ABSTRACT
This chapter presents general tendencies in the European Union (EU) decision-making processes regarding such negotiations. By elaborating on three broad themes. It discusses the way the EU decision-making process works in practice. The empirical data was analyzed in function of explaining the degree of discretion the EU negotiator enjoys in international negotiations leading to an MEA. The chapter gives some general conclusions about the way the EU negotiation arrangement is organized are presented. It focuses on the EU negotiator's discretion. The chapter answers the questions of how die control mechanisms generally function, whether the EU negotiator can conquer more autonomy, and what can be learned from the studied decision-making processes regarding the single voice question. The chapter examines general tendencies in the role the various condition variables play in shaping the EU decision-making process. From a legal point of view, the EU negotiation arrangement used in negotiations leading to mixed agreements, like multilateral environmental agreements ME.
