ABSTRACT

According to a widely shared belief, the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) still resembles the cozy diplomats’ club of the former European Political Cooperation (EPC): i.e. it is an area closely controlled by Member States with only limited input from EU organs, and with practically no interference from societal actors (Nuttall 2000). This chapter challenges this popular view. It argues that the area of Europe’s foreign and security policy is populated by numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other societal actors. Following the overall approach of this volume and the aim of determining the agency of NGOs, I analyze the institutional incentives and restrictions facing civil society organizations in the CFSP, as well as their reactions to them. Although this chapter is based on only one detailed case study, I try to generate further insights about the role of NGOs in the realm of foreign policy by comparing the findings with established knowledge on interest representation in the first pillar (the Economic and Monetary Union).