International community aims for EU to play a more significant role in global discussions

In an interview by Sina Wollgramm at AMS, Andreas Marchetti, the Director of politglott and a University lecturer, highlighted the importance of the European Union (EU) developing a shared vision for the future and improving its strategic foresight to respond to both known and future threats.

Luis Norberto González Alonso, an Associate Professor of Public International Law and European Law, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to protect the EU's model and way of understanding the world, society, and economic relations.

The European Commission is taking steps to upgrade its external action toolkit with the new 'Global Europe' instrument in its next seven-year budget. This instrument will fund initiatives through international organizations in areas such as counter-terrorism, health, cybersecurity, disinformation, and international climate action, to the tune of €14.9 billion.

Jenny Raflik, Professor of contemporary history at the University of Nantes, noted that the EU often struggles to maintain unity on key issues due to negotiations for individual interests. However, she emphasized the need to choose issues on which the EU can truly be united and move forward.

Triantafyllos Karatrantos, a Senior Research Fellow at ELIAMEP, suggested that pockets of resistance within the EU, such as Viktor Orbán and Hungary, can be brought into alignment by focusing on areas where unity is easier to achieve. He also pointed out that the EU's size and stability are less than during the post-war period, making it difficult to forge its own path if member states fail to overcome their differences.

Charles Goerens, a Member of the European Parliament from Luxembourg, stated that the EU needs to remain true to its values and exert greater economic and military influence to succeed internationally. He emphasized the need to protect the EU's model and way of understanding the world, society, and economic relations.

The EU's inability to speak with a single, strong voice is a challenge, as it requires member states to reach unanimous agreement on foreign and security policy matters, with a few exceptions. However, the slow progression of the 27 member states towards increased unity, particularly when faced with the same threats, offers a glimmer of hope.

The EU also plans to continue boosting its investment in the defense industry to support the sector in the 27 member states and enhance EU-wide military mobility and infrastructure. €100 billion of the €200.3 billion budget will be allocated to supporting Ukraine.

In conclusion, the EU is at a critical juncture. The need for a shared vision, strategic foresight, and unity is more important than ever. As the world prioritizes power politics over the rules-based order, the EU must strengthen its position and exert greater influence to protect its values and way of life.

This article was authored by Hermine Donceel for Euranet Plus News Agency.

International community aims for EU to play a more significant role in global discussions