Like an club, things for members are different than for non-members. Having a common and agree set of rules makes it easier for the members and more difficult for non-members.
I would take issue with the notion of the EU having any geopolitical capabilities, though.
No disagreement on rules, but I don't see that as particular exclusionary in the sense that whenever people cooperate they do that under some set of rules anyway.
EU might have geopolitical aims, but not much capability, so I see Horizon as not very strong in that area, if at all.
> EU might have geopolitical aims, but not much capability, so I see Horizon as not very strong in that area, if at all.
The EU has quite some capacity to project power worldwide. Especially when it comes to trade and regulation. Surely not like the US or China, since it doesn't have it's own military. But much more than any of it's member states alone or other mid-sized countries like the UK.
Not that I can imagine it happening, but in a hypothetical where neither side had nukes how would a war between China and EU nations play out? Your comment seems to suggest that the combined militaries of EU states isn't a match, which isn't what I would have assumed but it's not an area I know anything about.
I would take issue with the notion of the EU having any geopolitical capabilities, though.