Conclusion. Valuing Principles in European Union Foreign Policy

The chapter summarises the book's results through a discussion of the values, images and principles in EU foreign policy that have been analysed throughout the book. The conclusion provides an opportunity to bring together the comparative findings of our study by reflecting on the project as a whole, the values and principles of EU foreign policy, the way in which these principles are implemented, as well as some of the theoretical insights into the EU and Europeans’ identities. What is clear is that we have seen evidence of several identifiable ways in which principles are put into practice in EU foreign policy. These include the institutionalisation of principles, the role of regulation, use of structural prevention, inclusion of civil society, working through partnership, the problems of consistency, and concerns for double standards. In the conclusion, we argue that the EU values principles in the conduct of foreign policy, but equally importantly, that the conduct of these policies plays a significant role in shaping both policy and EU identity.