Keuleire & Delreux: The Foreign Policy of the European Union: Actors and Systems

Flashcards covering the institutional framework, key actors, and policy-making methods of the European Union's foreign policy system.

Community method

A policy-making method based on the principle of common interest, involving institutional equilibrium between the Commission, the Council, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Intergovernmental method

A policy-making method where national governments retain control over policy-making, characterized by the dominant position of the Council and the application of the unanimity rule.

European Council

The EU body consisting of heads of state and government and the Commission President that provides strategic leadership and defines general political directions and priorities.

Foreign Affairs Council (FAC)

A Council configuration that brings together member states' foreign ministers to deal with external trade, development cooperation, humanitarian aid, CFSP, and CSDP.

Gymnich meeting

An informal Council meeting for foreign affairs ministers, organized by each rotating Council Presidency and named after the German castle where the first such meeting occurred in 1974.

COREPER (Committee of Permanent Representatives)

The most senior preparatory body of the Council, operating in two formations (COREPER I and II) to oversee preparatory work and determine agendas for Council meetings.

Political and Security Committee (PSC/COPS)

A committee composed of member state ambassadors that monitors the international situation, contributes to policy definition, and exercises political control over crisis management operations.

A-points

Issues agreed upon at lower levels in the Council's substructures (like COREPER or PSC) that are approved by ministers during formal sessions without discussion.

ERTA principle

A legal principle established by the Court of Justice stating that the EU has the competence to act externally on all issues for which it has internal competence ('in foro interno, in foro externo').

DG DEVCO

The Directorate General for Development and Cooperation — EuropeAid, responsible for development policy, poverty reduction, and managing financial instruments like the European Neighbourhood Instrument.

Foreign Policy Instruments Service (FPIS)

A Commission service housed within the EEAS responsible for the Instrument for Stability, election observation missions, and the financial management of CFSP.

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP)

A 'double-hatted' official who chairs the Foreign Affairs Council and serves as a Vice-President of the Commission to bridge institutional divides in EU foreign policy.

European External Action Service (EEAS)

The EU's diplomatic service that assists the High Representative and is composed of officials from the Council, the Commission, and seconded national diplomats.

EU Delegations

A network of approximately 140 representations in third countries and international organizations that act under the authority of the HR/VP to implement EU positions.

EU Military Staff (EUMS)

The EEAS structure responsible for early warning, evaluation, and strategic planning for military CSDP missions.

Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC)

The entity within the EEAS responsible for the planning, deployment, conduct, and review of civilian CSDP crisis management missions.

EU Special Representatives (EUSRs)

Officials who receive mandates to deal with particular policy issues or crises in specific countries or regions under the authority of the HR/VP.

Consent procedure

A power held by the European Parliament that allows it to veto the ratification of international agreements, including trade and association agreements.

EIDHR

The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, a budget chapter created by the EP to fund human rights and democracy promotion initiatives.

European Defence Agency (EDA)

An agency established in 2004 to support the Council and member states in improving the EU's defence capabilities for the CSDP.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

The world's only transition bank, which operates under a mandate to support states committed to multi-party democracy and pluralism.

Foreign policy by substitution

A phenomenon where EU external activities are implemented by non-state actors, such as NGOs, private companies, and consultancies, due to heavy bureaucratic requirements.