欧洲安全研究所-2021年欧洲安全年鉴（英）-213页_10mb

2021 Yearbook of European Security Summary

Core Content

The 2021 Yearbook of European Security provides a comprehensive overview of the European Union's (EU) security and foreign policy developments in 2020, with a particular focus on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the evolution of multilateralism, and the strategic challenges in the EU's neighborhood and global partnerships. The yearbook highlights the EU's response to crises, its efforts to strengthen internal cohesion, and its strategic positioning in a shifting global landscape.

Main Views and Key Information

The Impact of the Pandemic

• The Covid-19 pandemic became the central issue of 2020, affecting health, economic, and geopolitical dimensions globally.
• The EU faced internal challenges, including the need to repatriate stranded citizens and support its neighbors with limited resources.
• The 'Team Europe' initiative was launched to foster close cooperation between Member States and EU institutions, emphasizing solidarity and coordinated action.
• The EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) played a critical role in providing medical aid, including masks, ventilators, and repatriation efforts.
• The European Defence Fund (EDF) was created, and the first-ever cyber sanctions were adopted to counter threats in cyberspace.

The EU's Neighbourhood

• The EU's neighbourhood became increasingly crowded and competitive, with actors such as Russia, Turkey, and China employing hybrid tactics.
• Turkey and Russia both increased their military presence in Libya, raising concerns about regional stability.
• The Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership (EaP) remain key areas of EU engagement, with a focus on democracy, reforms, and regional integration.
• In Lebanon, the political stalemate led to a potential humanitarian crisis, prompting the EU to support stability.

Global Strategic Challenges

• The US-China strategic competition became more pronounced, with the EU caught between cooperation and rivalry.
• The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) celebrated its 100th anniversary, highlighting both its achievements and its assertive foreign policy stance.
• The EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) was controversial, with critics pointing to human rights concerns and lack of transparency.
• The Biden administration expressed interest in consulting the EU before finalizing the CAI, indicating a shift in US-EU relations.

Multilateralism and Global Issues

• The pandemic accelerated the crisis of multilateralism, as global institutions such as the UN Security Council, WTO, and WHO faced challenges in addressing the crisis effectively.
• Climate change emerged as a critical security issue, with COP26 in Glasgow seen as a pivotal moment for global action.
• Technology regulation, especially in AI, data, and autonomous weapons, became a major concern for the EU, with the need to set global standards.
• The 'Brussels effect' is questioned if European tech giants are not leading the way in setting rules for the future.

Security and Crisis Management

• The EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) was active, with civilian and military missions and operations ongoing.
• The EU's strategic goals include strengthening internal cohesion, enhancing global influence, and responding to hybrid threats.
• The EU's role in the Middle East was tested by the Wagner Group's military activities and Russia's peacekeeping in Nagorno-Karabakh.
• The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh led to a ceasefire in November 2020, with Russian peacekeepers deployed.
• Cybersecurity and disinformation were major concerns, with the EU's ENISA and Team Europe playing a central role in countering threats.

Economic and Technological Trends

• The pandemic had a significant economic impact, especially on tourism, aerospace, and cultural industries.
• The EU's Recovery Plan (Next Generation EU) was introduced to stimulate growth, reform, and recovery from the economic fallout.
• The EU's strategic Compass and defence industrial development were key components of its defence policy.
• China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and economic growth remain important for the EU, even as geopolitical tensions increase.

Key Trends and Challenges

• Global competition is intensifying, with a shift from multilateralism to multipolarity.
• The EU's external policy is increasingly influenced by geopolitical considerations, especially in relation to Russia, China, and the US.
• Multilateralism is under strain, but remains essential for addressing climate change, technology regulation, and global health.
• The EU must balance its economic interests, strategic autonomy, and normative values in its foreign policy.

Conclusion

The 2020 year was a test for the EU, showcasing both its resilience and its challenges in a globalized and polarized world. The pandemic and geopolitical tensions forced the EU to act more cohesively and strategically, while multilateralism remains a vital but strained pillar of international cooperation. The Yearbook underscores the need for the EU to adapt, innovate, and lead in a post-pandemic world, ensuring global stability, security, and democratic values.