2 The EU’s Humanitarian Aid Policy after Lisbon: Implications of a New Treaty Basis

Abstract

This chapter argues that the attribution of an explicit legal basis for the elaboration of an EU humanitarian aid policy is the logical next step in a gradual process to achieve this objective. After analysing the historical development of the EU's humanitarian aid policy, the legal nature of the EU's competence in this field is discussed. Subsequently, the link between the EU's humanitarian aid policy and the principles of international humanitarian law is scrutinised. Finally, specific attention is devoted to the challenge of coherence in the EU's response to global emergencies and the place of humanitarian aid in this respect. The chapter takes a closer look at the possible implications of the Lisbon Treaty in terms of guaranteeing the specific position of humanitarian aid within the broader context of the EU's external action. Keywords: EU humanitarian aid policy; EU's external action; international humanitarian law; legal nature; Lisbon Treaty