Not having the military might of the US, the EU has tried to bolster its international political stature through the application of a policy of "soft power", whereby international policy objectives would primarily be pursued through a strategy of consensus, co-operation and partnership. The EU employs a range of "soft power" strategies to advance its foreign policy goals, including the provision of development and humanitarian aid, and is by far the largest provider of aid globally.
It should be noted that the US does not try to compete with the EU in this area. In practice, the EU has frequently employed "hard power" or coercive force, whether economic or military, to achieve its objectives.
The EU has regularly levered its economic strength to pressure less affluent states into adopting particular policies.
The past few years have also seen European planes deployed over Libya and French troops operating in Abidjan.
The Belgian Liberal Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck even claimed at a conference at Johns Hopkins University that the EU has been developing hard power.
However, she conceded that the EU still relied on the partnership of the US in such missions.
Ms Neyts-Uyttebroeck's comments appear to accurately capture a change in EU foreign policy.
In May 2013, the Secretary General of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, claimed that the EU could not have a credible foreign policy without the military means to back it up.
"We Europeans must understand that soft power alone is really no power at all. Without hard capabilities to back up its diplomacy, Europe will lack credibility and influence."
For many in Europe, the consensus appears to be growing that without the ability to conduct major military operations independently, Europe will not be taken seriously.
While "soft power", which the EU possesses in abundance given its status as the largest economic bloc in the world, might advance the stature of the EU in certain respects, it will not enable the EU to become a truly important player on the global stage without the military power to back it up.
According to Robert Cooper, who served as the EU Director-General for External and Politico-Military Affairs:
"Hard power and soft power are two sides of the same coin... Soft power is the velvet glove, but behind it there is always the iron fist".
It remains to be seen how far the EU is willing to proceed down the path of building up its armed forces.
Perhaps, more to the point, would the US accept the presence of a more aggressive EU taking the lead on issues of international importance in which it has an interest?
Justin Frewen is a Wanganui-based United Nations consultant who has served the UN on humanitarian missions for almost 20 years.
