European Strategy Research Articles

Exchange of knowledge and the consolidation of culture for contamination management: Introduction to the RemTech Europe 2022 Special Series.

The urgency of protecting ecosystems and their recovery from contamination has been highlighted in several recent European strategies because Europe's biodiversity and landscapes are declining rapidly due to different human pressures. Despite the existence of EU and national laws addressing environmental contamination, practical procedures are often missing. For example, competent authorities must deal promptly and effectively with environmental accidents, noncompliance, and criminal offenses but relevant tools that facilitate these processes are often lacking. For example, thorough planning is crucial for effective investigation and assessment to improve environmental damage assessments in line with the European Environmental Liability Directive (ELD, 2004/35/EC). With regard to soils, a specific European legislation for their protection, the European Soil Monitoring Law, is currently being developed. However, it is crucial that this law bridges the gaps between existing chemical regulations and that it aligns with current European strategies for environmental protection and sustainability. Continuous feedback of soil monitoring results to regulatory frameworks will be essential. This feedback loop ensures that chemical regulations are relevant and effective in protecting soil health. In this context, development and sharing of effective and practical procedures for recovering ecosystems from contamination are crucial. This was the case at the RemTech Europe meeting, which was held online and onsite in Ferrara, Italy, in September 2022. The discussion covered all aspects of environmental contaminants. It ranged from the basic understanding of these contaminants to the various types that pose a threat to organisms, studies of their environmental fate, detection methods, and sustainable practices for contaminant management. The special series dedicated to RemTech Europe 2022 is particularly relevant to these purposes and resulted in six articles that were selected from oral presentations. The articles emphasize the need for integrated approaches to risk management and remediation to address the problems of soil, sediment, and groundwater contamination. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-5. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Expanding European protected areas through rewilding

Rewilding seeks to address biodiversity loss by restoring trophic interactions and fostering self-regulating ecosystems. Although gaining traction in Europe and North America, the extent to which rewilding can meet post-2020 protected-area targets remains uncertain. We formulated criteria to map suitable areas for rewilding by identifying large tracts of land with minimal human disturbances and the presence of key mammal species. We find that one-quarter of Europe, approximately 117 million hectares (ha), is compatible with our rewilding criteria. Of these, 70% are in cooler climates. Passive rewilding opportunities, focused on managing existing wilderness, are predominant in Scandinavia, Scotland, the Iberian Peninsula, and notably in the Baltic states, Ireland, and southeastern Europe. Active rewilding opportunities, marked by reintroduction of absent trophic guilds, are identified in Corsica, Sardinia, southern France, and parts of the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Our mapping supports European nations in leveraging land abandonment to expand areas for nature conservation, aligning with the European Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Nevertheless, countries with limited potential for rewilding should consider alternative conservation strategies.

THOUGHTS ON THE EU'S EMPLOYMENT POLICY, OR IS THE ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RELEGATED TO THE BACKGROUND?!

In terms of European public administration, we can certainly talk about a specific and perhaps unfairly rarely spotlighted topic, which may be mainly behind it. That with regard to employment policy, the Union primarily transfers responsibility and authority to the governments of the member states, the common legislation emerging in this area is also of extreme importance.The objectives of the European employment strategy defined in the field of the common employment policy go back to 1997, which implemented "soft coordination" between the member states through the elaborated follow-up process and financing instruments. The most important objective of Europe 2020 was to improve the number and quality of jobs. Among the goals to be achieved by 2030, the focus is placed on the area of skills and social protection (EU Briefings on employment policy).

Achieving structural heterogeneity and high multi-taxon biodiversity in managed forest ecosystems: a European review

AbstractThe European Biodiversity Strategy has set the key goal to maintain and promote biodiversity. Managed forests here play a key role, as they are among the most diverse ecosystems. To create biodiversity rich managed forest landscapes, we need a deep understanding on how management affects forest structure and subsequently habitat quality on the local and landscape level. However, to date a confusingly large amount of different terms for various management systems exist and it remains unclear how forest structure and composition affected by specific management systems affect biodiversity. Here, we first aim to clarify forest management systems terminology. Second, we link existing management systems with forest structure and review at European level how these structures affect local α-, as well as landscape-scale β- and γ-biodiversity. We found that research and derived management guidelines have a strong focus on local forest stand heterogeneity and related α-diversity, while ignoring the importance of landscape-scale heterogeneity and therefore β- and γ-diversity. Instead of promoting one management system as an all-in-one-solution, a diversity of different forest management systems seems the most promising way to create biodiversity rich forest landscapes. We finally discuss how a combination of different management systems might help to create structurally rich forest habitats and landscapes, simulating different successional stages and promoting species rich communities.

