EU's strategic partnerships lack content

Effective multilateralism is a key principle of European Union foreign policy: only in co-operation with others can the EU's objectives be achieved peacefully, notably with emerging powers such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, commonly known as the BRICs.

Although they often have different worldviews and competing objectives, all are increasingly interlinked economically, and all are confronted with the same global challenges.

To engage with these global actors, the EU has cre...