For decades, the EU has been criticized for its inactivity in foreign and security policy, its sluggish responsiveness, and its cacophony in international crisis management. Authoritarian states often benefit from the disunity among the 27 member states. Important foreign policy decisions can be blocked by just one member state. As a result, the EU-27 is unable to act and the influence of third parties on Europe grows. This results in economic and political disadvantages for the Union, which can be associated with high costs.