The EU and International Diplomatic Law: New Horizons?

in The Hague Journal of Diplomacy
Authors: Jan Wouters 1 and Sanderijn Duquet 1
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  • 1 Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  • 2 jan.wouters@ggs.kuleuven.be sanderijn.duquet@law.kuleuven.be
Online Publication Date:
01 Jan 2012
Volume/Issue:
Volume 7: Issue 1
Article Type:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/187119112X609185
Keywords:
European Union (EU); EU delegations; European External Action Service (EEAS); 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations; EU ambassadors; EU external representation; international diplomatic law
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Summary

The European Union has a unique sui generis status on the international plane, which is reflected in its capability to enter into diplomatic relations with third states and international organizations. Over nearly six decades, the European Union (EU) has gradually built its own worldwide bilateral and multilateral diplomatic network, which is made subject — through specific agreements with the host country — to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The ‘Union delegations’ are now operating as the diplomatic missions of the EU as a whole, in contrast to the former Commission delegations. This article examines the relationship between the EU and international diplomatic law. How does the EU establish and conduct diplomatic relations? What legal instruments are being used? How do the Vienna Convention and customary diplomatic law come into play? What is the exact legal status of EU ambassadors and diplomatic staff? By critically analysing these issues, this article assesses the specific contribution the EU makes to the further development of international diplomatic law.

In:
The Hague Journal of Diplomacy
E-ISSN:
1871-191X
Print ISSN:
1871-1901
Publisher:
Brill | Nijhoff
Cover The Hague Journal of Diplomacy
Sections
References
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Index Card
Page Count:
31–49
Subjects:
International Relations, International Relations, Economics & Political Science, Social Sciences
Copyright:
© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands 2012
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