Goals and motives of the European Union as a norm entrepreneur.

The European Unionis one of the key promoters of universal principles and ethical norms in the world, acting as a normative power. The article reveals theessence of foreign policy goals, intentions and motives of the EU as a norm entrepreneur. Its author examines the typology of foreign policygoals, discloses the notion of milieu goals and possession goals, and then proceeds to the analyses of European normative aims.Fundamental values that form normative image of the Union are concretized in the article and their significance for the essence of Europeanforeign policy is generalized. Key goals of the European Union, according to the author, are the intention to reproduce itself, to civilize anddomesticate international relations, to transform the milieu in post-modern direction. The strategy of civilizing international relationsinvolves introduction the sense of shared responsibility, support for the principles of multilateralism, strengthening the rule of law anddemocratic decision-making, general progress of humanity towards sustainable peace, gradual transfer of the elements of nationalsovereignty to supranational institutions, development of international and cosmopolitan law etc.Together with constructivist approach, the article considers some aspects of rationalist interpretation of the EUs foreign policy goalswhich emphasizes instrumental application of norms to provide pragmatic interests of the EU. Taking both approaches into consideration, theauthor examines the interdependence of normative and pragmatic goals and believes that material and ethical interests always intertwine inreal foreign policy practice. Policy of the EU aimed to defend human rights, being ethical, can simultaneously have instrumental elements.Altruistic actions of the EU to diffuse international values can at the same time strengthen economic positions of the European Union, meetits political interests, and reinforce its security. An attempt to make clear distinctions between pragmatism and altruism is one of the mainmistakes in experts analyses. Such a distinction doesnt exist.The author comes to a conclusion that none of the existing theoretical approaches taken separately can give a full and objectiveexplanation of the European foreign policy goals. On the one hand, the arguments of constructivists about normative character of the EUspolicy based on universal humanitarian values are supported in the article. The European Union as a post-Westphalian entity is mostsuccessful in implementing ethical goals. This fact doesnt mean that economic and strategic motives dont play their role in the formulationof European foreign policy. The author doesnt deny that the policy of the EU can be influenced by utility logic. Thereby, a combination ofdifferent theoretical approaches can give more space for the development of a more balanced discussion about global role of the EU.

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