The External Relations of the EU after Lisbon: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

23-24/Sep/2010 • Maastricht • Fee: € 850 • Special discount available

Introduction

Programme

Practical Information

Interpretations available in English, French.

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Project Leader

Jérôme Boniface

profile • activities

For more information about the activity, please contact:

Dorina Claessens

d.claessens

eipa.eu
+31 43 3296 337

External Relations

The Lisbon Treaty introduces a number of fundamental changes for the external relations of the EU. These changes were introduced after broad agreement was reached on the need for the EU to be more coherent, efficient and visible on the international scene.

The overall aim of this two day seminar is to consider whether these broad objectives have been met and to examine more closely the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on specific areas of EU external relations such as CFSP, defence policy as well as development and trade.

The seminar will commence with a consideration of the reasons for change and the broad nature of these changes. This will include an examination of the principal institutional and decision-making changes introduced by the treaty. Specific attention will be paid to the future European External Action Service. Room for interactive sessions and debate will also be left so that experiences and opinions can be exchanged in a constructive manner.

The programme will enhance your understanding of how foreign relations functions under the Lisbon Treaty and provide you with the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to work more effectively at the EU and national level in the specific area of EU external relations.

Thursday 23 September

Welcome of participants and introduction to the seminar
Dr Simon Duke, Professor, EIPA, Maastricht (NL)
Mr Wolfgang Koeth, Senior Lecturer, EIPA, Maastricht (NL)
Mr Jérôme Boniface, Seconded National Expert, EIPA, Maastricht (NL)
Ms Aurélie Courtier, Research Assistant, EIPA, Maastricht (NL)

The background to the Lisbon treaty and the main institutional changes
Dr Simon Duke
This session will consider the reasons for and the nature of the institutional changes in EU external relations. It will consider the implications for new leadership in the EU’s external relations and, in particular, the role and function of the European External Action Service.

The European Union and International Representation after Lisbon
Dr Jan Wouters, Jean Monnet Chair EU, Professor of International Law and International Organizations, Director Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies and Institute for International Law, Leuven University (BE)
The institutional changes, discussed above, and the attribution of legal personality to the EU will have particular implications for the EU’s role in international organisations. This session will consider the implications of the Lisbon treaty for the EU’s role in international organisations, with an emphasis on the UN family, which shall include questions of representation and the role of the EU members.

Lunch break

Financial Instruments and Programming of external assistance: what implications after Lisbon?
Mr Wolfgang Koeth
This session will examine to which extend the EU financial instruments (IPA, ENPI, EDF, DCI) will be affected by the Lisbon Treaty and by the EEAS. It will analyse the role of the different actors and stakeholders in the process of programming financial assistance and take a closer look at the possible opportunities and risks of the new arrangements.

Panel Discussion and Debate with the audience: The implications for national diplomacy
Dr Simon Duke
Dr Aurélien Colson, Director ESSEC IRENE, Paris (FR) (to be confirmed)
Diplomats from the Member States

Group discussion and plenary conclusions
The participants will be divided into three groups. They will be invited to reflect upon the presentations of the day and to discuss three specific themes. The groups will then present their findings in a plenary session.

Reception at EIPA

Friday 24 September

The Common Security and Defence Policy: codifying the status quo?
Dr Simon Duke
The former ESDP has become CSDP, the treaty also introduces the idea of permanent structured cooperation, a mutual defence clause, the solidarity clause has been incorporated, specific arrangements for enhanced cooperation have been introduced and greater emphasis is placed upon the role of the European Defence Agency. But, is this all just window dressing or do they introduce fundamental changes to the conduct of EU crisis management?

EU Development and Humanitarian policies after Lisbon
Ms Jeske van Seters & Ms Eleonora Koeb, Policy Officers, European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), Maastricht (NL)
The Treaty of Lisbon is expected to have significant implications for the EU’s relations with developing countries. The High Representative and the EEAS will be involved in the programming cycle of the Development Cooperation Instrument and the European Development Fund. Beyond financial instruments, the High Representative and the EEAS will lead in the EU’s political dialogue with countries in the south. As a result, the historical geographic split between the EU’s dealings with the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the rest of the world will come to an end. This session will look into the changes in EU development cooperation resulting from the Lisbon Treaty and their possible consequences.

