Towards Environmental Integration in EC External Relations? A Comparative Analysis of Selected Association Agreements

Abstract

Abstract In light of the political and economic weight of the 25 Member European Union (EU), the influence of its environmental priorities is deemed to play an increasing role on the international scene. Academic attention on the external dimension of European Community (EC) environmental policy has mainly focused on important initiatives undertaken by the EC within multilateral fora, whereas the integration of environmental concerns into its bilateral relations with third countries is relatively under explored. The overall purpose of this chapter is to provide a preliminary assessment of the extent to which the environmental integration requirement has been fulfilled in the external policies of the Community through a comparative analysis of selected Association Agreements. Part II will recall the applicability of the principle of environmental integration to EC external relations, and present EC Association Agreements as an appropriate case study for this purpose. Part III will provide a detailed analysis of the relevant legal provisions in four selected Association Agreements in order to assess to what extent environmental concerns have been integrated into the definition of the EC relations with third countries. Part IV will thereafter concentrate upon specific tools for implementation of these Association Agreements, in order to evaluate whether environmental integration has been operationalized in EC bilateral external relations. This section provides an overview of the principle of environmental integration in EC law and its applicability to EC external relations, through a combined reading of Treaty provisions and policy documents. The present section also provides an introduction to the legal basis and Community practice relating to the conclusion of Association Agreements with third countries.