Strategic Autonomy

Does the EU have the capacity and agency to set priorities and make decisions autonomously in its external action? What are the necessary political, institutional and material steps to get there? How can strategic autonomy help the EU to face the challenges within and beyond European borders?

To answer these questions, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in cooperation with the Brussels office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Fondation-Jean-Jaurès, have launched “Strategic Autonomy – pathways to progressive action“, a new flagship research project aimed at investigating the concept of ‘European strategic autonomy’ (ESA).

Despite the concept getting more central in EU affairs circles every day, there is a persistent lack of clarity on what European strategic autonomy actually means. For this reason – and with the debate over ESA’s definition, content and implications in full swing – it’s time for progressive thinkers to provide an in-depth analysis of the concept and set an agenda on where to direct and how to operationalize the term.

High-level policy experts have provided actionable recommendations through a series of publications and roundtables around three areas:
• Security & Defense
• Economy & Trade
• Digital & Technology