He High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Common is one of those positions in the European Union that is made by the man, or woman, who holds it. During the last five years, Joseph Borrell It has been a dissenting voice, a dissident, trying to reach compromises with twenty-seven, but always making its position clear, in one of the most difficult stages in the history of the bloc, with the countries largely united. but distant.
“His strengths have sometimes been his weaknesses,” recognizes a senior European diplomatic source, “he managed to create a real sense of unity, of family, of belonging to the Foreign Affairs Council. At the same time, many of its members they feared what he might say once outside the Council, intentionally or not.”
In his last public event last Thursday, Borrell was asked if the most frustrating thing about his mandate had been not being able to speak unless there was an unanimous position. Also if you didn’t get tired of the constant “you can’t say that” from your services. “I have spoken anyway,” snapped the former head of European diplomacy. between the laughter of those present. Because, indeed, Borrell has not remained silent.
“You cannot speak the language of power without unity,” acknowledged the former high representative, who was very harsh on European governments for their inability to give up vetoes. “If I have learned a lesson in this mandate, it is that it is urgent change the rules of the game,” Borrell defended in his last article in office. Aware that foreign and defense policy is and will be a national competence, he advocates, as he has done during these five years for seeking broad majorities.
And he defends himself. measure the words but be honest goes in office. “You have to tell the truth, although not the whole truth,” he argued, “but at some point you have to tell what there is or you lose credibility.” For some, Borrell has acted as what he is: a experienced politicianwho does not have to be accountable to any government, nor the need to please anyone because he is in charge. end of his career. “He has been strong and defended his values,” explains a diplomatic source.
Beyond the outbursts – such as that comparison between the European “garden” and “the jungle” beyond our borders, Borrell’s speech is always bluntbut it is often his calm that gives strength to what he says. The former head of European diplomacy develops no problems in both English and French. But when he wants the message to be clear, to be understood, he measures his words, and switches to Spanish. And often, he makes use of Spanish proverb to analyze international news.
Guarantor of unity against Russia
For some, his outbursts have diminished the EU’s voice in the world, undermining its credibility; for others, they have saved European honor. A community diplomat, in conversations with EL PERIÓDICO, accuses him of “lack of leadership” and describes his mandate as “chaotic”. He adds that although the intentions have largely been good and the analysis sober and sharp, sometimes it was “far from reality.”
Full of controversy, its beginnings were difficult and expectations were low. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine put to the test to a Borrell who is much more comfortable in other spheres but who has dedicated himself tirelessly to guarantee that aid to kyiv would not cease. He has also done so by searching for formulas to bypass the hungarian veto to a good part of these measures in these almost three years of war.
Diplomatic sources regret that he recognized “very late” the Russian threat. Few forget Sergei Lavrov’s rudeness in 2021, when, in response to Borrell’s complaint about the imprisonment of Alekséi Navalny, the Russian Foreign Minister compared his situation with that of the Catalan independence politicians. “It started badly“, acknowledges a European diplomat, “but it ends well.”
Diplomatic sources also highlight their tireless work “in each of the Councils of Ministers” to carry out aid and sanctions packages. In a matter of months, the EU took decisions that until now had been taboo, such as imposing sanctions to Russian oil or directly finance the purchase of weapons to strengthen the defense of the Ukrainian army.
In total, the EU has mobilized more than 45 billion euros in military aid to strengthen the Ukrainian Army, has launched a plan to accelerate the ammunition production to meet kyiv’s needs, and has trained more than 64,000 soldiers on European soil. It has also adopted a dozen packages of sanctions against individuals and companies that contribute to the war machinery. “The war in Ukraine, or against Ukraine, has served as a catalyst,” acknowledged Borrell, who is aware that there is still much to do.
The heart in Gaza
It is no secret that your greatest concern It’s Gaza. “What is happening goes beyond what Europe can accept,” Borrell said during that last talk, “it is a open wound for humanity.” For Spaniards, it is not enough to call for respect for international law, we must condemn rape. Failure to do so, he warns, will have consequences for the reputation of the EU y its influence on the global scene.
In that last article before his departure, Borrell denounces that it has been the division between the Twenty-seven which has made it impossible to have any type of influence to achieve a cease-firethe release of the hostages and respect for international law, despite the death of thousands of civilians. “Impotence and passivity, in contrast to the vigor of our commitment to support Ukraine have often been perceived outside the Union as a double standard symbol“Borrell lamented, as if for Europeans the Palestinian lives They will not count the same as the Ukrainian ones.
Borrell’s latest speeches within the Council regarding Israel and the Government of Benjamin Netanyahu They have been very hard. The head of European diplomacy has been the strongest voice against the indiscriminate bombing campaign in Gaza, in the face of warm calls respect for international law, for example, of the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. “Borrell is the only one who stands up to him,” diplomatic sources assured.
For some countries, their position regarding the situation in the Middle East does not reflect the feeling of the whole of EU countries. “The way in which he has managed the conflict in the Middle East after the October 7 attacks is biased,” a senior diplomatic source assured EL PERIÓDICO, “the public statements have not always fully reflected thethe debates among the ministers.
While some accuse him of going too far with his words and putting proposals on the table that “were doomed to fail,” such as suspend the cooperation agreement with Israel, others consider that it has saved the honor of the EU and its credibility. “Many delegations are going to miss him,” adds another diplomat from southern Europe. “Borrell has been a High Representative brave and committed“, assured a high European diplomatic source, “he has defended the values and interests of the EU with consistency”, although yes, “with a certain Mediterranean attitude regarding punctuality”, he joked.
The feeling is that despite the tone outputs and some skidBorrell has been the first real boss of European diplomacy, giving sufficient and measured attention to all regions of the world. His approaches to Latin America, Asia, and his deep knowledge of the Middle East, added to his efforts to ensure support for Ukraine against Russia, they are not forgotten.
“The position of High Representative and Vice President is a hard and thankless job,” acknowledges a senior diplomat, “you have to navigate the more complex crises with a mandate that is not always clear. You have to represent the EU outside, while maintaining the unit inside”, he adds. All this, in a jinter-institutional game of egos. Borrell has known how to handle it. “He has, without a doubt, done a good job,” he adds.
Among some countries, it is no secret, there is concern that her successor in office, former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, is not up to the challenge, in a world in which relations with countries beyond the sphere of direct influence of the European Union are most important than ever. Others consider that a change is always good and hope that the arrival of Kallas will bring a new dynamism to the club.
