Beyond the Intergovernmental-Supranational Divide in EU Foreign Policy: Insights from Kosovo

Abstract:

Because of the intergovernmental nature of EU foreign policy, the role of the European Commission in EU external action is often considered minimal or residual.

Providing a systematic review of the case of Kosovo, this paper demonstrates that it is possible to identify different degrees of integration in EU foreign policy. It does so by investigating under which conditions Member States delegate foreign policy competences to the Commission. In the case of Kosovo, integration in EU foreign policy has been conditioned by the level of control Member States have chosen exercise on or delegate to supranational institutions.