Lunch

The common commercial policy
Mr Wolfgang Koeth
Ms Aurélie Courtier
This session will analyse the changes brought about by the Lisbon Treaty to the common commercial policy, in particular the appearance of the European Parliament as an actor in the EU’s external relations. It will highlight the new modalities for conducting the common commercial policy and look at the opportunities and risks of the new arrangements for the EU and its partners.

Building an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice: the unavoidable external dimension
Mr Jérôme Boniface
In order to meet the expectations of its citizens the European Union must respond to the security threats posed by organised crime, trafficking and illegal migration flows. If the EU is to be effective in doing so it needs to work with countries outside the EU. This session will examine the increasing interconnections between the EU’s domestic security and external relations paying particular attention to the need for more coordination and coherence in its partnerships with third countries on security related issues.

Evaluation and conclusion of the seminar

Programme
The programme will commence on Thursday 23 September at 09.00 hrs and finish on Friday 24 September at 16.30 hrs.

Seminar venue
The seminar will take place in the Bordeaux Conference Room (1.16) at the European Institute of Public Administration, O.L. Vrouweplein 22, 6211 HE Maastricht (NL), T. +31 43 329 62 22, F. +31 43 329 62 96.

Working language
The seminar will be conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation into French. Please note that interpretation will be subject to a minimum number of participants requiring translation. Please indicate your language of preference on the registration form.

Fee
The participation fee is € 850 and includes documentation, two lunches, reception on Thursday and refreshments. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

EIPA offers its members a reduction of 10% off the registration fee. This reduction is available to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s member countries (i.e. AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, ES, SE, UK). Officials of EU Institutions, bodies and Agencies which have signed a framework contract under LOT 8 are entitled to a 20% discount. This applies to officials coming from:

the following EU Institutions: European Commission, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, Council of the European Union, European Economic and Social Committee;
and European Agencies: Translation Centre (CDT), European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR), European Environment Agency (EEA), European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), European Medicines Agency (EMEA), European Railway Agency (ERA), European Training Foundation (ETF), European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI), European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OHSA);
and officials coming from agencies who have a contract with DG ADMIN and therefore can benefit from the Lot 8 framework contract (order form always through DG ADMIN).

If you are eligible for a discount, please tick the box in the registration form. Please note that reductions cannot be accumulated. For more information, please visit EIPA’s website (www.eipa.eu – FAQ – special discounts).

Hotel reservations
The European Institute of Public Administration will be pleased to make reservations for you at a hotel in Maastricht. We have made a block booking at the following two hotels in Maastricht:

Hotel Derlon**** www.derlon.nl € 125,00 p.p.p.n.
Hotel Beaumont**** www.beaumont.nl € 101,85 p.p.p.n.

All mentioned hotel prices are including breakfast and tourist tax. Should you wish to make use of this possibility, please indicate the name of the hotel and the dates of arrival and departure on the registration form. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel on checking out. Please note that if you register after the closing date, hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed.

Meals
The lunches, as well as the reception on Thursday evening will take place at the Institute’s restaurant. Should you require a special menu (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic), please inform the Programme Organiser so that this can be arranged.

Registration
Kindly complete the registration form and submit it before 10 September 2010. Your name and address will be part of EIPA’s database for our mailing purpose only. If you do not want to be included in our mailing database, please tick the box on the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation. Please indicate the method of payment on the registration form. In any case, the participant or his/her administration will receive an invoice for the payment of the registration fee. For cancellations received after 10 September 2010 on the registration form we will have to charge an administration fee of € 150 unless a replacement participant is found.

Cancellation policy
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the seminar up to 2 weeks before the starting date. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, hotel, etc.). For EIPA’s cancellation policy, please visit our website www.eipa.eu (legal notice)

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