Home >

Issues >

1/2025 >

Article

1 2025 SE_okladka

ISSUE: 1/2025

  • Volume 29
  • Number 1
  • 2025

Subscribe NEWSLETTER

Studia Europejskie –
Studies in European Affairs

ISSN: 1428-149X
e-ISSN: 2719-3780

Ccbync License

License

Articles published in the journal are under a Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial – No Derivatives 4.0 International License

Development Of Scientific Journals

Publication co-financed by Ministry of Science and Higher Education pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Science of 3 August 2021 (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 1514) on the “Development of Scientific Journals” programme.

Publikacja dofinansowana przez Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego na podstawie rozporządzenia Ministra Edukacji i Nauki z 3 sierpnia 2021 r. (Dz. U. z 2021 r. poz. 1514) w sprawie programu „Rozwój czasopism naukowych”.

Idub Logo

Publication co-financed by the University of Warsaw within the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme.

Czasopismo otrzymało dofinasowanie w ramach Programu „Inicjatywa Doskonałości – Uczelnia Badawcza”.

European External Action Service: Beyond Westphalian Diplomacy

Danuta Kabat-Rudnicka

Keywords:
 CFSP Common Foreign and Security Policy Common Security and Defence Policy CSDP Diplomacy European External Action Service European Union International Order Westphalian Order

Abstract

Currently, various non-state entities, including regional integration arrangements, are increasingly gaining in importance alongside nation-states in the international arena. One such non-state entity is the European Union, which has proven on many occasions that it can make decisions that are crucial not only for the European Union itself but also for its Member States, be they in connection with financial and economic crises, migration, COVID-19, or, as has been more recently the case, the war in Ukraine. And while recent events have highlighted the enduring importance of states in the international arena, this does not undermine the significance of non-state actors, including the European Union. Much like states, the European Union conducts its own foreign policy, including in the form of diplomatic involvement. Hence, there is a need not only to establish and maintain relationships and ensure diplomatic representation with other political communities, both state and non-state, but also to develop appropriate structures. In the case of the European Union, such an organisational framework is provided for by the European External Action Service (EEAS).

This article highlights the increasing role of non-state actors in the international arena, using the European External Action Service as a reference point. It argues that, while diplomacy has traditionally been the domain of states, non-state actors are now becoming actively involved in diplomatic practices, thereby redefining modern diplomacy. The study employs dogmatic, legal-institutional, and comparative methods.

References

Balfour, R. and Raik, K. (2015) National Adaptation and Survival in a Changing European Diplomacy in Spence, D. and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 257–273. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_14.

Bátora, J. and Spence, D (2015) Introduction: The EEAS as a Catalyst of Diplomatic Innovation in Spence, D and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1–16. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_1.

Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue: Agreement on the path to normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia. Available at: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/belgrade-pristina-dialogue-eu-proposal-agreement-path-normalisation-between-kosovo-and-serbia_en (Access 30.10.2024).

Berridge, G.R. (2022) Diplomacy. Theory and Practice. Cham: Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-85931-2.

Blockmans, S. (2013) EU global peace diplomacy: shaping the law on statehood in Kochenov, D. and Amtenbrink, F. (eds.) The European Union’s Shaping of the International Legal Order. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 130–168. DOI: 10.1017/CBO9781139519625.010.

Carta, C. and Duke, S. (2015) Inside the European External Action Service’s Institutional Sinews: An Institutional and Organizational Analysis in

Balfour, R., Carta, C. and Raik, K. (eds.) The European External Action Service and National Foreign Ministries Convergence or Divergence? Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 55–71.

Chojan, A. (2012) “Europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych – postęp czy regres w politycznej integracji Europy?”, Myśl Ekonomiczna i Polityczna. No. 1, pp. 142–179.

Consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (2016) Official Journal C202, 7.06., pp. 1–388. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.C_.2016.202.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AC%3A2016%3A202%3ATOC (Access 30.10.2024).

Council Decision 2010/427/EU (2010) on establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service Official Journal L201, 3.08., pp. 30–40. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32010D0427 (Access 30.10.2024).

de Baere, G. and Wessel, R.A. (2015) EU Law and the EEAS: Of Complex Competences and Constitutional Consequences in Spence, D. and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 175–191. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_10.

Declaration by the High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU on the UN Secretary General’s appeal for an immediate global ceasefire (2020). Available at: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/04/03/declaration-by-the-high-representative-josep-borrell-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-un-secretary-general-s-appeal-for-an-immediate-global-ceasefire (Access 30.10.2024).

de Langlois, M. (ed.) (2014) “Approche globale et Union européenne: le cas de la Corne de l’Afrique”, Etude de l’IRSEM. No. 35. Available at: https://www.irsem.fr/data/files/irsem/documents/document/file/889/Etude_IRSEM_n35.pdf (Access 30.10.2024).

