Science diplomacy of the European Union in the time of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyse the essence and specificity of the European Union’s (EU) science diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this aim, approaches in defining the concept of science diplomacy and its genesis have been analysed; an attempt has been made to define the specificity of the EU science diplomacy, and the analysis has been conducted of the EU’s actions during the COVID-19 pandemic that fall within the defining scope of science diplomacy. The article refers to the concept of strategic autonomy of the EU as a broader political formula, of which science diplomacy should be a part. The author also formulates directions for changes that will clarify the place and role of EU science diplomacy in the future. Primary sources (normative acts, policy documents), and available scholar literature and reports on science diplomacy and international scientific cooperation were used for the analysis. The list of activities implemented by the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic was created, dividing them according to the criterion of types of science diplomacy and the direction of impact. This allows us to conclude that EU science diplomacy is a set of activities that support and complement the activities of the Member States, as well as coordination activities in those areas, where the community response creates added value. This is important to determine the further development of EU science diplomacy and prepare the organization for future crises requiring a supranational response using scientific cooperation and expertise in the decision-making process.

Keywords

• Science diplomacy
• COVID-19 pandemic
• the European Union
• EU