Book Review for the EU Towards the Global South During the COVID-19 Pandemic (edited by Dr Katarzyna Kołodziejczyk)

The European Union is one of the most important economic actors in international economics and traditionally the most significant humanitarian aid donor towards the countries of the so-called Global South (GS). Given its historical links (European colonialism), the EU maintains unique economic relations with many of the members of the GS under the umbrella of The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Admittedly, the COVID–19 Pandemic wreaked havoc and perturbations much worse than in many countries of the so-called Global North (GN) due to the GS’s economic, social and political characteristics/ difficulties. The authors look at important and interesting questions: Has the pandemic changed EU policy towards the countries of the Global South in terms of development cooperation and humanitarian aid? How effective were the actions undertaken by the EU in the fight against the pandemic in the countries of the Global South? How are the EU’s actions perceived by the countries of the Global South? Has the EU competed for influence in the countries of the Global South during the pandemic? Will the pandemic affect the evolution of the EU’s existing relations with the countries of the Global South?