On EU values and the open strategic autonomy paradox: Revisiting the EU as a global actor

This contribution points to the ‘open strategic autonomy paradox’ that emerges when considering the European Union’s response to the rapid geopolitical shift from the perspective of the EU’s global pursuit of peace, stability and security through a values-based approach in accordance with Articles 3(5) and 21(1) TEU. It is argued that, in the face of the urgency of the problems globally – not least the pressure put on the international rules-based order – there has been surprisingly little reflection on how to treasure and sharpen the soft power tools currently at the EU’s disposal.