EU External Relations Law

This major new textbook for students in European law uses a text, cases and materials approach to explore the law, politics, policy and practice of EU external relations, and navigates the complex questions at the interface of these areas. The subject is explored by explaining major constitutional principles, and elaborating upon them in policy-specific chapters ranging from common commercial policy and development policy over CFSP/CSDP and AFSJ to energy and enlargement policy. Specific attention is given to the relationship between European integration, the role of law, and the EU as an effective international actor. Designed for easy navigation, chapters include key objectives, summaries and textboxes, which frame key issues and guide the reader through the functioning of legal principles. Students gain a detailed understanding of the historical development, context and present functioning of EU external relations law in a highly politicised European and international environment. 'Van Vooren and Wessel wrote an exceptional book. The selection of material as well as its presentation is of very high quality, making it an ideal point of reference and, at the same time, a very handy teaching tool. Without a doubt, this volume will become a classic, a real must have for academics and practitioners dealing with external relations of the European Union.' Adam Lazowski, University of Westminster 'Another excellent EU Law essential from Cambridge University Press. At a time when the EU as an external actor is increasingly under scrutiny, here is a scholarly and innovative treatment of EU external relations law. Van Vooren and Wessel's contextual - and very readable - approach, accompanied by in depth legal analysis, renders this text indispensable for EU law teachers and advanced level EU law students.' Carole Lyons, Robert Gordon University1. The European Union as a global legal actor; 2. Instruments of EU external action; 3. Existence of EU external competence; 4. Nature of EU external competence; 5. Scope and choice of EU external competence; 6. The duty of cooperation; 7. EU law and international law; 8. The EU and international institutions; 9. Common commercial policy; 10. EU development policy; 11. Common foreign and security policy; 12. Common security and defence policy; 13. The external dimension of the internal energy market; 14. The external dimension of the area of freedom, security and justice; 15. EU and its neighbours.