Benefits of EU Membership

The EU's large market power allows it to exert significant international soft power. For example, the EU included trade and sustainable development chapters in the FTAs with South Korea, Canada and Japan. These chapters foresee binding obligations on labour rights and environmental protection enshrined in international agreements (e.g. the Conventions of the International Labour Organization). Secondly, coercive economic measures (e.g. sanctions against a third country) have more weight and effectiveness when they are adopted by the EU bloc rather than a few Member States.

The involvement of the EU framework and institutions in international matters has led to agreements that would have been more difficult to achieve if Member States were acting alone. This is the case of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or 'Iran deal', where the convening power and direct involvement of EU bodies have supported the three Member States directly involved. Regardless of the recent difficulties in implementation, the very fact that the JCPOA could be achieved in the first place owes to the action and perseverance of the EU, in close dialogue with other partners. Similarly, the Paris Agreement is an example of how Member States benefit from the involvement of the EU institutions and climate diplomacy to achieve common objectives at the global level.

The 'power of the bloc' helps EU countries achieve their respective objectives. This has been evident during Brexit negotiations, where Ireland's large negotiating power against the UK is due to the support of the EU.