Conference Program

The aim of the article will be to analyze the current debate on the reform of decision-making under the Common Foreign and Security Policy in the context of the planned enlargement. The subject of the analysis will be the political discourse of the main actors in the decision-making process in the field of reforms in the area of CFSP (both state actors: mainly Germany, France and selected countries) as well as institutional actors, i.e. the High Representative. It is assumed that the proposed directions of the reform of the EU CFSP, expressed in a departure from the current unanimity in favor of QMV, may mean increasing the coherence and effectiveness of this decision-making model, but at the same time may pose a challenge to national interests. The method of systemic analysis, discourse analysis and comparative method will be used.

The paper provides a small introduction to the Russia-Ukraine conflict giving some insights and provides context to the reader about the current situation, from the dawn of the taking of Crimea to the incursion in the Donbass region and the course of Russia’s special military operation. The purpose is that with help of polemology and neoclassical realism, the reader can understand the elements considered important for: a) the right to self defence, b) how has conflict changed since the start of this war and affected those involved, and c) the pertinence of Collective security in modern times using the mentioned war as an example. Mainly it will analyse the actors involved and their reaction to international & domestic stimulus. As a result it finds that collective security (NATO) no longer serves its purpose and instead contributes to conflict; some elements do give states rights to self defence in case of aggression but does not give Carte Blanche on how that may take place. And finally, shows how war has evolved in certain areas (drones instead of planes but maintains WW1 tactics like artillery duels).

Migration is an inherently political phenomenon, that is, thinking about migration is considering the State. Although many countries closed their borders after the pandemic, migration in Europe continued to increase. In this way, the topic that we will analyze is the migration of Africans to France, and the policy of the French government. This subject is relevant because the increase in African migration to France is due to many variables, for example: poverty, lack of education and job opportunities, civil wars, and environmental problems. In the case of France and African immigration, it must modify its immigration and asylum policies. However, France has two issues: pandemic control and refugee management. Recently, a change has been observed in French immigration policies caused by the growth of immigration and COVID-19, all reflected in various changes in its legislation. However, the French government has not shown favor for the human rights of immigrants and refugees. All of this contrasts with the various international human rights instruments and those of the European Union. For those reasons, this conference will discuss how the French State changed its immigration policies during and post-COVID-19 pandemic, its effects on the human rights of African immigrants and refugees, and how many variables exist in France to approve this legislation. Finally, another point that we are going to talk about in the conference is the national security debate between French domestic and foreign policy in contrast with the European Union.