Historical significance of Germany, France and Belgium in the creation of the European Union

Abstract

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need to analyse the positive experience of European countries for its use in Ukraine’s foreign policy when participating in international associations, in relations with the member states of the European Union. The purpose of the study is to investigate the role of the foreign policies of Germany, France, and Belgium in the development of the European Union, and to conduct a thorough assessment of the results of such policies. To achieve this goal, such methods as dialectical materialism, factor discourse analysis, deduction and induction, analysis and synthesis, system analysis, structural and functional analysis, and the comparative method were used. The paper examines the goals and objectives, the role and place of three states: Germany, France, and Belgium in the history of the creation of the European Union. The interests of each of the states are characterised, the specifics of their national policy and its impact on the deepening of European integration are determined. The approaches of countries to the organisation of the European Union, their common and distinctive features are analysed. The specifics of relations between Germany, France, and Belgium in the process of their cooperation are determined. It is stated that these countries have become the leading initiators of deepening integration in Europe. The study shows that relations between France and Germany in the late 20th century became an example of cooperation in European security issues. It is established that France is the author of successfully implemented projects and approved laws and regulations in the European Union. It is noted that despite the small territory, Belgium exerted significant political influence, and the Benelux Union became an example of economic unification in the process of creating the European Union. The conclusions obtained contribute to solving practical issues related to the development of Ukraine’s own integration processes and the protection of its own interests in building foreign policy. The material can serve as a basis for the educational process in the training of political scientists, international specialists, and in the work on scientific literature

Keywords

• union
• foreign policy
• european integration
• international organisations
• influence