European Union diplomats: an emerging epistemic community? College of Europe Policy Brief #8.19 December 2019

Canali, Sara (2019) European Union diplomats: an emerging epistemic community? College of Europe Policy Brief #8.19 December 2019. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

The Lisbon Treaty introduced far-reaching changes in the field of European Union (EU) external action, including institutional reforms such as the de facto creation of an EU diplomatic service and new policy-making instruments. Yet, ten years later, some scholars and policy-makers alike still seem to believe that EU diplomats are mere coordinators of member states’ positions. > What does the notion of ‘EU diplomat’ as a hybrid figure mediating between national diplomacy and the EU’s post-Westphalian diplomatic engagement stand for? This policy brief argues that we are witnessing the emergence of a novel epistemic community, that is, a unique network of EU professionals with specific expertise and competences. > In order to continue shaping its own diplomatic culture and epistemic community, the EU should invest more in training, contributing to the following key goals: the promotion of ‘layered’ knowledge, a shared working culture among EU officials, joint ownership of EU external action between EU and member state diplomats, reinforced socialisation and the further development of an esprit de corps.

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