Crisis response in candidate states (WP5)

The objective of WP5 is to explore micro-level practices of EU foreign policy in candidate countries Serbia and Kosovo. The key assumption of this WP is that the EU’s engagement in the candidate countries relies on various forms of external governance. This implies practices that are different from traditional diplomatic relations characterizing foreign policy of states. The latter is based on the principle of non-interference by diplomats of a sending state in the domestic affairs of the host country (Vienna Convention 1961, Art 44). External governance, by contrast, is characterized by deep interference in domestic affairs including various practices and techniques applied to monitor and oversee implementation of governance reforms. Moreover, working with societies of the EU’s candidate countries implies not only working with governmental structures, but – as these societies are in processes of democratic transition and stabilization of democratic institutions – it also implies engagement with various segments of civil society, regional and local authorities. This involves a specific set of micro-level practices, which enable EU representatives to work effectively in supporting reform processes in target countries.