The European Union and Strategic Competition

The European Union and Strategic Competition research programme focuses on the European Union and its role in the context of growing strategic competition.

Research themes:

1. EU’s global role and possibilities for action in the context of strategic competition

2. Development of EU’s common foreign and security policy, common security and defence policy, and European defence cooperation

3. Major development trajectories of the EU and European integration, and the exercise of power in the EU

4. Evolution of European policies of major EU member states

EU’s external relations and the different dimensions of its global role form a key area of research. The EU’s global role and possibilities for action are examined in the framework of a changing international environment increasingly marked by strategic competition among major powers.

EU’s common foreign and security policy, common security and defence policy, and European defence cooperation constitute a central focus of research. Furthermore, research on the EU’s external relations examines the EU’s international partnerships, especially in the Middle East and Africa. The programme also focuses on the EU’s external economic relations as foreign policy tools.

Major development trajectories of the EU and European integration are another key area of research. Research on the exercise of power in the EU, referring to relations between the EU institutions and the member states, focuses on the political developments and reforms of the Union. By conducting research on European policies of major EU member states, the programme also aims to provide insights on the dynamics between member states.

The programme takes part in major European research networks and continues to expand and reinforce this cooperation.

Networks

Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA)

TEPSA, established in 1974 as a Belgian International Association under Belgian Law and the first transeuropean research network, comprises leading research institutes in the field of European affairs throughout Europe, with an office in Brussels. TEPSA’s aim is to provide high quality research on European integration in order to stimulate discussion on policies and political options for Europe. This is achieved by interaction between the European and national institutions as well as the academic and research community.

European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN)

EPIN is a network of dynamic think tanks and policy institutes focusing on current EU and European political and policy debates. It is a comprehensive network with 30 members in 26 countries, including almost all the EU member states and candidate countries. EPIN aims to contribute to the debate on the Future of Europe through up to the minute, expert analysis and commentary and through providing easy access to understanding the different national debates. 

Euromesco

Euromesco seeks to construct relationships between Europe, the Maghreb and the Mashriq on a North-South and South-South basis, which otherwise might not exist, in order to widen the forum for debate on matters of mutual concern. Such issues are related to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), and the network provides a forum for the debate of essential matters that might otherwise prove to be sensitive issues for governments within the EMP.