ABSTRACT
This chapter provides readers with a non-technical introduction the European Union's (EU) international investment policy from a legal and political perspective. It discusses the EU's legal competences and identifies the key policy actors, their structural preferences and relevant decision-making procedures in the EU's international investment policy. The EU and the Member States may both offer practical and political support to European investors. Under European law, the key actors in EU international investment policymaking are the European Commission, the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Under European primary law, the Commission has always held the right to initiate autonomous trade policy measures and international trade negotiations. The most prominent types of non-state actors involved in EU trade and investment policy debates are business representatives and non-governmental organisations. Prior to the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, the Council, as the sole legislator in trade policy, authorised, monitored and decided on the conclusion of international trade negotiations and agreements.
