The rivalry of today’s world should induce the EU to act as a cohesive force. Yet, EU countries are still struggling to focus on the common interest. The 10th anniversary of the European External Action Service thus constitutes an opportune moment to reconsider its contribution to EU foreign policy. This report on the EEAS is the fruit of a research cooperation to which SIEPS has contributed. (January 2021)

The outcome of the UK referendum on membership of the European Union prompted a considerable interest in the modalities of a member state’s withdrawal from the EU. This new European Policy Analysis examines the specific provisions governing this process, viz.

Contentious changes in the laws of Poland and Hungary have deepened concerns about disregard for the rule of law in the European Union. This analysis suggests that Member States have entrusted the Union with a legal mandate and means to ensure respect for the rule of law, including at national level.

In July 2010, the European Council decided on the organisation and functiong of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The EEAS is currently under review, and this new SIEPS report offers – for the first time – an article-by-article analysis of the Council Decision.

This special SIEPS publication aims to contribute, in practical legal terms, to the review of the organization and functioning of the European External Action Service (EEAS). In particular, it offers specific recommendations for the amendment of Council Decision 2010/427/EU on which the Service’s operation is based.

With the Treaty of Lisbon, the European Union has been formally instructed to “develop a special relationship with neighbouring countries” (Article 8 TEU). This new European Policy Analysis examines the nature and object of this broad EU ‘neighbourhood competence’.

Respect for human rights is a value upon which the European Union is founded, and a precondition for an aspirant state to be considered as a candidate for membership. Contrasting the fundamental rights discourse developing in the EU enlargement context and the situation within the EU, this European Policy Analysis shows the recurrent distortion between internal and external EU fundamental rights regimes, and sheds light on the on-going discussion to find ways of addressing it.

Often presented as the "most successful EU policy", enlargement has undoubtedly been one of the most significant undertakings of the European Union over the last two decades. The recent admission of numerous states to the Union has however exposed various shortcomings in the way that policy is carried out.

During the past months, we have witnessed increasing activity regarding the establishment of a European External Action Service (EEAS) – one of the most emblematic innovations that the Treaty of Lisbon introduces to strengthen the EU external action. While the details of the EEAS organisation and functioning are still under (intense) discussion, this Analysis sheds light on the political and legal contexts in which the EEAS is being set up, and raises some questions as to its possible contribution to the development of a common European diplomacy.