EU External Relations & Neighbourhood Policy
The Legal Personality of European Union
European Union; legal personality; international organizations; external competences; Lisbon Treaty; international responsibility
The article examines the European Union’s legal personality under international, EU, and national law following the Lisbon Treaty. It analyses the Union’s external competences, treaty-making powers, diplomatic relations, participation in international organizations, and international responsibility.
KNAPP, LÁSZLÓ
The Legality of the Pristina - Belgrade Political Dialogue...
Dialogue; state-building; Europeanization; Kosovo; Serbia; EU; constitution
In order to fulfil the preconditions set by the European Union vis-à-vis Western Balkans, countries of the latter must meet numerous criteria to show that they are ready to adhere in the EU. One of those conditions as stipulated in the Stabilization and Association Agreement is the regional cooperation, which entails the good neighbouring relations between candidate and/or potential candidate countries. In order to help both Kosovo and Serbia fulfil partially these criterions, EU has decided to step in and facilitate a high level political dialogue between the two countries. However this is being done by the EU in ambiguous terms, and uncovering a risk of constitutional crisis in Kosovo. The dialogue is meant to provide a fast track mechanism for reconciliation and good neighbouring relations, however this needs to be done at the cost on finding a creative approach and often violating provisions of the Constitution of one side, Kosovo, since it doesn’t recognize it as a state but rather as a territorial entity still in line with the Resolution 1244 of the UNSC (1999). The paper provides an analytical approach of the agreements signed and binding legal documents, such as the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo (2008), in order to point out key elements of constitutional infringement. Further, the paper argues briefly the imposing provisions of the agreement by the EU in the Europeanization context, concluding that the Europeanization process cannot be fitted universally without carefully analysing the legal as well as the cultural and historical context.
PUSTINA, LORIK
Ukraine – A Freezing or a Frozen Conflict? Or: “Russians Are Already in the Cupboard?”
Ukraine conflict; Russia–EU relations; frozen conflict; Crimea; energy security; economic sanctions
The article interprets the Ukrainian conflict through Russian–Ukrainian–EU relations, historical and cultural factors, energy dependence, sanctions, and the strategic importance of Crimea. It argues that competing geopolitical interests and unresolved territorial claims may transform the crisis into a prolonged frozen conflict.
SPINDLER, ZSOLT
The European Union – Western Balkans Relations with the Special Emphasize on the Case of Serbia
Western Balkans; Serbia; EU enlargement; Stabilisation and Association Process; accession negotiations; European integration
The article examines the EU’s relations with the Western Balkans through the Stabilisation and Association Process, pre-accession assistance, and accession conditionality. It focuses on Serbia’s negotiations, legal harmonisation, institutional reform, and relations with Kosovo.
CRNIĆ, MAJA
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