In December 2009, the EU showed its inadequacy as an international player to the world. Firstly, at the Copenhagen Climate Conference, the EU gave its power away to the USA, which stroke a deal with China, India, South Africa and Ethiopia. By preferring a deal with the US above the EU's original target, taking along developing countries (the G77) in the climate deals, the EU failed amazingly to support the G77. Secondly, Eritrea was sanctioned by the UN Security Council and its EU Members. Yet, in 2009 the EU initialed a €120 million for the next three years to this country, which the Human Rights Watch refers to as an ‘open-air prison'.

Furthermore, the Lisbon Treaty also entered into force in December 2009. When looking at the extended responsibilities of Andris Piebalgs (new Development Commissioner) and the appointment of a foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, the internal EU inconsistency could be solved by a new structure established by the Lisbon Treaty. This structure could lead to more coherent EU foreign and development policies establishing a strong alliance with developing countries. But are such hopes too high by the start of the New Year, the Lisbon Treaty and a new EU Commission?

Click here to read the full article in the European Voice by Mirjam van Reisen, director of EEPA.