In a relatively short time the European Union has become one of the worldampaposs most powerful and important bodies. Its critical role in international affairs extends to several different areas economics culture the environment and of course international security and foreign affairs. This important volume explains and evaluates EU foreign policy in all its confusing dimensions.Is there really any such thing as European Union Foreign Policy If so what is it What are its goals and priorities and how effective is it How do outsiders perceive EU foreign policy and what are the ramifications of those views Those are just some of the questions this book tries to answer.In order to draw the most comprehensive picture possible of EU foreign policy Federiga Bindi and her contributors dissect both horizontal and vertical issues. Vertical concerns focus on particular geographic regions such as the EUampaposs foreign policy toward Africa and Asia and its relations with the United States. Horizontal issues explore wider crosscutting themes that help explain the EUampaposs foreign policy choices and operations such as decisionmaking processes and procedures European selfidentity and core priorities such as peace democracy and human rights.ContentsForeword by Giuliano Amato former foreign minister and prime minister of ItalyPart I. The New Tools of EU Foreign PolicyII. USEU Relations after the ElectionsIII. EU Relations with the Rest of the AmericasIV. Africa and AsiaV. The EU and Its NeighborsVI. The EU the Mediterranean and the Middle EastVII. Promoting Values and Models AbroadVIII. Conclusions Assessing EU Foreign Policy