This thesis explores the tension between norms and state-interests in EU foreign policy. It focuses on the energy sanctions against Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine and argues that it is...Show moreThis thesis explores the tension between norms and state-interests in EU foreign policy. It focuses on the energy sanctions against Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine and argues that it is a case in which norms prevail over state-interests. It uncovers the different steps from the beginning of the war on the 24th of February 2022 to the adoption of an oil embargo on the 3rd of June by the council. It analyses how despite diverging interests among the member states, a consensus was reached in the European council.Show less
Morocco and the European Union are intertwined through a constellation of interests. Migration is perhaps the most important of these interests, an issue that the European Union has identified as...Show moreMorocco and the European Union are intertwined through a constellation of interests. Migration is perhaps the most important of these interests, an issue that the European Union has identified as crucial in order to guarantee the stability of the region. Nevertheless, dealing with migration requires of close cooperation with third state countries like Morocco, which represents one of the main gateways of entrance of irregular migrants to the European Union. Shortly after the 2004 enlargement process, the European Union designed the European Neighbourhood Policy in order to strengthen the links with its southern and eastern neighbours and create a ring of well-governed, stable, and democratic countries. Through this paper we will take a closer look at Morocco as a partner country through the European Neighbourhood Policy, precisely in the field of migration, and how and to what extent the establishment of this policy has had an impact on Morocco's migration policy.Show less
The EU has a policy of 'critical engagement' with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This policy mixes attempts at political dialogue, aimed at achieving stability in the Korean Peninsula,...Show moreThe EU has a policy of 'critical engagement' with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. This policy mixes attempts at political dialogue, aimed at achieving stability in the Korean Peninsula, with a strong sanctions policy to deter the regime from developing its nuclear programme. However, this policy has delivered few results since its inception in the mid-2000s. By drawing on theories of EU actorness, critical engagement is analysed in this thesis in order to determine the extent to which the EU should - and could - reconsider its current approach. While the EU's options in this conflict are limited, the thesis finds that a re-evaluation of critical engagement is overdue, and that the EU has available, though difficult, avenues through which it can renew its approach to North Korea.Show less
This thesis analyses the development of Nordic cooperation in the Arctic and the reasons behind this development. It argues that Nordic cooperation has played an important role in the policy areas...Show moreThis thesis analyses the development of Nordic cooperation in the Arctic and the reasons behind this development. It argues that Nordic cooperation has played an important role in the policy areas of security and defence, and regional development. Regarding security and defence, NORDEFCO has complemented the limits of NATO in providing the Nordics with security guarantees and involving partners in the North Cap region, in order to respond to the growing Russian threat. Regarding regional development, the NCM and other Nordic venues have established an elaborate policy framework for addressing transnational issues, coordinating intra-Nordic cooperation and cooperation with other Arctic actors, and managing and implementing EU funding programmes. Through this, Nordic cooperation has fulfilled an important role in complementing and supplementing various shortcomings of EU and NATO Arctic policies. Nordic cooperation is analysed as a form of sub-regionalism, which has allowed for a nuanced, realistic understanding of the functioning of Nordic cooperation in the Arctic, in relation to the national and regional level. Through this, this thesis has contributed to strengthening the nexus between the scholarship on Nordic cooperation and sub-regionalism. The analysis consists primarily of a document analysis of the Nordic Arctic strategies and policy documents of the Nordic institutions, combined with elements of (comparative) institutional analysis and a semi-structured interview.Show less
This paper examines the recurrence of three main views on disability in policy-making to understand general discourses and perspectives affecting (disability) employment policies and societal...Show moreThis paper examines the recurrence of three main views on disability in policy-making to understand general discourses and perspectives affecting (disability) employment policies and societal mindset. The most similar case study of Flanders and the Netherlands, combining critical discourse and thematic (content) analysis on plenary debates, demonstrates that the view of disability as an individual’s issue rather than a society’s responsibility was commonplace. Particularly in the case of the Netherlands. Nonetheless, the social and human rights models also re-occurred. Therefore, it illustrates how employment policies affecting individuals with disabilities consist of a mixture of views and goals, which entangle in practice and policies.Show less
