The Netherlands and Portugal: punching above their weight?
Portugal and the Netherlands: punching above their weight?, Laura C. Ferreira-Pereira, Alena Vysotskaya G. Vieira and Louise van Schaik
Chapter in: The European External Action Service and National Foreign Ministries: Convergence or Divergence?
Edited by Rosa Balfour, Caterina Carta and Kristi Raik
Publisher: Ashgate
Globalisation, Europe, Multilateralism series
Based on extensive empirical work by a cross-European group of researchers, this book assesses the impact of the creation of the European External Action Service (EEAS) on the national foreign policy-making processes and institutions of the EU member states.
The contributions cover both the involvement of the national diplomatic and foreign policy actors in shaping the outlook of the EEAS and its mission, as well as the changes (or not) it has produced for those actors of the member states. The analysis draws in theoretical frameworks from Europeanization and socialization, but also from intergovernmental frameworks of policy-making within the European Union.
Louise van Schaik contributed to chapter 9, a presentation of the at times converging, at times diverging, approaches of Portugal and the Netherlands, illuminating the commonalities and differences of this ‘strange couple’.
At first sight, Portugal and the Netherlands have in common their small size, their colonial past and their Atlanticist commitment. In turn, they diverge in terms of length of membership, geographical position and special relationship with external partners.
Both countries came to acquire the reputation of ‘bridge builders’ in the process of foreign policy integration, based on their niches of expertise.
Although with some differences, both espoused an intergovernmental stance when it comes to the structure of the EU foreign decision-making and a supportive attitude towards the EEAS, CFSP and CSDP, despite financial constraints.
In parallel, both countries had a ‘reactive’ rather than a ‘proactive’ approach, which combined uploading and downloading tendencies.
For more information please visit the Ashgate website.
