June 30, 2026.

In this policy brief published by the Jacques Delors Institute, Thierry Chopin points out that Europe’s response to growing geopolitical rivalries should not force a choice between power and values. Instead, the EU should make its democratic and legal principles the foundation of its geopolitical identity. In a context marked by sovereignty shocks, attacks on liberal democracies and the rise of illiberal regimes, the rule of law, democracy and fundamental freedoms are presented not only as moral principles but also as the foundation of the Union’s cohesion and its capacity for collective action.

The analysis underlines the link between European sovereignty, the capacity for collective action and the sense of belonging to a community of destiny. It concludes that defending the Union’s interests requires a stronger internal unity around shared principles, because European values are also a strategic resource for resilience, influence and sovereignty.

Chopin, T. “In a world in crisis, can Europe assert itself through its ‘values’?, Policy Brief, Jacques Delors Institute, June 2026, available here.