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Research on the EU's performance in the World Health Organization
June 15, 2009. In this study the performance of the member states of the European Union (EU) and the European Commission in negotiations taking place in the World Health Organization (WHO) is analysed and related to its ability to operate on the basis of a common position and external representation. EU unity in WHO negotiations resulted from the Commission claiming EC competence, a pro-active EU presidency and a process of intensive EU coordination becoming gradually institutionalised. Member states’ representatives identified economies of scale in conducting a unified external representation, although their initial preferences were rather different. Identified drawbacks of operating a unified external representation included the extensive time spent in EU coordination, the dependency on the intention and qualities of the lead negotiator, and the EU’s difficulties with reacting swiftly to new issues coming up in the negotiations. Download PDF (176 Kb)