Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 10/2014

Cardiff: Birthplace of a new Transatlantic Narrative?

Jo Coelmont

July 2014

EGMONT – The Royal Institute for International Relations

Abstract

Cardiff has the potential to turn into a “great meeting”, if the focus is on forging a new and attractive narrative to underpin a solid transatlantic security relationship, in which NATO finds its place. But Europeans must become serious on defence – and not only because the US asks for it. Otherwise, the EU and for sure the European States will become strategic bystanders and even objects of great power competition. That would be a real game-changer. That is why, in Cardiff, “we” ought to be ambitious enough to deal with the real issues, including the relationship between NATO and the CSDP.