“It's very much part of this movement to undermine democracy”: A qualitative study of European Union level opposition strategies against reproductive health and rights

Despite increasing contestations of agreed global commitments on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), our understanding of strategies of opposition in global health policymaking remains limited. This article explores the opposition to SRHR at the European level focusing on the decision-making institutions of the European Union (EU). The central research questions ask i) how SRHR opposition actors seek to influence EU institutions and ii) what challenges their actions pose for health policymaking at the EU level. Our empirical focus is based on the qualitative method of framework analysis, with data collected from multiple sources, including documentary data on European Parliamentary debates, Council conclusions of the European Union, reports of nongovernmental organisations, and key informant interviews. Our study is in line with observations on globally coordinated efforts to restrict access to SRH services. This is a challenge for specific forums and countries, but as well for European Union's wider internal and external policies. We present a toolbox of strategies and actors operational at the European Union level. Our findings on opposition to SRHR indicate that it can be seen as a political tool that is part of a broader anti-democratic movement. Understanding strategies of anti-SRHR opposition is important for health policymakers as it shapes debates and the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC).

Central European strategies in the new Cold War: between balancing and bandwagoning

This article argues that the security of Central Europe – defined as stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black See–is based first and foremost on the viability and engagement of the Western alliance, understood as NATO and the European Union. The security and defense policies in the region are designed in relation to NATO and bilateral relations with the United States, with limited attempts to achieve some degree of self-sufficiency. Therefore, to understand the security of Central Europe and its individual nations, it is essential to understand their attitudes and fears related to alliances as well as their perceptions of Russia’s intentions. It is posited here that the concept that can best explain the behavior of the nations of the region, allowing also for forecasting future behavior, is the balance of threat theory, as put forward by Stephen Walt. According to the theory, the nations facing threat chose to either balance the threatening power by joining forces with other actors and forming alliances or joining in with their predator, which constitutes a bandwagoning behavior. Historically, especially during the interwar period, these strategies have been employed by Central European nations. Today, the security environment is arguably very different– we have NATO, EU, and American engagement in the region. However, the international environment has deteriorated recently, especially since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Arguably, Central European states have responded by falling, to some extent, into patterns of behavior familiar from the past, with some clinging to closer relations with their external patron (the United States) and some hedging their bets and opting for relative neutrality or even closer relations with Russia. The article argues that four factors determine states’ behavior vis-à-vis the Russian threat: geography, history, predator intentions, and the perception of allied reliability.

María Félix in Italy

ABSTRACT By the end of 1940s the Mexican film star, María Félix, had risen to the status of living legend at home and piqued the attention of filmmakers abroad. While her participation in Spanish and French productions has been studied, her performances in films produced in Italy, Incantesimo tragico (Dir. Mario Sequi, 1951) and Messalina (Dir. Carmine Gallone), have received less critical analysis. Building on scholarship about the regional and international reverberations of Mexican Golden Age cinema, studies on transnational stardom, as well as star theory, this article reveals how Felix’s projects in Italy constituted transnational experiments within a broader Southern European postwar strategy to counter Hollywood’s market dominance. In contradistinction to her Spanish and French films in which Félix was cast as a foreigner, in Italy Félix played Italian characters. Close film analysis illustrates how to varying degrees, Félix’s roles in Italy engaged her preestablished type known as the mujer sin alma (woman without a soul), and the examination of archival materials shows how the Italian popular press blended Félix’s onscreen characters with the actress off screen. Ultimately, Félix clashed with the ideals of postwar Italian female stardom and was met with an ambivalent financial and critical reception.

