The European Union as an international actor History Institutions Contentions

The history of the European Communities international cooperation The Plan for a European Defence Community (EDC), the Pleven Plan of 1954 WEU, the Paris Agreements of Oct Strasbourg decision quarterly meetings of the foreign ministers The Fouchet Plan 1961 The Elysee Treaty /The Franco-German Treaty of Cooperation- January 1963 The Luxembourg Report 1970 The European Political Cooperation

The European Political Cooperation- arrangements Objectives to ensure, through regular exchanging of information and consultations a better mutual understanding of the great international problems to strengthen their solidarity by promoting the harmonization of their views, the coordination of their position, and where it appears possible or desirable, common actions (Luxembourg Report, Part II, Section 1)

The European Political Cooperation- arrangements Institutions EC foreign ministers meetings twice a year Political Committee- foreign ministries’ political directors meet 4 times a year Working groups European Correspondents- liaison officers The relation with the European Commission and the European Parliament

The European Political Cooperation- analysis Intergovernmental direction: EC foreign ministers meet at least twice a year; EC presidency chairs EPC meetings and provides administrative support as needed; crisis procedures initiated by the Presidency if necessary Transgovernmental support: Political Committee prepares ministerial meetings and meets at least 4 times a year; European Correspondents provide liaison between the capitals; working groups- geographical/ functional analysis for EPC Linkages with the EC: Commission invited to make known its views on EPC; biannual colloquy with EP Political Committee and annual report on progress on EPC Obligations: states consults on all questions of foreign policy (ME Smith, 2004 Chapter 3)

The EC/ EU as an international player- enduring tensions Rhetoric and achievement- the economic power is not matched by political influence Process of Europeanisation and national foreign policies: at the level of administration; at political level- foreign ministers and heads of state and government Tension between small and large MSs. Old and new MSs. Civilian power Europe vs. the defence project