(Ankara Univ European Union Research Centre, 2024) Ustun, Cigdem; Han, Ahmet K.
Since the aftermath of World War II, the pursuit of European autonomy in ensuring its security has been a constant topic on the European agenda, however never fully realized. The Lisbon Treaty facilitated Union representation as a legal entity and introduced Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) to deepen defense ties. Geopolitical ambitions increased with von Der Leyen's 2019 call for a Geopolitical Commission, preceding the Russia-Ukraine war. Global geopolitical shifts amplify the need for a robust European role. However, the EU's historical struggle in forging a strong security policy fuels skepticism. This study assesses the EU's foreign policy in the Mediterranean and Black Sea amidst regional turmoil, employing a neo-classical realist lens and a global perspective.
