MAYR-HARTING Thomas - The European Union and Bi- and Multilateral Diplomacy (20h)

This course will provide students with a practitioner's view on the evolving role of the EU in bi- und multilateral diplomacy. In its introductory part, it will examine the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on the EU's capacity to “speak with one voice” in foreign affairs. It will discuss the respective roles of the different EU actors, including EU Delegations, but also look at the influence EU Member States continue to exert, e.g. as Security Council members or in formats such as the “Normandy Four”. The EU's ability to combine, in an “integrated approach”, traditional diplomatic action with its instruments in security policy, trade, development and humanitarian aid will be analysed as well. A second segment of the course will be dedicated to the EU's role at the United Nations, with a focus on its capacity to coordinate the positions of and speak for all EU Member States. Specific cases, such as UN Security Council Resolution 2240 (2015) authorising “Operation Sophia”, will be studied. In its third part, the course will look at real-life examples for EU diplomatic action in a bilateral/regional context, e.g. when developing common EU positions on Turkey and Russia; preparing Council conclusions and joint statements in the context of the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood Policy; or engaging in conflict regulation efforts in eastern Europe. // ECTS Card

Professor: Thomas MAYR-HARTING