EU external relations

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on the European Union’s external relations. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
13.02.2013In brief: UK-EU economic relations - key statistics
This note sets out, in brief, some of the main indicators of the UK's economic relationship with the EU.
05.02.2013The crisis in Mali: current military action and upholding humanitarian law
This note describes the current military intervention in Mali, led by France, which began on 11 January as a reaction to the southward advance of militant Islamist armed groups with links to al-Qaeda. It also looks at the intervention in the context of upholding humanitarian law.
14.01.2013Norway's relationship with the EU
Norway is not part of the EU, and although it has adopted large amounts of EU legislation, it has little influence.
10.11.2011Ukraine, the EU, Russia and Tymoshenko
The boundaries of western and Russian influence in Eastern Europe are in play in Ukraine.
20.10.2011Switzerland's relationship with the EU
Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it has chosen to cooperate with the EU in a number of areas of specific interest.

Research Papers

DateDescription
24.04.2009Russia and the West
A year on from Dmitry Medvedev's succession to the Kremlin, this paper analyses the evolution of Russian foreign policy under both Putin and Medvedev. It seeks to identify the main themes, interests, and objectives of Russian foreign policy, and to appraise the role of President Medvedev in the direction of Russian diplomacy and his relationship with Prime Minister Putin. In so doing, it examines, in detail, Russia's relationship with the United States, NATO, the EU, and the UK and analyses the role of energy in relations between Russia and the West. Finally, it looks ahead at the prospects for the relationship in light of President Obama's declared intention to press the 'reset' button in US-Russian relations.
06.07.2007Hamas and the seizure of Gaza
Hamas and the seizure of Gaza. House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/60.
14.03.2007EU Enlargement: the Western Balkans
EU Enlargement: the Western Balkans. House of Commons Research Paper 07/27.
16.04.2004The Human Rights Clause in the EUs External Agreements
The human rights clause in the EU's external agreements. House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/33.
02.05.2001European security and defence policy: Nice and beyond
The European Council held in Nice between 7-9 December 2000 unveiled the results of two years work on what is now termed the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
20.03.2012EU: Sudan and South Sudan - follow-up report.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
14.06.2011EU and Sudan: on the brink of change.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
18.01.2011Future inter-parliamentary scrutiny of EU foreign, defence and security policy.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]
09.03.2010Stars and dragons: the EU and China.
European Union Select Committee (HL) report [Lords]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
01.12.2009DRAFT EUROPEAN STATEMENT ON EAST JERUSALEM
That this House supports the proposed statement by the Council of the European Union drafted by the Swedish Presidency calling for negotiations on a two-state solution leading to an ...
21.10.2009EU-SYRIA EURO-MEDITERRANEAN ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
That this House notes media reports that the EU-Syria Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement is due to be signed on 26 October 2009; further notes that the Association Agreement can ...
10.11.2008EU AND RUSSIA
That this House agrees with the decision of the European Council meeting on 1st September 2008 to suspend negotiations with Russia on a new partnership and cooperation agreement following ...
17.06.2008EU TRADE POLICY AND THE DEVELOPING WORLD
That this House believes that trade is often better than aid for developing countries and is a powerful driver of growth, positive development, elimination of corruption and poverty ...
02.06.2008UK POLICY ON RELATIONS WITH ZIMBABWE
That this House condemns the attendance of Robert Mugabe at the United Nations conference on food security in Rome; notes that although there is a European Union travel ban upon him, ...

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - an occasional series of papers compiled by the House of Lords Library