The External Relations Of The European Community

As the programme to complete the internal marketnears fruition, it has become increasingly clear that it has had a dramatic impact on attitudes, operations and agendas not only within the Community itself but also on the rest of the world. The external face of the Community is now extremely important.

This development has been further fuelled by the spectacualr changes in Eastern and Central Europe and the growing impetus of moves towards economic, monetary and political union within the Community. Europe is now being reshaped and, as the queue for membership lengthens, the policies of the community towards the rest of Europe will play a critical role.

Beyond Europethe USA and Japan and te less powerful players in ASEAN, the Third World and Australasia must also pay even more attention to the Community. As Europe reclaims its central position in world affairs an analysis of the external relations of the European Community is both necessary and timely.