French Foreign Policy And The EU's CFSP

This article examines some of the main phases of French activities within framework of the EU´s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Since the end of the Cold War the Fifth Republic has become obsessed with strengthening European political and military importance around the world. This was caused not only by the collapse of the bipolar world order, but also by France’s clear ambition to regain its global power status. In the twenty-first century, Paris was a main architect of the CFSP, however not all of its initiatives were successful. After the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, France continues to pursue its goal to obtain such a level of integration, which will ensure Europe’s place as a one of the most important pillars in the new multi-polar world order and France as a pillar within such a configuration.