Vertical coordination in the external action of the EU: The legal dimension

Abstract

The paper analyses the legal dimension of coordination between the Union and its Members States in the external action. First, it examines the particularities of the competences under the external action, which explain the special relevance of coordination in this context. Next, it studies the notion of vertical coordination in the external action. Moreover, it considers the likely effects on vertical coordination of a recent change in the case law of the Court of Justice regarding the principle of sincere cooperation between the Union and the Member States (Case C-246/07, Commission/Sweden). Following this general overview, the paper then focuses on the analysis of the specificities of vertical coordination in the CFSP, as well as the role of the High Representative in this regard as established in the Treaties.