Diplomatic practices beyond Brussels: the EU delegations and the coordination of EU foreign and security policy

Abstract

This chapter explores the role played by the network of European Union (EU) delegations in the implementation of EU foreign policy and the practices of coordination between EU delegations and EU member state diplomatic missions around the world. The formal and informal practices reveal how European diplomats work together in spite of the boundaries set by the traditional foreign policy of EU member states. Together, they have learned to handle the disagreements surrounding EU foreign and security policy in Brussels and the awareness among EU member state diplomats is increasing about the importance to uphold EU foreign policy abroad while not relinquishing their role as representatives of their home country. Member state diplomats have learned to juggle this dual role. In parallel, the coordination of EU foreign policy has become a common feature of EU diplomatic presence abroad forming the basis for an emerging European diplomatic community of practice.