Category Archives: Research

Countries which intervene most often in negotiations over EU legislation tend to have the least bargaining success.

The Laeken Declaration states that: “[T]he European project . . . derives its legitimacy from democratic, transparent and efficient institutions.” Negotiations aimed at revising EU transparency legislation (Regulation 1049/2001) began in 2008, but since December 2012 are at an impasse. These negotiations are important because the outcome will govern how the public can access records relatingContinue reading “Countries which intervene most often in negotiations over EU legislation tend to have the least bargaining success.”

Transparency in the Council of the European Union has increased over the last decade, but only for the least controversial negotiations

The Laeken Declaration states that: “[T]he European project . . . derives its legitimacy from democratic, transparent and efficient institutions.” Negotiations aimed at revising EU transparency legislation (Regulation 1049/2001) began in 2008, but since December 2012 are at an impasse. These negotiations are important because the outcome will govern how the public can access records relatingContinue reading “Transparency in the Council of the European Union has increased over the last decade, but only for the least controversial negotiations”

Does EU coherence matter in foreign policy?

This new article challenges a key piece of conventional wisdom on EU foreign policy: Daniel C. Thomas (2012). Still Punching below its Weight? Coherence and Effectiveness in European Union Foreign Policy. Journal of Common Market  Studies 50:3, 457-474. Abstract: Although scholars and practitioners have long argued that greater political coherence will make the EU a more effectiveContinue reading “Does EU coherence matter in foreign policy?”

The EU and Fundamental Rights: Perspectives on the EU-ECHR relationship

This contribution might be of interest : The European Court of Human Rights and the Law of the European Union, Including the Charter: A Subtle Control between Adjustments of Systems and Mutual Influences The French version of this paper can be found at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2044855. It will be published in L’Union européenne et les droits fondamentaux:Continue reading “The EU and Fundamental Rights: Perspectives on the EU-ECHR relationship”