Newsletter No. 1 | November 2021

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Dear Reader,   The coherence and effectiveness of the EU’s foreign policy depends upon the Union's ability to reconcile Member States’ interests and to harness the multiple tools at its disposal in a joined-up fashion. Over the past eleven months, the ENGAGE consortium has been working to advance strategic thinking on EU external action. Spanning thirteen academic institutions and think tanks across the EU, the UK and Turkey, we aim to provide policymakers with recommendations for improving the capacities and capabilities of the EU’s external action. As the project lead of ENGAGE, I am proud to present to you our first newsletter, showcasing the work of the project and of our partners. Over the coming months and years, we are looking forward to regularly sharing our work through this newsletter. If you want to stay up-to-date with the ENGAGE project, please also consider following us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and keep an eye on our website.   Enjoy the read! Angel Saz-Carranza Our Recent Publications and Events Diversification of International Relations and the EU   Six key drivers that will impact the European Union over the coming decades offer the EU opportunities to show leadership and shape international relations, despite the gravitational shift towards the Indo-Pacific region. Evaluating the National Acceptability of EU External Action The authors propose a conceptual framework for exploring how much the acceptability of EU external action to EU Member States affects the EU’s capacity to act in the world. The Europe Angela Merkel Leaves Behind Chancellor Merkel’s last official visit to the White House holds a special political significance. President Biden has placed human rights and rule of law at the top of his agenda, just as these values are under attack from within and outside Europe. Nord Stream 2 is Germany’s – and Europe’s – Achilles’ Heel The completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline deals Russia several cards that weaken Germany, divide Europe and blackmail Ukraine. If the EU is to engage globally, it must stop serving as Moscow’s playground. A New Governance Architecture for a Global Europe? Global governance, multilateralism and the rules-based international order are under pressure. The European Union faces an international landscape in flux, dominated by global competition, technological changes, shifting norms and new security threats. At this crucial juncture, where the EU must confront these internal and external challenges, the ENGAGE project kicks off its work to help address them. Next to convening all consortium partners, the event features remarks by Josep Borrell Fontelles, Javier Solana and Rosa Balfour. Watch Recordings Our Partners’ Publications and Events 16 November 2021 | Virtual Event Esade Business & Law School   Two-part virtual event organised by EsadeGeo and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the EU’s role in a world of great power competition. Watch here   8 November 2021 | Article Carnegie Europe Foundation   In the aftermath of the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan war, who stands to win or lose from new infrastructure construction projects in the South Caucasus? Read here   29 October 2021 | Op-Ed Carnegie Europe Foundation   In light of the current global semiconductor shortage, the EU should not focus on chip sovereignty, but rather on finding common ground with other states and commercial players. Read Here   28 October 2021 | Virtual Event Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies   The roundtable explored how the AUKUS deal impacts the transatlantic relationship, the EU’s quest for strategic autonomy and its strategy towards the Indo-Pacific.   Watch Here   14 October 2021 | Commentary Carnegie Europe Foundation   The EU needs to assert its legal authority over Poland and other member states that challenge the rule of law and the EU’s treaty itself. Read Here   8 September 2021 | Publication Carnegie Europe Foundation   The next German government should overcome its nuclear myopia and develop a coherent and comprehensive approach to the entire region. Read Here   26 August 2021 | Op-Ed Esade Business & Law School   In the context of rising Sino-American tensions, Javier Solana reflects on the EU’s strengths, its sources of power and its role as a global actor. Read Here   11 June 2021 | Op-Ed Esade Business & Law School   Angel Saz-Carranza and Óscar Fernández share their thoughts on Biden’s first foreign trip to Europe, EU-US relations and where to go from here. Read Here   17 May 2021 | Book Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques   Does Europe have an identity? What is the purpose of the EU? Is Europe a superpower? Does the Old Continent have a future? Read Here   11 May 2021 | Journal Article The University of Edinburgh & Hertie School This open-access article analyses why the EU and the UK did not reach a post-Brexit security agreement, despite both sides insisting that it was desirable. Read Here   6 May 2021 | Op-Ed Esade Business & Law School   As the advisory board chair of ENGAGE, Javier Solana offers reflections on revamping the EU’s external action: the foundation already exists, but we need a renewed vision and resolute action. Read Here   21 January 2021 | Book Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies   This book presents the law of EU external relations in a concise and accessible manner for students, practitioners, and academics in the field. Read Here