The ESDP and the United Nations: A Perfect Couple?

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It may seem as though there is a contradiction between the German national ambition to become a permanent member of the United Nations’ Security Council and the European Union’s approach of closer coordination between the two organizations. This is, however, not the case if one accepts that a Union of 25 (and more)members needs a flexible approach towards organizing its relations with the UN. Using this as a basis, there is good reason to believe that the German goal to join France and the United Kingdom as a permanent member of the Security Council is compatible with the aim of creating a European core, the EU’s readiness to support UN operations, the national endeavors to contribute more to the UN’s stand-by system, and the special command arrangement SHIRBRIG. These factors, as well as the different forms of coordinated financial support, are likely to improve the efficiency and sustainability of UN operations.