Description
Since 2016, the EU and UK have pursued a global strategy for the Indo-Pacific region, integrating foreign policy with security, defence, diplomacy, and economic partnerships. This paper argues that Brexit reduced the global influence of the UK and EU, encouraging status-seeking behaviour and global strategies. It claims this global focus worsened the decline in regional cooperation. The EU’s weak response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its limited role in the Israeli conflict highlight its declining power in foreign policy, stressing the UK’s role in the CFSP and CSDP.
This research analyses UK and EU foreign policy through a social constructivist lens, focusing on agenda-setting and implementation. Using a comparative design, it examines the narratives of global strategy and the Indo-Pacific focus via content analysis of selected policy documents, speeches, and social media posts from key political actors.
The UK and EU have different foreign policy approaches but share core values. A new Labour government offers a chance to redefine their relationship beyond a third-country framework, promoting deeper cooperation. This shift could enhance collective security and align diplomatic efforts. This paper examines scenarios for a stronger UK-EU relationship, focusing on integrated security cooperation.
