The EU's global strategy: more important than it seems after Brexit
(BRUXELLES2) The event went completely unnoticed in the Brexit storm. The '28' Heads of State and Government of the European Union adopted, on June 28, a new strategy for European foreign and security policy (abbreviated: 'Global Strategy') following Federica's proposal Mogherini (1). I say well to '28': it is not a question of a literary formula. David Cameron was there during this discussion but, it is true, he had his head a little elsewhere…
A document that comes at the end of a year of reflection
This document should not be overstated. It is only a reflection document, which synthesizes the political thought of the moment, after almost a year of various consultations. As we have already written, we have never seen an action triggered or prevented simply by a Strategy (read: A strategy does not make spring!). But it shouldn't be underestimated either. This document has significant symbolic and doctrinal value. It establishes the external doctrine of the European Union. It has an undeniable value for the various Member States which have been involved and consulted throughout the drafting of this document, whether at the level of national parliaments, governments or working groups within the Union. European.
More important today than yesterday
During the last revision, in 2008, the Heads of State and Government did not really manage to go beyond Solana's security strategy of 2003. Paradoxically, the day after Brexit, the Global Strategy took on a just as fundamental as its content. This document makes it possible to affirm in the eyes of all, the confidence of Europeans in their own model and to play a role in the world. It also brings to light key words that were previously rather taboo at European level: “strategic autonomy” (read: An autonomous Europe: the key word of the future Global Strategy), to have "autonomous capacities"...
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
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(1) To be exact, the document was not adopted but 'welcomed' by the European Council which thus thanked the High Representative of the EU for her work. From a legal point of view, the difference is to be noted. But, politically, it comes down to the same thing. The document is endorsed and becomes an official doctrine document of the European Union.
Read also our decryptions:
- Defense becomes priority number 1, speech is freed up, projects come out. Thanks David!
- A Global Strategy that almost did not see the light of day… at 28 *
- The new Global Strategy. To define the EU's foreign security policy *
- Mogherini presents to the 28… a Global Strategy for a “Stronger Europe” *
- Biscop, Tiilikainen, Nafaa. Three expert views on the Global Strategy *