IS ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE CONTRIBUTING TO ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY? A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS USING A GLOBAL DATASET

The European Green Deal strategy aims to decarbonize the EU economy and achieve ambitious sustainability goals. By evaluating and promoting environmentally sound development practices, the EU strives to lead by example and inspire global efforts towards a sustainable future. Moreover, The EU and OECD countries, alongside international frameworks, are committed to supporting vulnerable nations and advancing sustainable development worldwide. Through collaborative efforts and innovative policies, the EU and OECD aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change and pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable world. Analyzing the ecological sustainability of development patterns within the EU is integral to enhancing the EU's initiatives under the European Green Deal. In the opinion of the present study, the feasibility of European Green Deal needs further assessment from the perspective of a cost – benefits analysis, as the methodology employed in computing the costs involved raises several questions. This study underlines the multiple dimensions of environmental quality and proposes a methodology for building an aggregated index of environmental degradation. Subsequent analysis uses structural equations framework to investigate the impact of economic performance on environmental degradation index. Results are in line with previous findings in the field. Thus, present research has documented a positive and statistically significant impact of economic performances at macroeconomic level on the environmental degradation index. However, we also have shown that, while economic activity can contribute to environmental degradation, it can also drive positive environmental outcomes through technological innovation, investment in environmental protection, improved policies, sustainable consumption and production, creation of green jobs, and increased education and awareness. Thus, we have shown that, from a policy perspective, it is important to harness economic growth in ways that promote sustainability and environmental quality.

Analysis of Digital Skills in European Union Countries with IQRBOW-Based Multi-Moora Approach

This study aims to examine the digitalization levels of European countries from the perspective of individuals' digital skills. It aims to fill a gap in the literature by emphasizing the importance of the human element, which is the main component in digitalization processes. Based on the Digital Skills Indicator data published by Eurostat, components such as ICT users, ICT specialists and ICT training included in the analysis. IQRBOW-based Multi-MOORA approach is applied in the study. This unique methodology has increased the validity of the analysis results by providing more economical and reliable weighting in multi-criteria decision-making problems. Based on 28 sub-criteria, a comprehensive assessment was carried out and 36 countries were compared. The findings of the analysis revealed that Finland ranked highest in terms of digital skills, while Romania ranked last. The results allow for a review of the European Union's digitalization strategies and recommendations for policymakers.

Public perception and acceptance of CCUS: preliminary findings of a qualitative case study in Greece.

The development and implementation of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies plays an increasingly important part in European Union (EU) countries' decarbonisation policies and strategies. Several studies have shown the important role social acceptance plays in determining the outcomes of CCUS projects and how social acceptance is shaped by the national and local contexts. Yet most studies on CCUS and social acceptance have focused on a few northern European countries despite the increasing numbers of CCUS projects across the European Union. This study seeks to help address this gap by conducting a case study on how local dynamics shaped people's acceptance and awareness of CCUS in two separate Greek communities. Based on semi-structured interviews with community members near a CCUS pilot plant, and a focus group with community members from a potential storage site, this single case study explores the factors and dynamics that shaped the participants' perceptions of CCUS technologies. Our findings indicate that, despite the low level of awareness of CCUS technologies, participants could draw on their situated knowledge to identify potential drawbacks with their application. We identified scepticism regarding the adoption of new technologies and the organisations involved based on past experiences, and a notable lack of provision of technology and location-specific information as well as public engagement by the project consortium. Our recommendations for future projects and community engagement include the early involvement of the public in project development, location-based transparent information, appropriate channels to facilitate knowledge exchange, and educational initiatives to build communities' capability to influence projects.

