Strengthening Security and Sustainability: The EU's Role in Building Alliances with Eastern Neighbours and Implementing Corporate Sustainability

Strengthening Security and Sustainability: The EU's Role in Building Alliances with Eastern Neighbours and Implementing Corporate Sustainability

Introduction:
The European Union (EU) has made significant progress in political and socio-economic objectives within its member states. However, in order to maintain its influence and address emerging challenges, the EU needs to adopt a more assertive geopolitical stance. This article explores the importance of forging security compacts with its eastern neighbours and implementing corporate sustainability due diligence. By examining the need for stronger security partnerships and the implications of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), we can better understand the EU's role in promoting security and sustainability.

1. Strengthening Security Partnerships:
   The EU has traditionally focused on political and socio-economic objectives, neglecting security and defense partnerships with its eastern neighbours. This has created a gap in addressing hard security issues and has allowed other powers, such as the United States, to fill this void. To rectify this, the EU should establish stronger security partnerships with countries like Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. Additionally, compacts with countries in North Africa, such as Tunisia and Morocco, can further enhance the EU's geopolitical influence.

Actionable Advice:
a. Enhance intelligence cooperation: The EU should prioritize intelligence cooperation with its eastern neighbours, leveraging the expertise of countries like the United States to strengthen ties and support local armed forces.
b. Increase funding for security initiatives: Larger EU member states should actively contribute resources to security cooperation efforts, ensuring that initiatives are well-funded and coordinated.
c. Address corruption and dysfunction in the security sector: By prioritizing reform and combating corruption within the security sector of Eastern Partnership countries, the EU can foster stability and resilience.

2. Implementing the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD):
   The recent agreement on the CSDDD highlights the EU's commitment to promoting corporate sustainability. The directive imposes due diligence obligations on large companies regarding their impacts on human rights and the environment. While initially applicable to EU companies meeting specific criteria, there is potential for its expansion to include the financial sector and non-EU companies in high-risk sectors.

Actionable Advice:
a. Strengthen due diligence obligations: The EU should enhance the CSDDD by requiring all in-scope companies, including those in the financial sector, to adopt plans that align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
b. Expand the scope of impacts: The list of impacts on human rights and the environment should be expanded to ensure comprehensive coverage and promote responsible business practices.
c. Conduct impact assessments: To ensure the effectiveness of the CSDDD, the EU should regularly review its application and consider including all activities of the financial sector based on thorough impact assessments.

Conclusion:
The EU's pursuit of stronger security partnerships with its eastern neighbours and the implementation of the CSDDD are crucial steps in addressing emerging challenges and promoting stability. By prioritizing intelligence cooperation, increased funding, and addressing corruption, the EU can strengthen its geopolitical influence. Simultaneously, the comprehensive adoption of the CSDDD and its expansion to include the financial sector and non-EU companies will promote corporate sustainability and responsible business practices. These actions will enhance the EU's role as a global actor, safeguarding security and sustainability in the region and beyond.