The Merkel era ends | The EU seeks a "strategic compass"

The leaders of the 27 EU countries have gathered in Slovenia to hold a summit on the process of joining the European Union among the six Western Balkans. Since the European debt crisis, the expansion of the EU has become a political bomb that no one wants to touch. Therefore, the outside world has very low expectations for this summit.

The summit dinner focused on the global trend of the EU’s global positioning. For the leaders of the EU-27, this may be a far more interesting topic than the accession of the Western Balkans, especially the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the Australia-UK-US alliance (AUKUS). After the impact.

With the end of the Merkel era, it is a rare opportunity for the European Union, which has stepped onto the crossroads of independence, to tilt towards France.

(Getty Images)

In contrast to the empty rhetoric of the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that "The Western Balkans belong to the European Union" after the meeting, EU leaders instructed the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell after the banquet. Submit the first draft of the "Strategic Compass", which will be discussed by leaders of various countries, and then formally confirmed in the following year.

It can be seen that the priority of EU expansion is far less than the theme of EU positioning in the hearts of leaders of all countries.

Borelli pointed out: "We are deeply aware that the world is experiencing a shift in the balance of geopolitical power. On the one hand, there is a huge bipolarity between China and the United States. Take action."

The proposal of the "strategic compass" coincided with the resignation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had been the true leader of the European Union for 16 years, and provided Macron with an opportunity to lead the EU agenda with France.

Although Macron will face consecutive optional battles in the coming year, his winning situation has gradually stabilized, and the electoral system of the European Union countries also determines that France's leadership position will become more obvious.

With the end of the Merkel era, it is a rare opportunity for the European Union, which has stepped onto the crossroads of independence, to tilt towards France.

The vision and capabilities of the French leader in the next few years will determine the European Union that has been defined by crises one after another in the past decade?

Is it possible to pick up a compass with a clear direction and embark on a path that is different from that since World War II and the Cold War?

For details, please read the 285th "Hong Kong 01" Electronic Weekly Newsletter (October 10, 2021) "