Research Papers

Notwithstanding the fact, that only states are allowed to become a member of the United Nations (UN), more and more regional organisations and NGOs find their way into the institutions of the UN system. While shaping its external identity, the EU is exceptionally eager to increase its visibility within the UN. Unlike other regional organisations, that are comfortable with an “observer status”, the EU has been trying to enhance its position since the very beginning of its UN relations. Up to now, the EU is a “full member” of the FAO (1991) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (KOM/2001/0287 30.05.2001) and is working to become a “full member” of the ILO and the UNHCR as well. Moreover, the European Commission joins all major UN-conferences as a “full participant”. The newest success is the upgrade of the EU’s position in the GA (A/RES/65/276 10.05.2011). But going deeper into the analysis of the EU’s role within the UN, one has to notice, that the global actor EU takes a backseat behind the member states’ national politics, especially the dominant P2. The EU still lacks representation in the GA committees (apart from the second committee where the EC is a member) and in the linchpin of the UN’s system, the Security Council. Searching for ways to shape the EU’s role in the UN, one has to look at the calling card of the EU’s foreign policy, the HR. What job does the HR do in EU-UN relations? Does the HR tap his/her full potential? Is the HR the key to enhance the EU’s status within the system? By the example of this pivotal actor, the EU’s role within the UN system is analysed and ways to shape the EU’s global actorness by means of the HR are discussed.