Introduction

Abstract

The influence of the European Union (EU) on the global stage has increased significantly over the last 60 years. Much of its global engagement is conducted through international negotiations with other parties, and over time, the EU has established a wide network of negotiated agreements with countries and regions across the world. Despite this, the literature on the EU as an international negotiator is sparse. The aim of this book is to fill the gap in the literature by analysing and comparing the EU’s role as an international negotiator across the four policy areas of development, trade, enlargement, and withdrawal—areas which mostly, or entirely, are based on international negotiations, and where the EU has a significant impact. The analysis helps to identify similarities and differences across policy areas, and to provide a broader picture of the EU as an international negotiator.