European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
foreign policy
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Foreign policy [Policy Podcast]
European Union (EU) action beyond its borders often requires a combination of approaches. The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies, but in the field, issues are so intertwined that more often than not a single tool is not sufficient. Continue reading
The EU and Middle East and North Africa [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The European Union held its first ever summit with the Arab League in February, highlighting the growing importance of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in tackling problems such as security, terrorism, migration and energy supply. Continue reading
United Nations reform
At the 72nd United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 18 September 2017, 120 countries expressed their commitment to the reforms proposed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Since 1946, the UN has undergone a number of reforms either in whole or in part. Continue reading
Foreign policy and defence challenges [What Think Tanks are Thinking]
The European Union will face increasingly serious foreign policy and defence challenges in 2019. The current Administration in the United States seems to be abandoning its traditional role of the ‘benign protector’ of the rules-based international order. Continue reading
Outcome of the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 13-14 December 2018
The meetings of EU Heads of State or Government that took place on 13-14 December 2018 dealt with a more extensive agenda than originally planned. Continue reading
2018: Challenges and choices [What Think Tanks are thinking]
After 2017 brought optimism for the European Union, 2018 has proved a year of tougher challenges and choices. It was a time of slower growth, with the spectre of a global trade war. Continue reading
Outcome of the meetings of EU Heads of State or Government, 17-18 October 2018
Although Brexit was the most anticipated point on the agenda, the European Council (Article 50) meeting of 17 October 2018 did not make any significant progress towards finalising a withdrawal agreement; nor did it decide to hold a special meeting on Brexit in November. Continue reading
Russia [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The policies of President Vladimir Putin, who was re-elected earlier this year, pose a dilemma for the European Union and the United States, with some observers accusing him of trying to sabotage Western liberal democracy and others saying that he wants to regain the position of global player that the Soviet Union once occupied. Continue reading
The 2018 G7 Summit: Issues to watch
On 8 and 9 June 2018, the leaders of the G7 will meet for the 44th G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec, for the annual summit of the informal grouping of seven of the world’s major advanced economies. The summit takes place amidst growing tensions between the US and other G7 countries over security and multilateralism. Continue reading
Resurgent Russia [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Russia is increasingly assertive in foreign and security policy, posing a challenge to the post-Cold War, rules-based international order. Following the annexation of Crimea, conflict with Ukraine and intervention in Syria, Russia stands accused of seeking to influence electoral outcomes in the United States and some European countries. Vladimir Putin looks set to be re-elected as Russian President later this month. Continue reading
President Trump’s record to date [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Donald Trump has made a number of highly controversial decisions during his first 13 months as US President – whether on foreign trade, climate change, migration, taxation or health care. Continue reading
The EU’s Eastern Partnership [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The European Union and its Eastern Partnership neighbours hold their fifth summit on 24 November 2017, to take stock of the eight-year-old cooperation programme and map ways to strengthen political and economic ties. Continue reading
How Congress and President shape US foreign policy
Written by Micaela Del Monte and Elena Lazarou, The United States Constitution regulates the conduct of American foreign policy through a system of checks and balances. The Constitution provides both Congress and the President, as the legislative and executive branches respectively, with the legal authority to shape relations with foreign nations. It recognises that only … Continue reading
How the EU budget is spent: Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace
Written by Alina Dobreva with Philipp Wegner, The EU contributes to the prevention of emerging crises and to an effective response to existing ones through the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), launched in 2014. The instrument provides funds for conflict prevention, ensuring capacity and preparedness to address pre- and post-crisis situations and peacebuilding. … Continue reading
Public opinion and EU foreign policies: exploring the expectations gap
Written by Clare Ferguson, A recent Eurobarometer survey looked at the perceptions and expectations of Europeans regarding EU action, including the foreign policy, and global promotion of democracy and peace policy fields. The survey, commissioned for the only directly elected European Union institution, the European Parliament, identifies the gaps between citizens’ expectations and EU performance … Continue reading
Risk and resilience in foreign policy
Written by Patryk Pawlak Graphics by Christian Dietrich The complexity of risks affecting the world is illustrated by the interconnected nature of conflicts, natural hazards, water shortages and state collapse. The current migratory challenge Europe is facing is yet more evidence that distance or the natural borders inherent in seas, mountains and deserts are of … Continue reading
US Congress and US Foreign Policy
Even if the President and the Executive (State Department, Pentagon) seem to run US foreign policy, Congress still has an important role. The President takes the lead in defence and diplomacy, particularly during crises. Congress, on the other hand, can strongly influence long-term diplomatic strategy, economic and development aid, economic sanctions and military aid. In … Continue reading
EU financial instruments for external action
6 language versions available in PDF format EU-Finanzinstrumente für auswärtiges Handeln Instrumentos financieros de la UE para la acción exterior Les instruments financiers de l’Union pour l’action extérieure Strumenti finanziari dell’UE per l’azione esterna Instrumenty finansowania działań zewnętrznych UE EU financial instruments for external action New proposed regulations for European Union (EU) financial instruments for … Continue reading
Iran’s nuclear programme: 10 years of talks
On 15 October 2013, a new round of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme began between Iran and the group of major world powers known as the E3+3 (the group is also commonly referred to as the P5+1 and consists of France, Germany, the UK, China, Russia and the US). A second session was held from 7-10 November, … Continue reading
EU-Mauritania fisheries partnership agreement
Fisheries agreements with non-EU countries are intended to allow EU vessels to fish for surplus stocks in a third country’s exclusive economic zone in return for a financial contribution. They are negotiated by the European Commission based on a Council mandate, and ratified by the Council with the consent of the European Parliament (EP). The … Continue reading
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