Drzewicka, B. (2008) Idea uznania różnicy elementem struktury późnowestfalskiego ładu międzynarodowego in Marzęda, K. and Pietraś, M. (eds.) Późnowestwalski ład międzynarodowy. Lublin: UMCS, pp. 135–148.

EEAS (2022a) Annual Activity Report. Available at: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2023/2022%20EEAS%20Annual%20Activity%20Report.pdf (Access 30.10.2024).

EEAS (2022b) Horn of Africa: Remarks on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP debate on the EU’s strategic relationship and partnership with the region. Available at: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/horn-africa-remarks-behalf-high-representativevice-president-josep-borrell-ep-debate-eu%E2%80%99s_en (Access 30.10.2024).

EEAS (2023) Annual Activity Report. Available at: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2024/Annual%20Activity%20 Report%202023%20EEAS.pdf (Access 30.10.2024).

EU Regional Advisory and Coordination Cell for the Sahel. Available at: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eu-racc-sahel_en?s=4439 (Access 30.10.2024).

European Commission (2013) EU’s response to the “Arab Spring”: The State-of-Play after Two Years. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/de/MEMO_13_81 (Access 30.10.2024).

European Security Strategy. A secure Europe in a better world (2003) Available at: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/30823/qc7809568enc.pdf (Access 30.10.2024).

EU sanctions against Russia explained. Available at: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions-against-russia/sanctions-against-russia-explained (Access 30.10.2024).

Falk, F. (2002) “Revisiting Westphalia, Discovering Post-Westphalia”, The Journal of Ethics. Vol. 6(4), pp. 311–352. DOI: 10.2307/25115737.

Ferreira-Pereira, L.C. and Smith, M. (2021) The European Union’s Strategic Partnerships. Global Diplomacy in a Contested World. Cham: Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-66061-1.

Gatti, M. (2016) European External Action Service: Promoting Coherence Through Autonomy and Coordination. Leiden, Boston: Brill Nijhoff. DOI: 10.1163/9789004323612.

Global Strategy (2016) Shared Vision Common Action: A Stronger Europe. A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy. Available at: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/eugs_review_web_0.pdf (Access 30.10.2024).

Helwig, N. (2015) The High Representative of the Union: The Quest for Leadership in EU Foreign Policy in Spence, D. and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 87–104. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_5.

Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the EU’s comprehensive approach to external conflict and crises (2013) JOIN, 11.12., pp. 1–12. Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52013JC0030 (Access 30.10.2024).

Keohane, R. and Nye, J. (eds.) (1972) Transnational Relations and World Politics. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. DOI: 10.4159/harvard.9780674593152.

Keohane, R. and Nye, J. (2012) Power and Interdependence. New York: Longman.

Kostanyan, H. and Orbie, J. (2013) “The EEAS’ discretionary power within the Eastern Partnership: in search of the highest possible denominator”, Southeast European and Black Sea Studies. Vol. 13(1), pp. 47–65. DOI: 10.1080/14683857.2013.773177.

Kreuder-Sonnen, Ch. and Zangl, B. (2015) “Which post-Westphalia? International organizations between constitutionalism and authoritarianism”, European Journal of International Relations. Vol. 21(3), pp. 568–594. DOI: 10.1177/1354066114548736.

Lansford, T. (2000) “Post-Westphalian Europe? Sovereignty and the Modern Nation-State”, International Studies. Vol. 37(1), pp. 1–15. DOI: 10.1177/0020881700037001001.

Linklater, A. (1996). “Citizenship and Sovereignty in the Post-Westphalian State”, European Journal of International Relations. Vol. 2(1), pp. 77–103. DOI: 10.1177/1354066196002001003.

Linklater, A. (1998) The Transformation of Political Community: Ethical Foundations of the Post-Westphalian Era. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Marzęda, K. and Pietraś, M. (2008) Wstęp in Marzęda, K. and Pietraś, M. (eds.) Późnowestwalski ład międzynarodowy. Lublin: UMCS, pp. 9–20.

Maurer, H. (2015) An Upgraded EU Delegation in a Reinforced System of European Diplomatic Coordination: Insights from Washington in Spence, D. and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 274–287. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_15.

Mik, C. (2012) Europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych w systemie instytucjonalnym Unii Europejskiej in Klafkowska-Waśniowska, K., Mataczyński, M. and Sikorski, R. (eds.) Problemy polskiego i europejskiego prawa prywatnego. Księga pamiątkowa Profesora Mariana Kępińskiego. Warszawa: Wolters Kluwer, pp. 477–519.

Onestini, C. (2015) A Hybrid Service: Organising Efficient EU Foreign Policy in Spence, D. and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 65–86. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_4.

Pietraś, M. (2007) “The Late Westphalian International Order”. Polish Political Science Yearbook. Vol. 36, pp. 134–157. DOI: 10.15804/ppsy2007009.

Pietraś, M. (2008) Hybrydowość późnowestfalskiego ładu międzynarodowego in Marzęda, K., Pietraś, M. (eds.) Późnowestwalski ład międzynarodowy. Lublin: UMCS, pp. 57–74.

Pietraś, M. (2010) Procesy transacjonalizacji stosunków międzynarodowych in Pawłowska, A. (ed.) Niepaństwowi uczestnicy stosunków międzynarodowych. Lublin: WSPA, pp. 11–31.

Portela, C. (2021) “The EU’s arms control challenge. Bridging nuclear divides”. Chaillot Paper. No. 166, pp. 1–51. Available at: https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/CP_166.pdf (Access 30.10.2024).

Przybylski, H. (2010) Historia dyplomacji. Katowice: GWSH.

Rewizorski, M. (2022) “External policy of the European Union as a late-Westphalian political innovation”. Rocznik Integracji Europejskiej. No. 16, pp. 7–19. DOI: 10.14746/rie.2022.16.1.

Ruszkowski, J. (2008) Ponadnarodowość jako postwestfalski komponent stosunków międzynarodowych in Marzęda, K. and Pietraś, M. (eds.) Późnowestwalski ład międzynarodowy. Lublin: UMCS, pp. 75–89.

Ryniejska-Kiełdanowicz, M. (2019) Dyplomacja publiczna Unii Europejskiej. Warszawa: Scholar.

Smith, M.H. (2015) The EU as a Diplomatic Actor in the Post-Lisbon Era: Robust or Rootless Hybrid? in Koops, J.A. and Macaj, G. (eds.) The European Union as a Diplomatic Actor. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. DOI: 10.1057/9781137356857_2.

Stępka, M. (2017) “EU Crisis Management and Conflict Prevention. Identifying Institutional Constrains for Early Warning Analysis Utilization”, Politeja. Vol. 14(4), pp. 127–142. DOI: 10.12797/Politeja.14.2017.49.08.

Surmacz, B. (2015) Ewolucja współczesnej dyplomacji. Aktorzy – struktury – funkcje. Lublin: UMCS.

Surmacz, B. (2016) Unia Europejska jako aktor dyplomatyczny in Alabrudzińska, E. (ed.) Dyplomacja europejska wobec wyzwań XX i XXI wieku. Toruń: Adam Marszałek, pp. 189–212.

Tannous, I. (2015) The EEAS, EU External Assistance and Development Aid: Institutional Dissonance or Inter-service Harmony? in Spence, D. and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 123–139. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_7.

Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community, signed at Lisbon (2007) Official Journal C306, 17.12., pp. 1–271. Available at https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.C_.2007.306.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AC%3A2007%3A306%3ATOC (Access 30.10.2024).

Valaskakis, K. (n.d.) Westphalia II: The Real Millennium Challenge. Available at: https://paricenter.com/library-new/ethics-and-economics/westphalia-ii-the-real-millennium-challenge (Access 30.10.2024).

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) United Nations, Treaty Series. Vol. 500, pp. 1–31. Available at: https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/9_1_1961.pdf (Access 30.10.2024).

Wessel, R. and Vooren, B.V. (2013) “The EEAS’ diplomatic dreams and the reality of European and international law”, Journal of European Public Policy. Vol. 20(9), pp. 1350–1367. DOI: 10.1080/13501763.2012.758455.

Whitman, R. (2015) Europe’s Changing Place in the World and Challenges to European Diplomacy in Balfour, R., Carta, C. and Raik, K. (eds.) The European External Action Service and National Foreign Ministries Convergence or Divergence? Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 17–30.

Wouters, J. and Duquet, S. (2015) Unus inter plures? The EEAS, the Vienna Convention and International Diplomatic Practice in Spence, D. and Bátora, J. (eds.) The European External Action Service: European Diplomacy Post-Westphalia. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 159–174. DOI: 10.1057/9781137383037_9.

DOI: 10.33067/SE.1.2025.12

Download pdf[plus]

Language: English

Pages: 231-247

How to Cite:

Harvard

Kabat-Rudnicka, D. (2025) "European External Action Service: Beyond Westphalian Diplomacy". Studia Europejskie – Studies in European Affairs, 1/2025, pp. 231-247. DOI: 10.33067/SE.1.2025.12

APA
Chicago