The EU in the world

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  • Foreign Policy
  • Trade
  • Enlargement
  • Security

Module overview

In an era of shifting power dynamics, economic competition, and pressing security challenges, understanding the EU’s external role has become essential.

This course presents: the EU’s role in the world, exploring both its ambitions and its limits as a global power. By analyzing its institutional framework, policy instruments and engagement with external partners, the course will provide a comprehensive understanding of the EU’s global presence.

Module objectives

By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

  • Introduce the institutional and policy foundations of the EU’s external action.
  • Analyse key domains of the EU’s global role: trade, neighbourhood and enlargement policies, and security and defence policy.
  • Critically assess the EU’s effectiveness and identity as a global actor.
  • Connect theoretical perspectives with real-world policy developments and international events that have been shaping EU’s identity.

Module programme

5 October 2026

09:30 - 11:30

Pl. du Congrès 1, Bruxelles

As an introduction to the course, we will start with the EU’s evolving role in world politics, focusing on questions of identity, legitimacy and capacity. We will examine the institutional architecture of the EU’s external action, the role of the European External Action Service, and the interplay between the Union, its Member States and international partners.

The first hour will be devoted to the basic concepts and institutional framework for the EU’s identity as an external actor and a global player. While for the second hour, we will reflect on the latest developments around Israel-Gaza conflict as a case study of the EU’s engagement or the lack of it.

Taught by:

Tinatin Akhvlediani

Head of the Enlargement Programme

6 October 2026

09:30 - 11:30

Pl. du Congrès 1, Bruxelles

In this session, we will explore the EU as a global economic powerhouse. The focus will be on the EU’s common commercial policy, its free trade agreements and role in the WTO. We will also reflect on recent developments showing how geopolitical dynamics increasingly shape the EU’s global trade arrangements and consider the challenges of balancing European values with geopolitics and economic interests worldwide.

Taught by:

Tinatin Akhvlediani

Head of the Enlargement Programme

7 October 2026

09:30 - 11:30

Pl. du Congrès 1, Bruxelles

This section will address the EU’s enlargement and the European Neighbourhood Policies. It will assess how EU enlargement has evolved over time and how current geopolitical developments have revived what had long been a largely dormant policy. Following a general introduction and clarification of key concepts, the session will focus on two strands: the enlargement process with the Western Balkans and the new momentum created by the fast-track accession perspectives for the Eastern Trio.

Taught by:

Tinatin Akhvlediani

Head of the Enlargement Programme

8 October 2026

14:00 - 16:00

Online

The final session will examine the development of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and its evolving ambitions in a shifting global order. Topics will include EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), civilian and military missions, cooperation with NATO, and the Strategic Compass. Attention will also be given to the challenges of building credibility and coherence in EU security policy amid war on the continent and renewed great power competition.

Taught by:

Steven Blockmans

Associate Senior Research Fellow

Module info

Explore the EU’s role as a global actor through its external action, trade, enlargement, and security policies in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

  • Module
  • Duration
  • Language
  • Location
  • Date

4 of 4

8 hours

English

Hybrid

5-8 October 2026

Module teachers

Tinatin Akhvlediani

Head of the Enlargement Programme

Steven Blockmans

Associate Senior Research Fellow