The EU-VALUES Network (EU Research and Education Network on Foreign Policy Issues: Values and Democracy) unites 21 leading higher education institutions from Europe and beyond to enrich the debate and deepen understanding of values and democracy in the EU's foreign policy.
Comprising nearly 100 academic experts from six continents, this coalition was formed with a focus on scholarly excellence and inclusiveness, emphasising gender equality and geographic diversity. Our network recognises the urgent need to bolster the EU's external legitimacy as a force for good amid global challenges.
Explore our latest newsletter for an in-depth look at the Network’s evolving focus - highlighting key initiatives, research insights and flagship projects on Human Rights, Trade, Democracy, and the EU’s global actions, alongside achievements, challenges and future directions.
Ideas and Insights from the EU-VALUES Network
The war in Ukraine has forced the EU to rethink its role on the continent, transforming enlargement from a normative project into a strategic instrument of security. In this blog, Seçkin Barış Gülmez examines Ursula von der Leyen’s speeches since 2022 to show how Brussels frames Ukraine’s EU accession not as routine integration but as a decisive tool against Russian aggression.
Amid rising geopolitical pressures, the EU’s enlargement policy reveals a troubling paradox: bold rhetoric on democracy, rule of law, and human rights paired with strikingly cautious action toward the Western Balkans and Turkey. In this blog, Erman Ermihan and Nasuh Sofuoğlu unpack the EU’s strategy of nihilistic responsibility—a performance of moral commitment that avoids real transformation—raising urgent questions about credibility, leadership, and the Union’s future as a normative power.
In a pivotal moment for Poland and the European Union, Karol Nawrocki’s narrow victory in the 2025 presidential election has dealt a heavy blow to liberal hopes and democratic momentum. Adam Holesch delves into the deeper political undercurrents behind the vote, from populist narratives and institutional gridlock to the strategic missteps of Donald Tusk’s coalition.
Navigating Uncertainty: The EU's Stand for Democracy with Prof. Javier Solana | Full Interview
EU-VALUES Talks
What does a second Trump presidency mean for democracy, human rights, and the international order?
We hear from Professor Javier Solana - President of ESADEGeo, former EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and former Secretary General of NATO, to explore how the European Union is recalibrating its global role in response to growing geopolitical uncertainty.
The video delves into the impact of the renewed Trump administration on transatlantic relations and the stability of shared democratic values. Solana examines whether the European Union is moving toward strategic autonomy by seeking new alliances, from advancing Mercosur agreements to deepening partnerships in Asia. The video also covers the evolution of EU-China relations, with Brussels reassessing its stance toward Beijing amid shifting global dynamics.
Finally, we ask the pressing question: Is the EU geopolitically prepared for what comes next? Can it act swiftly and cohesively in a rapidly changing world?
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