Hand holding network with stars symbolizing the EU flag

EUbriefings

As part of the “Sovereign Europe” project, we explain seven key challenges facing Europe in the “EUbriefings” publication series and answer the questions of how these challenges are currently developing and what EU policy can do to deal with them better.

Foto Anika Sina Laudien
Anika Sina Laudien
Project Manager
Foto Malte Zabel
Dr. Malte Zabel
Co-Director

Content

What is important in the relationship between China and the EU? What issues need to be addressed now in transatlantic relations? What does Ukraine's possible accession to the EU mean? The EU briefings deal briefly and concisely with complex topics, all of which have a strong influence on the EU today and in the future. 

Dealing with China: Accelerating De-Risking 
China aims to reshape the global order to its advantage. The EU and China are closely interconnected through trade and investment. How does China view the EU, what are the key challenges in relations, and what can the EU do to find better ways of dealing with China? 

EU-Ukraine Relations: Fostering Resilience while Preparing for EU Accession 
Future enlargement now stands as a major challenge for the EU’s political, economic, and social landscape. Ukraine’s potential membership is particularly impactful, given its size and the impacts of Russia‘s full-scale invasion. In which policy areas can the EU support Ukraine in the coming years? 

EU-US Trade and Technology Council: Enhancing Legislative Engagement 
The European Union and the United States have the world‘s largest trade and investment partnership, making up one-third of global GDP. Launched in October 2021, the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is the key forum for maintaining transatlantic economic cooperation. How can cooperation in the TCC be further expanded? 

EU-Southern Neighbourhood: Transitioning to Green Energy 
The European Union and its Southern Neighbourhood are deeply interconnected through economic, social, and political ties. Amid ongoing instability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the shift to green energy offers a pivotal opportunity to redefine these relationships. How could this be achieved? 

The EU’s Geo-economic Trade Instruments: Making the Most of the Toolbox 
In recent years, global trade has faced growing challenges. Both industrial policy and geopolitical considerations have led countries to increasingly restrict trade flows and prioritize domestic production. The EU enters the new mandate equipped with a range of new or improved geo-economic trade instruments. What trade policy instruments are available to the EU and how could they be improved? 

EU-UK: Resetting Relations in a Geopolitical World 
The UK aims to reconnect with Europe and the EU, a policy that coincides with the EU’s renewed interest in bolstering its global position amidst geopolitical tensions. This opens up new opportunities to strengthen European security. In which areas can the EU and the UK work together more closely? 

Reforming Cohesion Policy: Finding the Right Balance 
Cohesion Policy is currently undergoing its most intense and fundamental debate. With a changing global landscape, newly emerging policy priorities, the planning of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034, and a new EU legislative cycle, the discussion of Cohesion Policy’s direction is crucial. What is the best way to organize the debate?