European Union foreign, security, and defence policies : solidarity or separation?

Abstract

Today the EU faces the most complicated and uncertain security environment it has seen in decades: a newly assertive Russia looms to the east, an arc of instability extends across the EU’s periphery from North Africa to the Middle East, and the United States seems to be retreating from its global leadership role, including in the defence of Europe. This session reviews how the EU has responded to this complex set of challenges, both at the national and the regional level. It examines to what extent the principle of solidarity has influenced EU foreign and security policy, and whether the current security environment has led to more solidarity or produced greater division among EU member states. The session also evaluates the prospects for building more effective foreign policy and defence instruments and capabilities, especially in the wake of the recent French and German national elections.