[Column] EU should admonish less, and listen more, to the Global South

True, there’s a lot to worry about: Georgia Meloni ready to move on far right government in italyMember states aren’t sure whether they should open their arms to those fleeing Russia’s first mobilization since World War II and whether Vladimir Putin may be bluffing about his Ukraine war going nuclear.

Also sleepless nights across Europe are, inter alia, the energy crisis, rising inflationary pressures, increasing public anxiety over the end and fears of when and where the virus will strike again.

It is no surprise that EU policymakers are in a hurry to leave last week’s New York talk festival behind.

My advice? Do not do it.

If the EU really wants to move forward in a complex, complex and fiercely competitive world, it must move beyond the West-centered transatlantic frame and really engage with Global South.

This means sharing Europe’s knowledge, experience and wisdom with partners – but not lecturing and messing with them.

Sometimes, the people of the EU must listen and learn. Telling others what to do should no longer be considered part and parcel of being European.

Good advice welcome. But the EU’s constant finger-waving and morality is becoming unbearably repetitive and self-defeating. Most countries in the Global South see it as Eurocentric and neo-colonial.

French President Emmanuel Macron’s call to the United Nations for non-Western states stop sitting on the fence And leaving their “form of neutrality” in the Russo-Ukraine conflict is one such example.

The leaders of France, like others in Europe and America, believe that those who say they are non-aligned are wrong and “making a historical error”. He is right to voice his opinion. But it is wrong to scold him.

No one loves Putin and Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty has put many Asian and African leaders on the back.

But his decision to try and live out of defiance and demands to join the Western war effort is based on national interest, not whims.

Global South leaders do not want to be a pawn in a dangerous geopolitical ‘Great Game’ that they know threatens their nations. These arguments should be heard.

The inconvenient truth is that the EU’s “we know best” approach is causing outrage in many non-Western states, who complain about having babies.

According to the United Nations Development Program, an estimated 71 million people worldwide face poverty due to rising food and energy prices driven by conflict in Ukraine.

Small wonder then that developing countries want money being spent on war to be made available to tackle the effects of food insecurity, poverty, energy shortages and climate change.

New Cold War in Africa?

as Senegalese President Mackie Sallucurrent president of the african union Underlined“Africa is suffering greatly from the burden of history” and does not want to be “the breeding ground of the new Cold War”.

Asians are also wary of rising ideological tensions. with Southeast Asian nations Myanmar’s exceptionRemains reluctant to take sides – although Singapore has imposed unilateral sanctions of its own on Russia.

Importantly, China and India, for their “pro-Russian neutrality” at the international level, are now pressuring Russia to end the war and opt for democracy, diplomacy and dialogue.

There is also the strange question of double standards. Much of Europe’s legitimate concerns about human rights, democracy and the erosion of the rule of law around the world are being undermined by its failure to organize its home.

Rising racism, the growing popularity of Europe’s far-right parties, and now Meloni’s victory in the Italian elections, are making fun of Europe’s claims of a union of values ​​and equality.

EU leaders can hardly call out discrimination against minorities abroad if they are prepared to accommodate racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism at home.

words of europe Support for Iranian women If EU governments do not have a history of interfering in the dress choices of their Muslim female citizens, then opposition to the compulsory hijab will carry more weight.

The picture is not pretty on the energy front. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are starving for access to liquefied natural gas because of the European Union. huge appetite for the product To replace Russian energy.

There are also EU countries Development of offshore gas fields In Africa yet for export to Europe – much to the irritation of African leaders – stop development fund For gas investments on the continent.

The EU’s geopolitical profile has been raised by its tough stance on Russia and unity, increased defense spending and solidarity with Ukraine.

Staying relevant and credible in today’s challenging environment requires more than tough conversation and hard power. The EU must also accommodate, adapt and listen to the dilemmas and concerns of others.

Word of mouth is not enough for global solidarity. What is needed is empathy and humility, not old-fashioned Eurocentric arrogance.