The Role of the European Parliament in EU Foreign Policy: Parliamentary Diplomacy and the Development of the EuroNest Inter-Parliamentary Assembly

This article examines the role of the European Parliament (EP) in EU foreign policy and parliamentary diplomacy through the lens of the social theory of functionalism. By focusing on the case of the EuroNest Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the study discusses the forms of diplomacy developed by the EP in its relations with the Eastern Partnership countries. The study is based on qualitative research, including involved documents analysis and semi-structured interviews (23) and conducts a three-tier analysis of, first, social interactions, second, cultural patterns and, third, individual MEPs motivations. The article argues that EP parliamentary diplomacy goes beyond its formal competencies and contributes to EU foreign policy aims. The research indicates that parliamentary diplomacy serves the functions of parliamentary scrutiny and of obtaining accessible information directly from parliamentarians and civil society representatives in Eastern partner countries. The Euro-Nest inter-parliamentary institution provides a platform for ongoing socialisation and regional cooperation. European parliamentary diplomacy and the focus on the EU's specific foreign policy agenda (Eastern Partnership) is also linked to the individual motives of MEPs themselves.