The second half of the 21st century is becoming a period of great challenges for the European Union. Their dynamics and scale mean that the problems facing the EU today are often unprecedented in the entire history of the organisation. The rapidly changing political and economic situation in the world, including recent developments at the EU's borders, require EU Member States to take a number of new measures and face new challenges. In addition, the economic crisis and the prolonged wait for a clear economic recovery in the EU itself are contributing to the emergence of new phenomena, such as growing anti-European sentiment and a crisis of internal solidarity. The changing situation also clearly highlights growing structural problems in the economic and social dimensions. In this context, the European Union is currently facing a number of strategic challenges in the political, economic and social spheres.