The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, stated that the post-Cold War international order no longer exists, and America has lost its dominant position. During a lecture in Britain, Borrell remarked, “The international system we lived in after the Cold War is gone, America has lost its dominant position, and the global order that emerged after 1945 is losing momentum as we witness China’s rise to a superpower.”
He added, “This is not good, and against this backdrop, the roles of the European Union and the United Kingdom must be defined. However, it will depend on how we respond to increasing threats… This is urgent as we hear warnings that Europe could become extinct.” Borrell also mentioned that there is no unity among EU countries regarding policy towards Russia, with some considering it a good friend.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, has been vocal about various global issues throughout 2024. He has expressed concerns about the shifting dynamics of the international order, mentioning the decline of American dominance and the rise of China as a superpower. Borrell highlighted that the post-Cold War global system is no longer effective and emphasized the need for the EU and the UK to define their roles in this new era, especially in response to emerging global threats.
Moreover, Borrell has criticized the United States for its approach towards the conflict in Gaza, particularly calling out the contradiction of lamenting civilian deaths while continuing arms supplies to Israel. He stressed the importance of the international community reconsidering their stance on providing military support if they truly believe too many people are being killed.
In another instance, Borrell spoke at the EU-Indo Pacific summit about the perceived double standards by the EU in handling the situations in Ukraine and Gaza. This, he noted, could potentially jeopardize the EU’s relations with various global partners, reflecting a growing concern over the EU’s consistency in upholding international law.
