Bangladesh, March 27 -- As the European Unions 27 presidents and prime ministers convene for a crucial summit, the focus is not solely on internal affairs. Rather, the gathering comes at a time when external pressures loom large, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the blocs future trajectory.

Dubbed an “arc of instability”, a vast geography stretching from sub-Saharan Africa through North Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and South and Central Asia, presents a complex tapestry of challenges. From escalating tensions in the Middle East to the looming specter of famine in North Africa, the EU finds itself confronted with a myriad of pressing issues demanding urgent attention.

In the Middle East, the EUs ...