Burrell’s emphasis on the need to increase the role of the European Union in the world arena

According to RCO News Agency, “Joseph Borrell” after five years of working as the head of the foreign policy of the European Union, which has been “full of ups and downs” according to AFP, after the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, he immediately started to put pressure on the Union. Europe fought to pay for the delivery of weapons to the warring European country, which was a longstanding red line for the Union.

In response, the entity submitted an offer worth 50 million euros ($53 million).

Burrell explained: I said, you know what we’re talking about? This is a war. Put a zero behind it.

He emphasized: This was an improvement in our behavior.

Since then, the EU has spent billions more on arming Ukraine and subjected Russia to unprecedented sanctions, despite repeated obstacles from EU countries such as Hungary.

According to AFP, while the Ukraine crisis has shown the EU’s willingness to act, on the other hand, the Gaza war has been the most painful part for Borrell.

Since the Israeli regime launched its devastating attack on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, the European Union has had no leverage to contain the suffering of the people there, as its member states are deeply divided over the war. Borrell said that the refusal of European countries supporting Tel Aviv to do more has damaged the EU’s image on the world stage.

The EU’s foreign policy chief noted: “My biggest frustration is that I can’t understand that a violation of international law is a violation of international law, no matter who does it.

He added: We became an actor in the war in Ukraine, but we have not been an actor in the Middle East.

According to AFP, Josep Borrell’s work is limited to how far member states are willing to go, and a simple statement can spark controversy for days. He has often angered EU capitals by going beyond agreed positions. He said: Someone must break the taboos. Agreed language often says nothing. We agree not to say anything.

Burrell further emphasized that this job needs more power. Because if change does not happen, Europe will not be a geopolitical actor.

He described his work as an “airplane propeller” that pressures member states into action. He insisted that the EU should simplify its decision-making process.

But some critics say that Burrell has not helped his record with numerous failures and some tactical mistakes. One of the low points of his tenure was his trip to Moscow in early 2021, when he was caught in a diplomatic ambush and failed to get Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov back.

He went on to mention the warm reception he received during his last visit to Ukraine, the gratitude of some Palestinians and the ability to help bring back hundreds of thousands of Europeans during the pandemic. The EU’s foreign policy chief reiterated his call for the EU to Learn the “language of power”.

He said: If Europe is not on the table, it will be on the menu. But this is still not clear to many people.

Josep Borrell is to be replaced by Kaia Kalas, the 47-year-old former prime minister of Estonia, who is expected to bring a more controlled style. Burrell noted: “He will do very well and be very happy and suffer less than I did.” I wish him the best.

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