Fresh narrative needed for Europe’s stalled security strategy

The EU’s first and only security strategy is out of date and is, rightly, about to be refreshed. But Ana Palacio argues that the review should have taken place either well before or after the UK referendum debate.

IF A strategy is announced and nobody is around to listen, does it make a sound? The European Union will find out the answer this June, when Federica Mogherini, its high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, presents a long-overdue foreign and security strategy for Europe — just when all eyes will be on the United Kingdom’s referendum on EU membership.

The EU is adrift and desperately in need of a catalyst to renew its sense of purpose and dynamism. The global strategy could serve that purpose, but not if it is issued at a time when attention is squarely focused on another challenge, especially one that could bring about fundamental change for the EU. Given this, the strategy’s launch should be put on hold until after the referendum.