A Global Strategy on foreign and security policy for the EU

Recognising dramatic changes in the EU’s security environment, at the June 2015 European Council, Member States' leaders approved a mandate for the EU High Representative to continue the process of strategic reflection with a view to preparing a global strategy on foreign and security policy, in close cooperation with Member States, to be submitted to the European Council by June 2016.

The strategic reflection about the EU's future Global Strategy is ongoing. The picture emerging from the discussions within the European foreign and security policy community, as well as the limited information provided by the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, suggests that the strategy will strive to promote and protect the interests of the EU and its citizens, in particular with regard to their security, prosperity and resilience. It will be structured around a set of assumptions and issues grouped in five priority areas:

+ strengthening global governance
+ supporting regional architectures
+ strengthening state and social resilience
+ rethinking the EU’s approach to conflict and crises
+ responding to the 'integration choice' of its near neighbours.

In April 2016, the European Parliament is expected to vote in plenary on an own-initiative report, 'The EU in a changing global environment', adopted by the Foreign Affairs Committee, intended as the EP's input to the definition of the Global Strategy.

Author: Patryk Pawlak

ESO: Key Source: European Union Global Strategy http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-union-global-strategy/

---