European values have been put to a stress test. Most recently, Putin’s war against Ukraine serves as a litmus test for the EU’s ability to stand up to authoritarian regimes and to stay true to its values. The Russian invasion of Ukraine significantly shapes the EU’s role and reputation as a community of values and sets expectations on the EU’s management and mitigation of the effects of the war. Ethical dilemmas facing policymakers in the EU Member States came to display as they are trying to break their countries’ dependence on Russian energy.
Secondly, migration flows into the EU, which are likely to increase in the future, represent another stress test for European values. The way in which the EU addresses this challenge will prove if it can live up to its founding principles of human dignity, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Therefore, European values should be an integral part of the process of rethinking the current immigration and integration system in Europe. Member states are expected to prevent and discourage unauthorised crossings of the EU external border while demonstrating full respect of those values. There was consensus on the need for independent monitoring of the border agency Frontex by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). In this way, repeated violations of the non-refoulement principle and violent pushbacks at the EU's external borders should be clarified and prevented in the future.
Thirdly, the EU as a normative power and Nobel Peace Prize winner, also has a special responsibility when cooperating with other regions. In representing its economic interests in trade relations with states that do not conform to its core values, the EU must make sure that the fulfilment of democratic standards and respect for human rights in supply and value chains are part of its negotiation red lines.
And last but not least, if the EU wants to exports its values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights it needs to – first and foremost – live up to them inside its own borders. The rule of law conditionality mechanism which allows the European Commission to withhold the disbursement of EU funds if it determines that the EU financial interests are being threatened is a step in the right direction that cements the EU’s status as a community of shared values and laws. Being part of the community that respects those values represents a goal many countries strive to achieve. This is especially the case for the candidate countries as well as the potential candidate countries to which the EU should show openness and readiness for accession negotiations. However, the EU must not undermine its credibility by applying double standards in terms of adherence to those values, i.e. it should continue supervising adherence to its core values even after accession. Resolving the so-called “Copenhagen dilemma” is a crucial prerequisite for maintaining the status of a value-based community.
In the interactive workshop “Europe as a Community of Values – Does the EU Live Up to This Claim?” we want to discuss how the EU can strengthen the adherence to its values within its border as well as beyond: How can the EU strengthen its resilience in times of crises in order to preserve its commitments to the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights? Which reforms are necessary in order to strengthen European values inside the EU? How should the EU shape its external policy in order to live up to its values beyond its borders?
Toni Skorić is Desk Officer "European Dialogue“ in the Unit Europe at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom