Review article
Streamlining of Policies or Additional Level of Complexity? The Impact of the EEAS on EU - Western Balkans Relations
Wolfgang Koeth
orcid.org/0000-0001-6581-4695
Abstract
Through the creation of a European External Action Service (EEAS) the EU has attempted to increase
the consistency and visibility of its external action abroad. However, in the Western Balkans the impact
of this new diplomatic service of the EU is not always obvious: EU enlargement, as the dominating
policy framework, remains outside the EEAS’ scope of competence. In Kosovo and Bosnia, with
their strong CFSP dimension, synergies are still limited. Whereas the mutation of the EC Delegations
into EU Delegations under the authority of the EEAS (but with a strong Commission component)
had the benefit of raising the EU’s visibility in the Western Balkans, questions remain about internal
coordination and the risk of a possible hijacking of the new service by member states. Although
the EEAS can facilitate the streamlining the EU’s external action in the Western Balkans, such an
outcome depends more on the behaviour of the actors involved than on institutional arrangements.
Keywords
EEAS; enlargement; CSDP; Western Balkans; Lisbon Treaty
Hrčak ID:
94744
URI
Publication date:
24.12.2012.
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