The conclusion of the European Union’s trade agreements and the intervention of the European Parliament

Abstract

This study delves into the intricate dynamics of new generation trade agreements within the European Union (EU) context. Employing a rigorous legal methodology while acknowledging the inherent political aspects, this contribution seeks to offer a comprehensive understanding of the procedures governing the EU’s treaty making process. Central to our analysis is the evolution towards enhanced democratization in the EU’s trade relations and the core focus of this study lies in an examination of the European Parliament’s (EP) intervention throughout the various stages of the EU’s process for concluding new generation trade agreements. Our investigation encompasses not only the formal prerogatives of the EP in trade policy, as enshrined in treaties or secured through interinstitutional commitments with the European Commission and the Council but also delves into the less codified, yet influential, informal practices often referred to as the “soft power” of the EP. By meticulously examining the role of the EP, this contribution sheds light on the growing prominence of the democratic principle and increased political engagement in this area of the EU’s external relations.