EU Global Strategy Expert Opinion No.16 – Jakkie Cilliers

In the field of foreign and security policy the EU lacks policy coherence and punches significantly below its weight. The status quo is that member states take leadership on immediate crises, leaving longer-term strategy and foresight to Brussels.

To become a more coherent international actor in foreign policy and security matters, the EU needs to first define its priorities as well as how to engage. Overall, the EU needs to reassert its role as a normative actor and promote a rules-based global system.