The Dynamics of EU External Energy Relations Fighting for Energy Routledge/UACES Contemporary European Studies Series

The Dynamics of EU External Energy Relations examines the behaviour of the European Commission in EU external energy relations paying particular attention to the dynamics existing between the Commission and the member states. It examines the Commission as a constrained policy-entrepreneur trying to expand its power, budget and competences, yet frustrated by member states protective of their national sovereignty.

Analysing the Commission as agent and the member states as its principals, the book proposes a more nuanced examination of behaviour where the agent tries to satisfy its own interests but is still responsive to the preferences of the principals. Using a wide range of original primary and secondary data, the book argues that EU external energy relations reflect the dynamics of the relations between the Commission and the member states.

This book will be of key interest to scholars and students of European Union studies and politics, EU energy and foreign policy, and more broadly to European politics and international relations.

1. Introduction: The Energy Policy of the EU and its External Dimension

2. Conceptualizing the Commission Behaviour

3. When the Commission asks Too Much: The legislative Process Leading to Decision 994/2012 on Intergovernmental Agreements in the Field of Energy

4. Unbundling the Internal Market in Gas: A Contested Process

5. The Energy Community Treaty (EnCT): A Common Energy Market with South East Europe

6. The Energy Charter Treaty: Creating a Legal Framework for Trade and Investment in Energy

7. Conclusion: The Principal Agent Model and the External Dimension of EU Energy Policy

Francesca Batzella is Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the School of Law, University of Hertfordshire, UK. She completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, UK.