A stronger Europe in the world

The European Commission champions multilateralism and a rules-based global order through a more active role and stronger voice for the EU in the world.

A strong, fair and open trade agenda, makes Europe an attractive place for business. This is key to strengthening the EU’s role as a global leader while ensuring the highest standards of climate, environmental and labour protections. European leadership also means working closely with neighbouring countries, introducing a comprehensive strategy on Africa and reaffirming the European perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans.

The Commission seeks a coordinated approach to external action - from development aid to the Common Foreign and Security Policy - that secures a stronger and more united voice for Europe in the world.

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2022 Enlargement package

12 October – In its 2022 Enlargement Package, the Commission provided a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by the Western Balkans and Türkiye on their respective paths towards the EU membership. The Commission also recommended a candidate status for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The package focuses on implementing fundamental reforms and gives clear guidance on the reform priorities ahead.

Policy areas

EU's development policy

Building international partnerships for sustainable global change
Africa-EU partnership

Intensifying Africa-EU cooperation through partnerships in five key areas

European neighbourhood

Strengthening prosperity, stability, security and region-wide cooperation
EU enlargement

Investing in peace, security and stability in Europe

Humanitarian aid and civil protection

Assistance for affected countries and populations in case of disasters or humanitarian emergencies
EU and rules-based international cooperation

Defining and defending EU priorities and values on the global stage in the multilateral system

Security and defence

A stronger EU on security and defence
Trade policy

The EU helps businesses make the most of global opportunities to ensure prosperity, fair competitiveness and investment

Relations with partners around the world

EU relations with third countries and regions

Latest videos

Stand Up for Ukraine

Global Gateway strategy

Timeline

19 July 2022
The European Union starts accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia
30 June 2022
Conclusion of negotiations of a comprehensive trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand
24 June 2022
Communication on international ocean governance
23 June 2022
EU leaders grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. They also recognise the European perspective for Georgia
23 June 2022
EU–Western Balkans Leaders Meeting in Brussels
18 May 2022
EU external energy engagement in a changing world
18 May 2022
Strategic Partnership with the Gulf
12 May 2022
EU-Japan Summit
9-10 May 2022
6th Brussels Conference on 'Supporting the future of Syria and the region
25 April 2022
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, agree to launch the EU-India Trade and Technology Council
9 April 2022
‘Stand up for Ukraine’ pledging event
1 April 2022
23rd EU-China Summit
25 February 2022
The EU adopts first package of sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine
21 December 2021
A new EU policy to support Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration of former combatants
8 December 2021
EU strengthens protection against economic coercion
1 December 2021
Global Gateway: EU's strategy to boost sustainable links around the world
26 November 2021
ASEM Summit
19 October 2021
2021 Enlargement Package
13 October 2021
A stronger EU engagement for a greener, peaceful and prosperous Arctic
12 October 2021
EU-Ukraine Summit
16 September 2021
EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
15 July 2021
EU-US Summit in Brussels
16 June 2021
EU-Russia relations: Commission and High Representative propose the way forward
15 June 2021
EU-US launch Trade and Technology Council to lead values-based global digital transformation
21 May 2021
Global Health Summit
18 May 2021
Communication on the global approach to research and innovation - Europe's strategy for international cooperation in a changing world
8 May 2021
EU-India leaders’ meeting
15 April 2021
Post-Cotonou negotiations on new EU/Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Partnership Agreement concluded
18 February 2021
Trade Policy Review - An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy
17 February 2021
New strategy to strengthen the EU's contribution to rules-based multilateralism
9 February 2021
Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood - A new Agenda for the Mediterranean
24 December 2020
EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
2 December 2020
EU-US: A new transatlantic agenda for global change
25 November 2020
EU Gender Action Plan - an ambitious agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment in EU external action
6 October 2020
An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans
15 July 2020
EU-India Summit
30 June 2020
Republic of Korea - EU Leaders' video conference meeting
22 June 2020
22nd EU-China Summit
18 June 2020
EU and Eastern Partnership leaders’ videoconference
26 May 2020
Japan-EU Leaders’ meeting
6 May 2020
EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit
18 March 2020
Eastern Partnership policy beyond 2020: Reinforcing Resilience -an Eastern Partnership that delivers for all
9 March 2020
Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa
5 February 2020
New methodology for EU accession negotiations

Latest

Speech26 November 2022
Statement by President von der Leyen at the "Grain from Ukraine" Summit
Statement25 November 2022
Statement by President von der Leyen following her phone call with President Zelenskyy
Factsheet25 November 2022
Factsheet: The European Union and Ukraine
Press release18 November 2022
Global Gateway: Team Europe launches two initiatives in Central Asia on energy and on digital connectivity

More news

Documents

Joint communication on the Indo-Pacific

16 September 2021

English (928.7 KB - PDF)

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Joint communication on EU-Russia relations

16 June 2021

English (514.1 KB - PDF)

Download

Communication: Strengthening the EU’s contribution to rules-based multilateralism

17 February 2021

English

Download

Joint Communication: A new EU-US agenda for global change

02 December 2020

English (573.6 KB - PDF)

Download

Joint Communication: "Eastern Partnership policy beyond 2020: Reinforcing Resilience – an Eastern Partnership that delivers for all"

18 March 2020

English

Download

Factsheet: The Eastern Partnership beyond 2020: Reinforcing Resilience – an Eastern Partnership that delivers for all

18 March 2020

English

Download

A stronger Europe in the world

Highlight

2022 Enlargement package

Actions

EU solidarity with Ukraine

Global Gateway

EU-US Trade and Technology Council

Food security

Global response to coronavirus

Enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans

Anti-coercion instrument

A new agenda for the Mediterranean

Policy areas

EU's development policy

Africa-EU partnership

European neighbourhood

EU enlargement

Humanitarian aid and civil protection

EU and rules-based international cooperation

Security and defence

Trade policy

Relations with partners around the world

Latest videos

Timeline

Latest

Statement by President von der Leyen at the "Grain from Ukraine" Summit

Statement by President von der Leyen following her phone call with President Zelenskyy

Factsheet: The European Union and Ukraine

Global Gateway: Team Europe launches two initiatives in Central Asia on energy and on digital connectivity

Documents

Related links