall Plan, critiquing the lack of oversight and African participation.
IV. Conclusion: The concluding section summarizes the challenges and potentials of the EPF, emphasizing the need for stricter human rights controls and improved coordination with African institutions.
Keywords
European Peace Facility, EPF, German Foreign Policy, African Union, Marshall Plan with Africa, Civilian Power, Military Engagement, Arms Export, Conflict Prevention, Migration, Terrorism, Development Policy, Human Rights, European Union, Security Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the establishment of the European Peace Facility (EPF) and its impact on the foreign policy of Germany and the European Union, specifically regarding their engagement and strategic goals in Africa.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The work covers the shift in EU security instruments, the role of Germany as a traditional civilian power, the objectives of the Marshall Plan with Africa, and the ethical and operational critiques surrounding the new EPF.
What is the main objective or research question of this study?
The primary aim is to analyze whether the European Peace Facility operates in alignment with the values and policy ambitions set out in the German Marshall Plan with Africa.
Which methodology is applied in this analysis?
The paper utilizes a qualitative document analysis, comparing official policy documents, EU agreements, and academic assessments to evaluate the strategic trajectory of European and German foreign policies.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section details the technical aspects of the EPF, the motivation of German policy makers—including combating migration and terrorism—and a comparative critique of how the EPF interacts with existing peace and development frameworks.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include European Peace Facility, German Foreign Policy, African Union, Civilian Power, and Military Engagement.
How does the EPF differ from the previous African Peace Facility?
Unlike the African Peace Facility, the EPF is an off-budget fund that allows the EU to finance military and defense-related activities, including the provision of ammunition and weapons to partner countries, bypassing some of the previous oversight mechanisms.
What is the main critique regarding the African Union's role in the EPF?
Critics argue that the EPF bypasses the African Union, which previously held significant oversight, potentially undermining the AU's legitimacy and the effectiveness of the integrated approach to peace and security.
Why is the "civilian power" status of Germany relevant to this discussion?
Germany has traditionally avoided military force, preferring multilateralism and economic cooperation; the EPF represents a paradigm shift that challenges this civilian identity by enabling more direct military engagement.
- Quote paper
- Gian D. Gantenbein (Author), 2021, How the EPF Might Invigorate Germany’s Ambitions in Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1022709
