The External Action Service and its Effect on the Cohesion of EU Foreign Policy

Abstract

This study is designed to evaluate the European External Action Service (EEAS) by analyzing its effectiveness in achieving a greater level of cohesion amongst European Union (EU) member states. The research examines voting patterns in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) by EU member states between 2003 and 2012. This study uses each committee of the UNGA, as a variable to determine voting patterns on specific policy areas. This paper includes the enlargements of 2004 and 2007, while also extending the data collection up to the most recent completed session of the UNGA. The years 2009, 2011, and 2012 are important in this study because in 2009 the Lisbon Treaty created the post of High Representative, and 2011 and 2012 are the only years the EEAS has been in operation. This research can be used to determine how the EEAS and enlargement affect harmonization of EU foreign policy amongst EU members, and what the EEAS can do to help increase harmonization.