The Political Safeguards of EU Foreign Relations Federalism

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter argues that the EU Treaties provide for both strong formal and informal safeguards of foreign relations federalism in the EU. Member States have a strong formal voice in the EU foreign policy-making process, and, because of this voice, EU institutions cannot easily encroach on the autonomy of Member States. The comparatively strong voice of the Member States in EU foreign policy-making flips the stakes: whereas in the US and Canada, a concern about the autonomy of member units explains the need for political safeguards, in the EU the presence of strong safeguards raises a concern about the autonomy of the EU institutions vis-à-vis the Member States. In light of the central role of the EU Member States in the EU foreign policy-making process, this chapter also looks at whether there are any checks on the two Councils.