The external economic dimension of the European Union

Book abstract:

This book focuses on the broad range of recent initiatives taken by the EU to reinforce its common external economic policy in a rapidly changing environment. The prospects of the EU are increasingly interrelated with the dynamics of the world economy. In the multipolar post-Cold War economy, the EU faces many uncertainties and new challenges. The transatlantic link still dominates the EU's external relations but the cohesion of the Euro-American relationship has been severely tested. Moreover the transition of Central and Eastern Europe and the rise of new growth poles in Asia and Latin America have not only created new opportunities for trade and investment but intensified international competition at the same time.

The volume is organised in two parts. Part one focuses on the competitiveness of the EU and its position in the world economy as well as on specific aspects of its external economic policies including the restructuring of the Common Agricultural Policy and the enlargement of the EU membership. Part two is exclusively devoted to the regional dimension of the external policy of the EU and focuses on the rapidly evolving relationship with other Triad powers, the USA, and Japan, the neighbouring countries and the emerging markets.

The book brings together a range of distinguished authors who analyse the wide range of initiatives from the perspective of economics, political science and law. It is a timely and essential work that will reward the attention of policymakers and interested academics throughout the world.