Paper long abstract:

The European Union (EU) is in the process of establishing an active economic diplomacy, in the context of a more geostrategic EU. One of the aims of the EU is to combine the promotion of its economic interests with the defense of its values, while building on and seeking synergies with the interests of its partner countries. This paper will assess how the EU is formulating its economic diplomacy, and to which extend it includes sustainability objectives, building on its economic, trade and development policies. Particular attention will be paid to Africa, and how the EU builds on its partnership with Africa, at national and regional levels, how African economic interests are taken into account in the EU economic diplomacy strategy, and the extent to which sustainability dimensions are integrated, notably in the promotion of responsible business conduct, poverty, and environmental, labour and social considerations. In doing, the paper will seek to identify whether, and if so, how a more active European economic diplomacy is compatible with supporting African own development strategies and initiatives.

(This research is part of an EU Horizon 2020 project RESPECT http://respect.eui.eu/)