Upholding and Promoting EU Values in the Wider World: The Role of FTAs

This opening chapter articulates the main objective of the monograph by presenting its central research focus. It begins by asserting that the European Union’s commitment to promoting and safeguarding its foundational values externally is not a matter of political discretion, but a legal obligation enshrined in its constitutional framework. The discussion then turns to the specific instruments through which the EU pursues this mandate, with particular attention to the “Trade for All” strategy and the deployment of free trade agreements (FTAs) as key policy tools. A concise introduction to the nature and functioning of EU FTAs is subsequently provided. The following paragraph is dedicated to the formulation of the research question and a detailed account of the methodological framework adopted. By analyzing “second-generation” FTAs, the research aims to examine their role in influencing partner countries’ legal systems, shaping international law, and addressing global challenges. Through a comparative approach, focusing on patterns and trends across multiple FTAs, it seeks to ascertain the EU’s success in leveraging trade policy to foster peace, security, and adherence to international norms, while balancing the promotion of values with strategic interests. The chapter ends with a synopsis of the book’s overall structure, including a brief overview of the chapters that follow.