Diplomacy at the Individual Level: The Role of EU Special Representatives in European Foreign Policy

  • Dominik Tolksdorf
Chapter
Part of the The European Union in International Affairs Series book series (EUIA)

Abstract

By creating the position of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the EU Commission (HRVP) and by establishing the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Lisbon Treaty changed the conduct of EU foreign policy significantly. One diplomatic instrument that has remained intact is the European Union Special Representatives (EUSRs), who are appointed by the Council and operate under the responsibility of the HR/VP. What is the added value of the EUSRs for EU foreign policy and why have they been retained as a policy tool? This chapter will analyse the role of the EUSRs in the implementation of the Union’s foreign policy and particularly focus on their value for EU diplomacy at the individual level.

Keywords

Foreign Policy European Parliament Lisbon Treaty Council Decision Security Sector Reform 
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© Dominik Tolksdorf 2015

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  • Dominik Tolksdorf

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