Publication

The EU has defined multilateralism as a major goal for cooperation with its ten strategic partners. A deeper analysis of multilateral perceptions on global issues - such as development, trade, peace and climate - shows, however, that there is little ground for common positions or collective action at the international level. Consequently, the author proposes a three-step strategy for cooperation with the 'special ten': 1) focus on bilateral selectivity; 2) create minilateral alliances; and 3) create certain pockets of collective rule-based global governance with all strategic partners.