The European Union is one of the world's biggest economies. However, its role as an international actor is ambiguous and it's not always able to transform its political power into effective external policies. The development of an 'assertive' European Union challenges the image of an internal project aimed at economic integration and international relations theories based on unitary state actors. This book systematically links the EU's external relations to existing political theories, showing how existing theories need to be modified in order to deal with specific characteristics of the EU as an international actor.

The European Union has established itself as a significant international legal actor. Understanding the EU's actions on the international plane requires an understanding of its constantly evolving constitutional and legal framework. This book presents the law of EU external relations in a concise and accessible manner for students, practitioners, and academics in the field. It combines chapters on the general basis of the Union's external action and its relation to international law with chapters which further explore the law and practice of the EU in the specialized fields of external action such as the common commercial policy, development cooperation, cooperation with third countries, humanitarian aid, the enlargement and neighbourhood policies, the external environmental policy, and the common foreign and security policy, as well as a chapter specifically dedicated to EU sanctions and countermeasures. Carefully selected primary documents are accompanied with analytic commentary on the issues they raise and their significance for the overall structure of EU external relations law. The primary materials selected include many important legal documents that are hard to find elsewhere but give a vital insight into the operation of EU external relations law in practice.

International Relations and the European Union takes a unique approach by incorporating the study of the EU's world role into the wider field of international relations. As the most comprehensive introduction to the EU's international relations written by leading experts in the field, it is the key text for anyone wishing to understand the EU's role in the contemporary world. Beginning with an examination of theoretical frameworks and approaches, the book goes on to address the institutions and processes that surround the EU's international relations. Key policy areas, such as security and trade, are outlined in detail, alongside the EU's relations with specific countries and regions. Updates for the fourth edition include new chapters on the EU's relationship with Africa and Asia, coverage of the implementation of the EU's foreign policy, and exploration of how the EU's international relations relate historically to the European integration process, and the contemporary issue of migration.

The sheer size of the European Union in economic, trade and financial terms makesit a world player. It has a web of agreements with most countries and regions ofthe globe. The biggest international trader and home to the euro the worldʹssecond currency the EU spends 500 million a month on assistance projects inall five continents.The European Union is putting in place a common foreign and security policy sothat its members can act together on the world stage as a united force for stability,cooperation and understanding. At the same time, the EU is developing adefence capability and has undertaken its first peacekeeping missions. It is alsoengaged in fighting terrorism.By helping build security and stability in the wider world, the EU is also helpingto make life safer for people within its own borders.The EU is particularly active in promoting the human aspect.

In today’s increasingly complex and interdependent world, the role of parliaments in external affairs remains a relatively under explored topic of research. The multiple patterns of global governance are mostly dominated by the executive branches of government, with parliaments relegated to the sidelines. This insightful book aims to challenge this dominant perspective and demonstrate the increased networking of parliaments both within the EU and with external actors outside the EU. It not only sheds light on EU parliamentary cooperation and networking, but also reveals the growing scope and role of parliamentary scrutiny, control and conflict mediation.

This volume examines the legal and constitutional foundations of the EU's external relations. It focuses on the EU's external powers and objectives, on the instruments, principles and actors of external policies, and on the legal effects of international agreements and international law.

This volume brings together senior practitioners and academic specialists to consider how the EU’s new foreign policy has been evolving and how the various actors are maintaining the holistic approach intended by the draftsmen of the 2009 Lisbon Treaty.