New publications:

Greiçevci, L.  (2011). EU Actorness in International Affairs: The Case of EULEX Mission in Kosovo. Perspectives on European Politics and Society, 12 (3), 283-303.

This article discusses one of the missions of the European Union Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and, so far, the biggest EU mission in the area of conflict management: the rule of law mission in Kosovo, dubbed EULEX Kosovo. Its conceptual framework is built on the EU's international role and notably on the EU actorness thesis. The article explores several important aspects of the EULEX mission in Kosovo. In doing so, it looks at the following issues: (a) the first instance of the EULEX mission based on the comprehensive Ahtisaari proposal for the future status of Kosovo; (b) the launch of EULEX and, through this, EU cohesion in the mission itself; (c) the difficult process of EULEX deployment in Kosovo, which resulted in a ‘compromised authority’ and ‘ambiguous recognition’ of the mission itself; and (d) EULEX autonomy in view of its relations with other international actors (notably UNMIK) and other EU entities involved in Kosovo. In addition, the article examines the implications that the handicapped actorness of EULEX might have for its current and future input, through analyzing briefly the initial results and failures of EULEX in Kosovo. Thus, the article examines the process of establishing EULEX in Kosovo and sheds light on the EU's policies in Kosovo and in the western Balkans.

Saenen, B. & J. Orbie (2011) Challenges to coherence : exploring the European Union’s role in the International labour organization in J. Lieb,  N. von Ondarza & D. Schwarzer (eds.) The EU in international fora : lessons for the union's external representation after Lisbon (Baden-Baden: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft).

This chapter explores the EU’s role in the ILO by summarising and integrating some recent studies on this topic. First, we look at the discourse used to frame the EU-ILO partnership. This apparently ‘natural’ relationship has been disputed on various fronts. Second, three interrelated challenges will be outlined: (1) does the Union succeed in coordinating member state positions and speaking with one voice in the context of the ILO?; (2) are the EU norms promoted in the context of the ILO inspired by social objectives or by market considerations?; and (3) can the EU indeed ‘upload’ its social norms to the ILO? For each of these challenges, we will sketch some major criticisms as well as counterarguments. Finally, it will be argued that the Treaty of Lisbon does not seem to fundamentally alter the nature of these challenges.

Saenen, B. (2011) Internationale Arbeidersorganisatie in C. Ryngaert (ed.) De gespecialiseerde instellingen van de Verenigde Naties (Leuven: Acco)

De Internationale Arbeidsorganisatie (International Labour Organization, ILO) werd in 1919 opgericht door de Vrede van Versailles, een van de vijf verdragen waarmee de Eerste Wereldoorlog formeel werd beëindigd. Ze kreeg de opdracht om sociale rechtvaardigheid na te streven en zo mee de basis voor een duurzame vrede te scheppen. Na de Tweede Wereldoorlog en de neergang van de Volkenbond sloot het zich in 1946 aan bij de Verenigde Naties en werd daarmee de oudste gespecialiseerde organisatie die onder diens vlag werkzaam is.