Publication

The conclusions of the European Council held on 16 September 2010 have placed the so-called ‘strategic partnerships with key players in the world’ at the forefront of the EU foreign policy debate. The document is both a sign of the times, and a counter-cyclical statement. A sign of the times, because it reflects the decisive role of a range of rising and established powers in the management, or mishandling, of common challenges, and the consequent need to engage with them more effectively. This paper offers a framework to help develop a more effective and coherent approach to EU strategic partnerships.