European unity during the civil war in Libya (2015-2020)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine how cohesively EU member states’ act in Libya. A timeline (2015-2020) is justified by the fact that the real political process for uniting the country torn apart by civil war has been launched in 2015. The degree of unity is demonstrated by the analyses of the four powerful and most active member-states’ (France, Italy, Great Britain and Germany) positions on Libyan. The author develops the hypothesis (previously used in his researches) on the EU states’ political and economic interests, which have a decisive influence and define the course of the EU countries and, consequently, the cohesion of the EU foreign policy. The “changes on the ground” and the intervention of third countries identify additional variables, which influence the unity in the EU. The method is based on comparative analysis, where content analysis and study of documents are supportive methods. In conclusion we confirm the influence of political and economic priorities on the EU's ability to pursue a coherent policy towards third countries. At the same time, both intervening variables - “changing the situation on the ground” and the role of third countries - can promote unity or lead to a split. In any case, the lack of unity, coupled with the activity of third countries, deteriorate the influence of Brussels and, according to some estimates, marginalize the European Union in Libya.