Disability in EU’s institutional discourse

Abstract During the last decades, disability policy has undergone considerable changes at European level, evolving from a disregarded branch of social policy to an essential area centered on equal rights and non-discrimination. In this context, terminology and definitions have proved to be of pivotal importance since they can bear and impose more or less appropriate theoretical perspectives, depending on the prevailing ideologies within society in different historical periods (Priestley 2007). Drawing on the assumption that the way disability is linguistically and discursively construed at institutional level has a crucial effect on how it is experienced, the activities of supra-national institutions appear all the more central to how disability is structured in relation to social policy, change, and politics. Within the context of the EU, the European Commission seems particularly relevant since it plays a major role in policy development. In fact, although the Parliament can amend or veto legislative acts, only the Commission can propose new legislation. This study concentrates on disability-related legislation and strategies – which increasingly shape the lives of about 87 million disabled people estimated to live in Europe – by investigating how disability is framed in the EU’s institutional discourse. Linguistic (qualitative and quantitative) analysis of two of the most recent documents issued by the European Commission (namely the European Disability Strategy 2010–2020 and the European Disability Strategy 2021–2030) is meant to explore the main principles through which disability is theorised and construed in relation to the dominant ideological system of beliefs and values (Drake 1999; Grue 2020). Against the backdrop of previous research (Waldschmidt 2009) which took into account EU disability-related documents over a time-span ranging from 1958 to 2005, this paper seeks to shed light on the way discourses about disability are created and perpetuated, to be then translated into policy outcomes in the last decades and the years to come.

EU Macro-Regional Strategy in the Adriatic and Ionian Region: A Territorial Perspective on the EU Enlargement Policy

ABSTRACT Policies of territorial cooperation, including macro-regional strategies, have been a crucial component in the making of the EU space, and constitute an element of the approach adopted by the Union towards its neighbouring countries. Based on the results of in-depth interviews with 37 stakeholders from different countries and EU institutions, the article explores the potentialities and limits of the European Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) to contribute to the EU enlargement towards the Western Balkan countries. Despite the limits that still hinder the full potential of the strategy, we argue that a de-centred perspective may contribute to overcoming the stalemate of the enlargement process, as long as the potentiality of a territorial approach is fully recognized and boosted.

Food waste reduction, corporate responsibility and national policies: evidence from Europe

PurposeThis paper investigates strategies for addressing the global challenge of food loss and waste (FLW) within the food industry. It examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and state regulatory interventions for reducing FLW.Design/methodology/approachThis mixed method study utilizes a unique panel dataset which includes the 150 largest food industry companies in Italy, Norway and the UK. It combines quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights derived from corporate strategies and corporate communications.FindingsThe analysis reveals that food companies with an established CSR strategy and in particular companies whose CSR reports highlight their environmental and social achievements are more likely to achieve in effective FLW reduction. Additionally, national-level regulatory interventions guided by European Union waste strategies act as pivotal benchmarks and encourage stricter corporate food waste management policies.Practical implicationsThis research underscores the significance of CSR strategies and effective state regulation in the fight against FLW and offers policymakers and businesses valuable insights enabling development of robust strategies.Social implicationsBy emphasizing the interplay between CSR and regulatory intervention, this research contributes to the achievement of a more sustainable and efficient global food system that addresses both economic and ethical concerns and could have far-reaching societal and environmental implications.Originality/valueThe paper sheds light on the interplay between CSR initiatives and regulatory interventions for tackling FLW and emphasizes their synergistic impact on sustainable practices within the food industry.

Green hydrogen cooperation between Egypt and Europe: The perspective of locals in Suez and Port Said

Hydrogen produced by renewable energy sources (green hydrogen) is at the centrepiece of European decarbonization strategies, necessitating large imports from third countries. Egypt potentially stands out as major production hub. While technical and economic viability are broadly discussed in literature, analyses of local acceptance are absent. This study closes this gap by surveying 505 locals in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (Port Said and Suez) regarding their attitudes towards renewable energy development and green hydrogen production. We find overall support for both national deployment and export to Europe. Respondents see a key benefit in rising income, thereby strongly underlying the economic argument. Improved trade relationships or improved political relationships are seen as potential benefits of export, but as less relevant for engaging in cooperation, putting a spotlight on local benefits. Our study suggests that the local population is more positive than negative towards the development and scaling up of green hydrogen projects in Egypt.

