EU-NATO Relations: Between Necessity and Strategic Uncertainty

Abstract

Although relations between the European Union and NATO are not new, they began almost two decades ago, their scarce practical actions and their more informal than formal qualities have caused them to go quite unnoticed until now. Therefore, in this current situation, in which Europe finds itself between the need to reinforce security guarantees as a consequence of the growing range of challenges it must face and the uncertainty deriving from the crumbling –or at least deep transformation- of the structures that had characterized the liberal order since the end of the Second World War and, even more so if possible, since the Cold War, structures in which the Atlantic Alliance must be included as well as the transatlantic relations as a whole. Hence, the analysis of what is to be expected in the future of relations between the EU and NATO seems to be more appropriate than ever A future that, despite the renewed efforts that have been made since 2016, does not seem very promising at least until the political resolve appears that has been lacking until now and that has been converted in the lack of financing and human resources that are needed for calls of cooperation to be translated into effective actions.

A future that, despite the renewed efforts that have been made since 2016, does not seem very promising at least until the political resolve appears that has been lacking until now and that has been converted in the lack of financing and human resources that are needed for calls of cooperation to be translated into effective actions.