Federica Mogherini's five-year tenure as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has been characterized by the promotion of a new strategic direction and global strategy known as 'resilience'. This strategy aims to harness the EU's apparent weakness into a powerful tool through a focus on multilateralism, integration, connectivity, and multifaceted diplomacy.
Key points of Mogherini's resilience strategy:
- Integration of EU Policy: Resilience serves as a unifying concept that brings together all EU policy communities, actors, and institutions to find a common purpose in addressing global challenges.
- Multilateral and Cooperative Approach: The EU adopts a more modest and cooperative approach to intervention abroad, focusing on leveraging local resources and operating through complex partnerships to promote resilience, economic growth, and peace transitions rather than imposing European values.
- Global Presence and Connectivity Emphasis: Mogherini has enhanced the EU's global visibility and emphasized connectivity, responding to international developments by increasing the EU's engagement and communication efforts to strengthen partnerships with other countries and regions.
- Diplomatic Initiatives and Dialogues: She has elevated diplomatic initiatives and dialogue as a central instrument of EU external relations, promoting constructive and inclusive dialogues to foster sustainable solutions.
Mogherini's legacy lies in her ability to redefine the EU's approach in a complex, interconnected world, demonstrating that in an era where traditional methods may not yield results, embracing resilience can provide a strategic advantage. By focusing on multilateralism, cooperation, and engagement, she has positioned the EU as a global player committed to multilateralism and proactive diplomacy.