Newsletter No. 2 | March 2022

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Dear Reader,   As the ENGAGE project enters its second year, we are happy to share with you the newest edition of our newsletter. In addition to activities undertaken by ENGAGE and its partners, we would like to draw your attention to our first practitioner-oriented brief, which summarises the major findings of our first five working papers and outlines their practical implications.   If you would like to stay up-to-date with the ENGAGE project, please also consider following us on Twitter and LinkedIn.   Enjoy the read! The ENGAGE Team Our Recent Publications and Events Europe: Between Being Defenceless and Defensive   Emmanuel Macron’s bid to build a “Europe that protects” is not misguided; it outflanks both the siege mentality of a defensive continent and the artlessness of a defenceless one. But it will remain a mere ambition if Europe fails to protect itself.   Learning from the Past: Everything Has a Transatlantic Dimension   With geopolitical tensions rising in Eastern Europe, the EU is struggling to reconcile the need for a more coherent and assertive foreign policy with Member States’ varying strategic interests – all while balancing the crucial transatlantic relationship.   The Current Legal Basis and Governance Structures of the EU’s External Action   This paper explores the current legal basis and governance structures of the EU’s “external action plus”, meaning traditional external action areas as well as the external dimension of some internal policy areas, including competition, health and environment.   Envisioning a New Governance Architecture for a Global Europe   This brief summarises the major findings from ENGAGE's first year of research and outlines their practical implications. It puts forward definitions for the effectiveness, coherence and sustainability of EU external action and discusses the legal basis and governance structures of CSDP and CFSP.   Judy Asks | Is the EU Politically Committed to its Eastern Partners?   The EU’s Eastern Partnership has brought tangible benefits to its member countries but does not reflect today’s geopolitical realities. The December 2021 summit was a chance to tailor the initiative to partners’ diverging needs.   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 and other areas with defence implications, like the so-called “sleeping beauties”.   Towards Effective, Coherent and Sustainable EU External Action: Laying the Ground for the ENGAGE White Paper   This paper lays the groundwork for the ENGAGE project by putting forward shared definitions of the effectiveness, coherence and sustainability of the EU’s external action.

Our Partners’ Publications and Events 1 March 2022 | Blog Carnegie Europe Foundation   The EU, with Germany playing a pivotal role, may finally start acting strategically. It will mean shattering illusions about war, peace, and stability. Read Here   22 February 2022 | Report Hertie School – Centre for International Security   This report showcases lessons learned, actionable results and new forms of citizens’ participation in EU politics. Read Here   19 February 2022 | Radio Hertie School – Centre for International Security   Monika Sus joins this BBC programme touching on the tensions over Ukraine, the Beijing winter Olympics and more. Listen Here   11 February 2022 | Op-Ed Carnegie Europe Foundation   The EU’s newly launched Chips Act aims to reduce supply chain dependence and avoid future shortages – but questions remain about the necessary funding. Read Here   7 February 2022 | Blog Esade Business & Law School   Patrizia Cogo analyses how the EU is revising its multi-faceted approach to China in light of the latest developments in the bilateral relationship. Read Here   3 February 2022 | Virtual Event Esade Business & Law School   This session of the 10th ed. of the Global Annual Energy Meeting focused on the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its external effects. Watch Here   28 January 2022 | Virtual Event Esade Business & Law School   This session includes keynote speeches by Frans Timmermans and Teresa Ribera on the geostrategic perspectives on the European energy transition. Watch Here   27 January 2022 | Virtual Event Hertie School – Centre for International Security   With a new German government, what will be the impact on Germany’s strategic partnership with Central and Eastern Europe in the EU context? Watch Here   12 January 2022 | Op-Ed Hertie School – Centre for International Security   Following Merkel’s departure, what is in store for the already complicated relationship between Germany and Poland? Read Here   31 December 2021 | Book Chapter College of Europe Natolin   The chapter showcases three factors that precluded the EU from advancing relations with Gulf countries to a level that reflects their geostrategic importance. Read Here   22 December 2021 | Op-Ed Carnegie Europe Foundation   Mixed signals from the US, Iran’s nuclear progress and rising tensions between Washington and Beijing stand in the way of a renewed nuclear deal. Read Here   20 December 2021 | Article Carnegie Europe Foundation   The EU’s pursuit of a single European defence market necessitates stronger democratic oversight by members of European and national legislative bodies. Read Here   8 December 2021 | Paper Carnegie Europe Foundation   Georgia’s cultural clashes have exacerbated the country’s political polarization, threatening democratic processes and relations with the West. Read Here   30 November 2021 | Book College of Europe Natolin   Looking back and providing a critical assessment of the first ten years of the EaP in practice, this book assesses its many potential future avenues. Read Here