One year after war irrupted on the continent once more, the European Union has shown remarkable resilience: the adoption of sanctions against Russia, the financial, humanitarian and military support given to Ukraine and the diversification of its energy supply sources have confirmed, once again, that Europe is increasingly adept at responding to crises.

Of course, it is too early to claim victory. Its room for manoeuvre remains limited and its responses must take account of the mistakes of previous decades that have now been highlighted by the reality of the present situation: a lack of investment in its collective defence, a certain naivety in the choice of its dependencies and an excessive faith in the positive political effects of free trade.

And yet the European Union's ability to implement effective coordinated responses and its determination to fight for the freedom of a country under attack has been unwavering, to the extent that the followers of a noxious "every-man-for-himself" attitude have been won over, making it even more attractive for others to join this ambitious project.

Faced with a succession of unprecedented shocks worldwide and caught in the stand-off between America and China, the European model of economic growth, despite the disruptive impact of inflation, is being called upon to renew itself, with a view to strategic autonomy.

This is why the Schuman Report on Europe - the State of the Union 2023 is an essential guide. Through its original analyses of the risks posed and opportunities presented by this crucial moment it constitutes a compass for navigating the complex reality which the European Union now faces. With a wealth of new maps and a unique set of commented statistics, it guides readers who want to understand the main issues at stake, likewise those wishing to contribute to reflection on the construction of tomorrow's Europe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Managing Director of the Robert Schuman Foundation, former auditor of the 56th national session of the Institute of Higher National Defence Studies (IHEDN), Pascale Joannin is the editor of the Schuman Report on Europe, the State of the Union, Marie B Editions, and co-editor of the Permanent Atlas of the European Union, Marie B Editions (5th edition), 2021. She is the author of L'Europe, une chance pour la femme, a Robert Schuman Foundation Note, n° 22, 2004. She has published numerous studies on European issues.