This textbook offers a foundational introduction to the European Union's core values and how they shape its external policy. Each chapter explores a key topic through its definitions, historical background, and major conceptual debates, alongside the EU's tools and strategies for putting these values into practice.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to real-world applications, featuring regional case studies that ground the theory in practice. Each chapter also examines the challenges and critiques surrounding its topic before looking ahead to future developments.

To support learning and further study, chapters include key reference documents, pedagogical resources, and curated links to relevant online materials.