Foreign Economic Relations Of The European Community

This timely book explores the complexities of the EU’s international economic relations in the context of its commitment to the rule of law both within the Union and internationally. Bringing together diverse perspectives from both EU and international law scholars and practitioners, the book investigates some of the most controversial and lively issues in the field of EU external relations and the relationship between EU law and international law.

The European Union is a key player in international economic relations, but its exact role and how it goes about making decisions and negotiating is often poorly understood within and especially outside the EU. When does the EU play a proactive role and when does it follow? When is the EU a distinct actor and when is it just one level in a multi- level process of negotiation in which the member states are the main actors? Does the EU possess normative power in external economic relations? Does the EU have the capability and willingness to use its still significant economic power? European Union Economic Diplomacy provides the first comprehensive analysis of the factors that determine the role of the EU in economic diplomacy. In an up-to-date treatment that includes consideration of the impact of the Treaty of Lisbon, it contains a comprehensive explanation of decision making and negotiating processes in the core areas of trade, financial market regulation, environmental diplomacy and development co-operation. The book is intended for those interested in EU policy making, but also those who simply need to understand how the EU functions in the field of economic diplomacy.

The European Union is a key actor in international economic governance. Through its foreign economic policies it plays a central role in the negotiation of international trade agreements, the global regulation of the financial services sector, and the provision of aid to developing countries. This book shows how principal-agent theory can be used to shed new light on this complex of policy areas. In particular, the contributions to this volume analyze delegation, control, and agent strategies in a variety of principal-agent relationships shaping the EU’s foreign economic policies: mainly those involving interest groups and governments; governments and the European Commission; and the European Union and international organizations. The chapters, written by leading experts in the field, offer empirically-rich studies of various areas of the EU’s external economic relations including trade, financial regulation, accounting standards and global regulation through the G7/G8. The book is aimed at researchers and advanced students interested in the EU, international economic relations, and principal-agent theory. This book was published as a special issue of the Journal of European Public Policy.

Providing a wealth of primary source data on the European Community after the accession of Spain and Portugal, Alfred Tovias assesses the changes - demographic, economic and cultural - that have occurred thus far as a result of the third enlargement and posits that a further result will be the development of new EC foreign policies. Tovias traces the evolving character of the EC and, given the newest members' foreign policy affinities - and antipathies - explores the impact of Spain and Portugal on the Community's foreign economic policymaking. He also discusses present and likely future policies toward specific geographic regions. Although he sees an enhanced foreign policy profile for the enlarged EC, his data do not support the notion of a significant change in EC-Latin American relations, nor of a Mediterranean lobby.

In an incisive and lively discussion International Relations of the EU examines both the economic and security dimensions of European Union external relations. The book adopts an innovative approach that combines International Relations with International Political Economy. Set against a backdrop of EU enlargement and disarray over military intervention in Iraq, International Relations of the EU is a timely contribution to our understanding of the Eu's role as an international actor. The text is suitable for advanced undergraduate courses in Politics and International Relations.

The External Economic Dimensions of the European Union focuses on the broad range of recent initiatives taken by the EU to reinforce its common external economic policy in a rapidly changing environment. The prospects of the EU are increasingly interrelated with the dynamics of the world economy. In the multipolar post-Cold War economy, the EU faces many uncertainties and new challenges. The transatlantic link still dominates the EU's external relations but the cohesion of the Euro-American relatioship has been tested severely. Moreover, the transition of Central and Eastern Europe and the rise of new growth poles in Asia and Latin America have not only creates new opportunities for trade and investment but intensified international competition at the same time. The volume is organised in two parts. Part I focuses on the competitiveness of the EU and its position in the world economy as well as on specific aspects of its external economic policies including the restructuring of the Common Agricultural Policy and the enlargement of the EU membership. Part II is exclusively devoted to the regional dimension of the external policy of the EU and focuses on the rapidly evolving relationship with the other Triad powers, the USA and Japan, the neighbouring countries and the emerging markets. The book brings together a range of distinguished authors who analyse the wide range of initiatives from the perspective of economics, political science and law. It is a timely and essential work that will reward the attention of policymakers and interested academics throughout the world.

In an incisive and lively discussion International Relations of the EU examines both the economic and security dimensions of European Union external relations. The book adopts an innovative approach that combines International Relations with International Political Economy. Set against a backdrop of EU enlargement and disarray over military intervention in Iraq, International Relations of the EU is a timely contribution to our understanding of the Eu's role as an international actor. The text is suitable for advanced undergraduate courses in Politics and International Relations.