The Impact of the EEAS on the National Diplomacy of Slovakia as a Case Study of Small EU Member States - an Advice Paper for the Aspirant EU Countries of the Western Balkans
The Impact of the EEAS on the National Diplomacy of Slovakia as a Case Study of Small EU Member States - an Advice Paper for the Aspirant EU Countries of the Western Balkans

Summary/Abstract: The more the international plane has gotten interconnected, the more there was a need for a united voice and position from the European Union. The establishment of the European External Action Service as an EU diplomatic corps, headed by the post of the High Representative, is meant to improve the coherence of the EU's external representation. However, where do small Member States stand in this new set-up? Despite the early stage of the EEAS, this article demonstrates where changes have taken place and to thus make an impact on national diplomacies of small EU Member-States and especially what are the potential benefits for the small national diplomacies. The article provides an in-depth analysis of Slovakia, as a prototype op the smaIl EU Member States, of both its constraints and fundamental interests, its a approach towards t ire Lisbon treaty and to the EEAS, recruitment efforts, analysis of the cooperation and diplomatic brain drain vs. added value of know-how. The so-far experience of Slovakia, illustration of its opportunities and perspectives shall provide the aspirant states of the Western Balkans with the particular assessment in order to make their national diplomacies be prepared to take full advantage of the new Europeanised diplomatic setting after the accession.

• Details
• Contents