Publications
Conceptually Defining “Global Strategic Partner(ship)”
By putting forward a theoretical and conceptual definition of strategic partnership, this working paper provides an assessment of the European Union’s global strategic partners and furthers the ENGAGE project’s objective of assisting the EU’s foreign policy by allowing a more structured engagement with other countries. The challenges faced by the EU are explored in the paper in terms of the relevant forms of cooperation and conflict between the EU, its Member States and their respective global strategic partners.
Citizen Perceptions on EU Security and Defence Integration: A Big Data-based Analysis
This paper studies public opinion of advancing EU integration with a specific focus on the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy between 2017 and 2022. Based in an analysis of all web-based news on security-related matters published during that timeframe, the paper finds that the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has accelerated trends in acceptability among the public of the EU’s increased role in security and defence.
The Evolution of Global Governance
This paper maps and analyses the evolution of global governance in key areas related to security, defence and intelligence through case studies over the past five to ten years. Its conclusions and observations are designed to help inform the EU’s engagement with key global and regional actors in the governance of the studied areas and global governance in general.
Developing Assessment Criteria for Security and Intelligence Cooperation in the EU
In the European Union, cooperation in security and intelligence matters has always been a significant challenge. To better understand the limits to more effective cooperation in the field, this working paper’s authors draw on interviews with current and former intelligence officials to propose a set of assessment criteria for security and intelligence cooperation at the EU level.
Developing Assessment Criteria for Defence Cooperation
This working paper proposes tools to enable consistent and high-quality evaluation of defence cooperation in the EU framework and among EU Member States. The criteria and metrics proposed can ultimately inform future attempts at defence cooperation in terms of best practices and those that should be avoided.
Unpacking National Parliamentary Perceptions of CSDP Operations, 2016-2021
This paper provides a first snapshot and comparison of national parliamentary perceptions of EU military and civilian operations that could be observed in the parliaments of 13 selected EU Member States during the years 2016 to 2021. The authors unpack national parliamentary perceptions of EU crisis management to contribute to better understandings of why the EU behaved the way it did and what this may imply for future EU crisis responses.
Closing or Widening the Gap? The Foreign Policy of EU Member States
This working paper maps and analyses the foreign policy of thirteen selected EU Member States with a focus on their present and long-term defence and security strategies. It concludes that gaps exist in the strategic thinking amongst Member States and between Member States and EU institutions, but that these divergences are not insurmountable obstacles to a deeper cooperation and a more coordinated EU external action.
The Current Legal Basis and Governance Structures of the EU’s External Action
This Working Paper explores the current legal basis and governance structures of the EU’s “external action plus”, meaning traditional external action areas like common commercial policy, sanctions policy, development cooperation and humanitarian aid, as well as the external dimension of some internal policy areas, including competition, health and environment.
Mapping the Current Legal Basis and Governance Structures of the EU’s CFSP
This Working Paper assesses the special legal nature of the CFSP and explores the legal possibilities to enhance decision-making procedures. It argues that current EU Treaties should not necessarily be amended to achieve better outcomes.
The Current Legal Basis and Governance Structures of the EU’s Defence Activities
This Working Paper explores the current legal basis and governance structures of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and other areas with defence implications, with a special focus on the so-called “sleeping beauties”.
Towards Effective, Coherent and Sustainable EU External Action: Laying the Ground for the ENGAGE White Paper
This working paper lays common ground for the ENGAGE project by putting forward shared definitions of the effectiveness, coherence and sustainability of the EU’s external action, as well as discussing the scope and content of the planned White Paper and its specific objectives.
Evaluating the National Acceptability of EU External Action: Conceptual Framework for the ENGAGE Project
In this ENGAGE working paper, the authors propose a conceptual framework for exploring how much Member States' acceptability of EU external action affects the EU’s capacity to act in the world.
Diversification of International Relations and the EU: Understanding the Challenges
ENGAGE’s first working paper presents and analyses six key drivers that might impact the European Union over the coming decades. The authors argue that their multiple combinations offer the EU opportunities to show leadership and shape international relations, despite the gravitational shift towards the Indo-Pacific.