Maritime Operation "ATALANTA" – the Example of the Effectiveness of the European Union Activities in Solving Problems of Think Failing States

A very rapid technological development at the turn of the 20th and 21th century, and the transition from an industrial society to an IT society marked even more the division of the “rich North” and “poor South”. Drastic differences in the distribution of world income have caused intensifi cation of old problems such as illegal immigration in many parts of the world, smuggling weapons, drugs, organised crime and terrorism as well as the emergence of new challenges related to the rapid development of so called “falling or failed states” especially in some parts of the world. Among the categories of countries in international political relations, increasingly often it can be found the category of “falling or failed state”, which is not in a position to operate internally as well as on the international scene. Problems that are related to the status of the bankruptcy of a state unfortunately are not problems of such a state only, but this is a challenge for the entire international community and international organizations. For this reason the European Union, as a signifi cant participant in world policies, cannot remain passive against these challenges and threats so it should and shall take actions to help in the stabilization of the situation in such countries. The primary question to be asked is whether this aid and other activities are effective with respect to the future of those countries or whether it is only the ad hoc attempt trying to control the situation.