Although the EU is an organisation that has been active for well over half a century, its approach to the international scene has undergone several changes. Many times, the EU has alternated between moments of strong presence on the international scene and mo- ments in which its presence was decidedly more marginal, often determined by the individualism of its MS or by the opposition of other international actors. This has led to a discrepancy in the academic perception of the EU. Some scholars recognise a decisive European influence on all current international developments. Other academics believe that the power of the EU is merely superficial and that the EU does not affect the national and international superpowers in an incisive way.