14. 10. 2025
AUTHOR: Anne-Sophie Cerisola and Linda Kalcher
Given the geopolitical turmoil, it’s imperative for the European Union to redefine its role in the world. Many international partners perceive the EU as being overwhelmed by addressing industrial competition from China, security threats from Russia and the latest coercion on EU policies from the Trump administration. It is time for the EU to confirm its relevance on the international stage: a clear and impactful strategy is a welcome first step.
Under the stewardship of Executive Vice-President Ribera, Commissioners Jørgensen and Hoekstra will present “A global vision with global energy and climate diplomacy objectives ahead of COP30” on 16 October. Based on our report “10 Recommendations for a new European Economic Foreign Policy”, this blog sets out five expectations for the Commission’s publication:
1. Redefining the “EU’s way of diplomacy”
Traditionally, the EU has sought to stand on its own terms on the international stage, with an approach that is distinctive from that of the United States or China. It has been perceived as a credible, cooperative and reliable partner and thus managed to build broad alliances that have led to many successes in multilateral settings, including the adoption of the Paris Agreement. The upcoming ‘global vision’ can build on this legacy and set strategic priorities for plurilateral and multilateral engagement, by defining tangible objectives and nuanced approaches to different regions: The neighbouring countries from the United Kingdom to Norway, the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean will remain essential partners for fossil-free energy cooperation.
2. Fostering geoeconomic resilience through stronger security of supply
The upcoming vision can embed diplomacy as economic foreign policy and thus further develop the international part of the Clean Industrial Deal. It is therefore essential to spell out how its priorities around enhancing competitiveness, as well as economic, energy and supply chain security, intersect with cooperation. For example, the EU can use the power of its market to create technological cooperation. This would benefit the EU by diversifying its suppliers and help partner countries create local value chains. If done well, the partnerships (Just Energy Transition Partnerships, Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships, country platforms, etc.) provide business opportunities for European companies whilst fostering sustainable growth and development in third countries.
3. Getting the Global Energy Transition Forum to deliver concrete projects
When launched in January in Davos, the idea of the Forum proved timely and compelling to keep the momentum on of the three goals agreed internationally in 2023: tripling renewable power capacity; doubling energy efficiency improvements; and accelerating the just, orderly and equitable transition away from fossil fuels. This was confirmed by the joint letter signed by President von der Leyen with leaders from Brazil, South Africa, Canada, Uruguay, Barbados and others at the UN General Assembly. The Commission can now maximise the significant potential of the Forum to (i) allow leaders to exchange views on the energy transition; (ii) have ministers deliver on concrete financial and technical solutions by involving the private sector; (iii) showcase concrete outcomes on scaling up renewable energy to secure universal access to electricity and create large-scale projects on grids.
4. Improving access to “TeamEurope” for third countries?
Whilst the speeches and rhetoric on the benefits of decarbonisation have always been the EU’s strength, the inability, so far, to point to concrete achievements and impacts of its cooperation is hard to understand. Irrespective of whether under the Global Energy Transition Forum, the Global Gateway or other initiatives, partners struggle to understand or see the impressive offer the EU and its national governments provide under TeamEurope. Ranging from trade to technical assistance or technology partnerships, the vision comes at the right moment to showcase the full toolbox and provide more transparency for partner countries and the European private sector alike.
5. Showcasing a clear repartition of responsibilities across the Commission
Apart from the joint trip to India and the preparations for the EU-China summit, the von der Leyen II Commission has not yet shown its diplomatic potential. A clear division of roles and responsibilities, either regional or thematic, is imperative to strengthen the hand of many Commissioners. Executive Vice-President Ribera, as well as Commissioners Jørgensen and Hoekstra, have excellent contacts, knowledge and skills. The strong trio can be complemented by High Representative Kallas’s ability to connect security and climate concerns, Commissioner Síkela’s experience as a former banker, and Commissioner Šefčovič’s ability to link energy, clean technology, cooperation and trade.
Photo credit: Teresa Ribera, Wopke Hoekstra and Dan Jorgensen (from left to right). European Union. 2025.
