De la Bruxelles la Cloud: cum își reinventează Uniunea Europeană leadershipul în politica externă prin diplomația digitală [Articol]

Abstract

This study investigates the adaptation of the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy leadership in the digital era through the strategic implementation of digital diplomacy. As traditional diplomatic practices transform under the influence of technological advancements and global informational interdependence, the EU encounters both opportunities and challenges in extending its values, narratives, and influence beyond its borders. Utilizing theories of public diplomacy, soft power, and normative leadership, this research examines the institutionalization of digital diplomacy within the European External Action Service and across Member State diplomatic networks. It further evaluates how the EU’s digital diplomatic strategies serve as instruments of crisis communication, narrative competition, and symbolic legitimacy, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions with Russia and China. This study posits that digital diplomacy transcends being a mere communication tool, functioning instead as a mechanism for reconfiguring EU foreign policy leadership, thereby enhancing both visibility and normative appeal in a rapidly evolving international landscape.