Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation

Can the EU inject more soft power into the world whilst building more hard power for Europe? The world is presently facing up to an unprecedented mix of growing crises – financial, monetary, economic crises combine with problems of energy, food, environment – all closely interconnected and therefore confronting the global economy with a systemic shock of unprecedented magnitude.

Failing to manage these economic and the environmental crises will increase the strategic threats for Europe. The EU dimension must be exploited to the full, both at strategic and at economic levels.

Europe’s sheer size makes it a natural major player in the world’s adaptation to these crises, as well as to the opportunities that arise. Yet the EU is far off the mark as a global economic power. Moreover it has to connect its soft and its hard power, which is still in a limbo phase.

From now on though, the changing balance of power brought about by the emergence of China and India forces Europe to punch its full weight in world economic and strategic matters.

But projecting the EU’s economic and strategic power in this new international setting requires institutional strength, strategic vision and strong leadership.

By contributing through radical thinking, to deepen the transatlantic cooperation whilst building up a strong and constructive relationship with newcomers, starting with China, the Madariaga – College of Europe Foundation will work towards the empowerments of Europe in a multi-polar and multilateral world.