Energy Management System for a Residential Positive Energy District Based on Fuzzy Logic Approach (RESTORATIVE)

There is a clear European Strategy to transition by 2050 from a fossil fuel-based economy to a completely new system based on renewable energy resources, with electricity as the main energy carrier. Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are urban areas that produce at least as much energy as their yearly consumption. To meet this objective, they must incorporate distributed generation based on renewable systems within their boundaries. This article considers the fluctuations in electricity prices and local renewable availability and develops a PED model with a centralised energy storage system focused on electricity self-sufficiency and self-consumption. We present a fuzzy logic-based energy management system which optimises the state of charge of the energy storage solution considering local electricity production and loads along with the contracted electric tariff. The methodology is tested in a PED comprising 360 households in Bilbao (a city in the north of Spain), setting various scenarios, including changes in the size of the electric storage, long-term climate change effects, and extreme changes in the price of energy carriers. The study revealed that the assessed PED could reach up to 75.6% self-sufficiency and 76.8% self-consumption, with climate change expected to improve these values. On economic aspects, the return on investment of the proposal ranges from 6 up to 12 years depending on the configuration choice. Also, the case that boosts the economic viability is tight to non-business as usual (BaU), whichever event spiked up the prices or climate change conditions shortens the economic variables. The average bill is around 12.89 EUR/month per house for scenario BaU; meanwhile, a catastrophic event increases the bill by as much as 76.7%. On the other hand, climate crisis events impact energy generation, strengthening this and, as a consequence, slightly reducing the bill by up to 11.47 EUR/month.

Aligning interoperability architectures for digital agri-food platforms

Interoperability is a critical challenge in Agri-food digitalisation, aligning with European data strategies and fostering pan-European cooperation, innovation, cost reduction, and market competition. Within the last years, the European Commission funded several projects to address interoperability in digital agriculture. We compare the projects IoF2020, ATLAS, and DEMETER which address interoperability for Agri-food systems with varying architectures and approaches, supported by the OpenDEI project. Interoperability, defined as the ability of systems to exchange and use information, encompasses multiple dimensions, including legal, organisational, semantic, and technical aspects. The analysis in this comparison focuses on the semantic and technical interoperability aspects of each project, covering architectural approaches, contextualization, marketplace functionalities, and user management and security measures.The examined projects highlight a variety of solutions, including service-oriented, data-centric, and process-oriented approaches, with the optimal choice between them remaining open, and an emphasis on the need for data consistency and plausibility. Advancements in standards and technologies, such as NGSI-LD, OGC, GAIA-X, and DSBA's implementation-driven plan, indicate a shift toward open interoperability in the broader ecosystem.

Film Industry at the Service of EU Identity Politics

Mass cinema can act as a powerful tool for influencing public opinion by appealing to shared values and collective historical memory, while simultaneously constructing and guiding these elements in alignment with policy objectives. This article explores the thesis that national cinema, as an element of a common cultural code, plays a significant role in the formation and reinforcement of collective (socio-cultural) identity. Specifically, it examines the significance of Brussels' efforts to cultivate a robust film industry as part of the European Union's strategy for constructing a collective identity.The authors test the hypothesis that cinema serves as a medium for fostering a sense of belonging and emotional connection among EU citizens. To this end, the study aims to uncover the specific mechanisms by which common historical and social narratives are conveyed through European Union cinema. The research methodology is grounded in a structuralist perspective on cinema (P. Wallen, C. Metz).The article analyzes how the EU has intensified its institutional support and promotion of European cinema, particularly in response to the «crisis of ideas» in Hollywood, which has left a void in the global film market. This analysis is contextualized within the broader sociopolitical landscape, including the rising popularity of mass cinema during the pandemic and the heightened urgency for strengthening EU collective identity amid the Ukrainian crisis and the initiation of a special military operation.The findings indicate that the EU is increasingly leveraging the film industry to disseminate narratives, ideas, and values critical for both situational objectives – such as consolidating public opinion on specific political issues (illustrated by the «militarization» of the film market in response to the 2022 military operation) – and long-term goals of fortifying the EU's collective identity. However, the long-term efficacy of cinema in shaping public opinion is constrained by its susceptibility to rapid trend shifts driven by audience preferences.

