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Despite Tony Blair’s declarations of support for the ESDP, his choices are clearly made within the context of British foreign policy as a whole, where priority is given to what can be seen as the illusion of British global influence. In the European defence field, Blair’s main concern is to avoid conflict of interest between the EU and NATO. However, although the Atlantic priority seems justified in British eyes (and surprises no-one within the European Union), Britain must today face up to the considerable and blatant weakening of its relations with the United States. The future of British foreign policy now depends on its commitment to the EU, and more precisely, its commitment to the one area where it can be said to have real influence : the elaboration and implementation of a true European defence policy.