In an analysis of the ‘Europe in the World’ budget instrument presented on 16 July by the European Commission in its proposal for a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (2028-2034) (see EUROPE 13683/1), the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) fears a ‘strategic vacuum’.
While the Commission is seeking to reconcile the defence of short-term geopolitical and economic interests with the European Union’s historical and legal commitments to sustainable development, human rights and democratic governance, the ECDPM stresses that the proposed refocusing would take place without a truly coherent policy framework.
“The proposal contains no reference to the 2016 EU Global Strategy or the 2017 European Consensus on Development – foundational documents that previously anchored EU external action”, points out the Brussels and Maastricht-based think-tank.
“Instead, implementation is to be steered by a fragmented set of high-level political inputs: strategic agendas of the European Council, political guidelines of the European Commission, Council conclusions, communications and summit outcomes (Article 8). While now formally embedded into the Global Europe instrument, the Global Gateway strategy is not a comprehensive strategy in itself and cannot replace a broader policy framework”, says the author of the analysis, Alexei Jones.
In his view, the instrument risks being driven by short-term political priorities and institutional compromises, leading to a fragmented set of priorities.
To see full review, go to https://aeur.eu/f/hz2 (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)