Biodiversity monitoring in Europe: User and policy needs

AbstractTo achieve the goals of the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework, the European Biodiversity Strategy, and the EU Green Deal, biodiversity monitoring is critical. Monitoring efforts in Europe, however, suffer from gaps and biases in taxonomy, spatial coverage, and temporal resolution, resulting in fragmented and disconnected data. To assess user and policy needs in biodiversity monitoring, we employed a four‐step user‐centered stakeholder engagement process with over 300 stakeholders including a public stakeholder workshop, online survey, interviews, and a meeting with experts from 18 EU member states, the European Commission, and the European Environment Agency. The stakeholders identified policy needs, current challenges, and potential solutions. Based on the policy and stakeholder assessment, we recommend establishing a European Biodiversity Observation Coordinating Centre to optimize existing observation efforts, harmonize data, and enhance our ability to predict and respond to key challenges related to biodiversity loss in Europe.

Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS): The European Research Infrastructure Supporting Atmospheric Science

Abstract The Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS) officially became the 33rd European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) on 25 April 2023 with the support of 17 founding member and observer countries. As a pan-European legal organization, ACTRIS ERIC will coordinate the provision of data and data products on short-lived atmospheric constituents and clouds relevant to climate and air pollution over the next 15–20 years. ACTRIS was designed more than a decade ago, and its development was funded at national and European levels. It was included in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap in 2016 and, subsequently, in the national infrastructure roadmaps of European countries. It became a landmark of the ESFRI roadmap in 2021. The purpose of this paper is to describe the mission of ACTRIS, its added value to the community of atmospheric scientists, providing services to academia as well as the public and private sectors, and to summarize its main achievements. The present publication serves as a reference document for ACTRIS, its users, and the scientific community as a whole. It provides the reader with relevant information and an overview on ACTRIS governance and services, as well as a summary of the main scientific achievements of the last 20 years. The paper concludes with an outlook on the upcoming challenges for ACTRIS and the strategy for its future evolution.

European strategy for confronting crises

في إطار نظام دولي يموج بالأحداث والمتغيرات والأزمات التي تترك تأثيراتها على كل مكوناته، تعددت وتنوعت الأزمات التي اعترضت مسار عمل الاتحاد الأوروبي فتراوحت بين أزمات مباشرة في النطاق الأوروبي ، وأزمات خارجية إقليمية ودولية ، وقد شكلت تلك الأزمات تحديات أمام الوحدة الأوروبية فكان الاتحاد الأوروبي حاضراً ومدركاً لتلك المتغيرات والأزمات وتأثيراتها وضرورة مواجهتها عن طريق ستراتيجية أوروبية موحدة تتمكن من التعامل مع تلك الأزمات وإدارتها والتكيف معها أو إيجاد الحلول لها وذلك عن طريق الإجراءات والسياسات وحزم المساعدات والستراتيجيات الخاصة بكل مجال من المجالات ، إلا ان كل تلك الستراتيجيات الأوروبية لمواجهة الأزمات ليست بالمستوى المطلوب الذي يضع حلولاً جذرية لتلك الأزمات ، فقد كانت الاستجابات الأوروبية والمتمثلة بستراتيجيات مواجهة الأزمات متباينة ، فالبعض منها كان ناجحاً ومؤثراً وإنْ بشكل نسبي وعبرت عن توافق أوروبي نسبي في بعض الأزمات وأسهمت إلى حد ما في إمكانية التعامل مع الأزمات ، والبعض الآخر أخفق أمام أزمات أخرى ، أي ان الستراتيجيات الأوروبية إزاء الأزمات كانت ستراتيجيات خجولة ومتواضعة ولا تعبر دائماً عن الرأي الأوروبي الجماعي والموحد ، فكانت المؤثرات والمتغيرات التي تجسدت بشكل أزمات أقوى من الإرادة الأوروبية في مواجهتها ، كما ويؤثر في ذلك تغليب المصلحة الوطنية والخاصة للدول الأوروبية على المصلحة الجماعية والوحدوية والضغوط والتأثيرات الدولية التي تفضي إلى التأثير في الستراتيجيات الأوروبية ومدى نجاعتها ، وكل ذلك يلقي بإنعكاساته على مكانة وقوة وفاعلية الاتحاد الأوروبي على الصعيد الدولي . وعليه يحتاج الاتحاد الأوروبي إلى مواقف وستراتيجيات أكثر قوة وأكثر تكاملية وتوافقية بين الدول الأعضاء تعبر عن دور وتأثير أوروبي موحد وتعزز من مكانته الدولية وتوازي النجاح الذي حققه على مر المراحل التي مر بها.