Weathering the storm: the future of European Union in a rapidly evolving global dis/order

After a decade of crises, the EU seems to have weathered the storms and to be back on track. Over the past year, the EU has taken measures and pushed its boundaries on a number of fronts. Plans such as the Next Generation EU are a first step towards a closer financial and political union and have laid the basis for a more resilient, greener and sustainable economic recovery. Furthermore, the Conference on the Future of Europe is giving voice to European citizens and might well open up the way to future reforms. Yet, the pandemic has also highlighted many of the European internal deficiencies and divisions, with member states often acting in disregard of the principles of unity and solidarity.

Externally, U.S. President Joe Biden has made a stronger commitment to Euro-Atlantic ties. However, the EU continues to be confronted with a troubled world and is adjusting, with difficulty, to a multipolar system, increasingly ruled by power politics.

The future of the Union is critical to countering the currently evolving global dis/order. How can the EU overcome its internal divisions and revitalize its role in the international arena?

A conversation between Aleš Chmelař, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and Nathalie Tocci, Director, Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI).