ABSTRACT

This chapter describes some of the ways in which the European and national levels of foreign policy and diplomacy interact. In diplomatic terms, the grey zone is also present in the form of the number of national diplomats who are directly engaged with the European Union (EU) institutions, notably the European External Action Service (EEAS). Member States and the EU institutions compete vigorously for positions therein and, as such, the former are clearly invested in the Service and have clear motivation for it to work – if only to avoid the opprobrium of failure that would reflect negatively upon the Member States themselves. It is often more important to demonstrate that funds were appropriately and legally dispersed of, than it is to demonstrate substantive change on the ground. European-level diplomacy coexists with national diplomacy, the impact of the financial crisis on national foreign ministries suggests that national foreign policies and diplomatic practice are in transition and contend with multiple uncertainties.