How to Revamp the EU’s Global Image

Katalin Cseh | 7th September 2021 | Uncategorised
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JUNE 14: A NATO flag hangs from the Triumphal arch at Parc du Cinquantenaire on June 14, 2021 in Brussels, Belgium. World leaders convene in Brussels at the NATO headquarters for the 2021 summit. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was created in 1949 in military defence against the Soviet Union. (Photo by Jean-Christophe Guillaume/Getty Images)
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JUNE 14: A NATO flag hangs from the Triumphal arch at Parc du Cinquantenaire on June 14, 2021 in Brussels, Belgium. World leaders convene in Brussels at the NATO headquarters for the 2021 summit. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was created in 1949 in military defence against the Soviet Union. (Photo by Jean-Christophe Guillaume/Getty Images)

Updating its policies on security and militarisation could dramatically improve the EU’s image - both internally and externally, says Katalin Cseh MEP.

This article is the sixth in a series of eight introducing the Liberal White Book: Europe 2030, the European Liberal Forum’s flagship publication highlighting the challenges that the EU faces and presenting a range of future policy options.  The European Union is frequently portrayed as an ageing international actor that is waning in both power and relevance. The seismic geopolitical power shifts that have occurred across world regions, some involving non-state actors, have only bolstered this unfavourable image and added to the considerable challenges facing the bloc. Such misconceptions about the EU are unnecessary and damaging - especially when the EU actually boasts a number of attributes which rank highly in comparison to those of other global players . On quality of life, for example, the EU still trumps most of the world. To maintain the bloc’s strong position and influence as a promoter of democracy, the EU must improve its global image. It can do so through gradually adapting ...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Roche’s $50B Gamble: Tariffs, Jobs, and Pharma’s Future

Mace | April 22, 2025

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche plans a $50 billion U.S. investment over five years, creating 12,000 jobs and building new facilities. Driven by Trump-era tariffs, it aims to protect

Pope Francis dies aged 88

Mace | April 21, 2025

Pope Francis, the first Pope from the Americas, passed away on Easter Monday, aged 88, at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. Despite enduring lifelong health challenges, including

Hungary Eyes U.S. Deal to Shield Key Industries from Tariff Impact

Mace | April 18, 2025

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced plans to finalise a U.S. business deal within six months to counter tariffs on steel, aluminium, and cars threatening Hungary's car-reliant economy.

ECB Slashes Rates Again Amid Escalating Economic Clouds

Mace | April 17, 2025

The European Central Bank (ECB) cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%, citing deteriorating growth due to trade tensions and global uncertainty. This marks

Trump’s hint at auto tariff pause fuels optimism

Mace | April 15, 2025

President Trump has suggested a potential pause on auto tariffs, sparking optimism in the auto industry and financial markets. While the proposal remains unconfirmed, it could ease industry

“Give negotiations a chance”

Thomas Edwards | April 11, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the EU’s planned 25% tariffs on €21 billion of U.S. goods with a mix of defiance and diplomacy. She clarified

Jordan Bardella: the hope of the French right

Mace | April 11, 2025

Marine Le Pen’s shock conviction for embezzling EU funds, with a five-year ban from public office, shook France’s political landscape. While Le Pen vows to appeal, her legal

Australia to China: No Hand-Holding in Trump’s Trade War

Mace | April 10, 2025

Australia has rejected China’s call to unite against Trump’s escalating tariffs, with Defence Minister Richard Marles stating, “We’re not about to make common cause with China.” Beijing sought

Global Fallout from U.S. Tariffs Sends Ripple Effects Across Economies

Mace | April 9, 2025

The U.S. had launched a tariff blitz with 104% levies on Chinese goods, rattling global markets as China hit back with steep retaliatory measures. Allies from the EU

Peer’s Nuclear Energy Advocacy Sparks Debate

Mace | April 9, 2025

Conservative peer Olivia Bloomfield faces scrutiny over her ties to Terrestrial Energy, raising questions about lobbying, conflicts of interest, and the revolving door between politics and industry. Her