Globalization & Law Network seminar ‘Legal Options to Make the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy More Effective’ wih Ramses Wessel

On 28 March 2023, the Globalisation and Law Network had the pleasure to have Prof. Ramses Wessel, vice-dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen, at Maastricht University.

During the seminar, which was organized in collaboration with the Maastricht Center for European Law (MCEL), Prof. Wessel talked about his research, commissioned by the European Parliament, on the legal options to make the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) more effective. Prof. Andrea Ott acted as a discussant.

Prof. Wessel gave an overview of what the CFSP is and why this policy displays some ‘atypical’ features, because of its decision-making procedure. He went on to explain the current challenges faced by the CFSP, from the perspective of the Court of Justice of the EU. Prof. Wessel then proceeded to analyze the use of Article 31 and the use of qualified majority voting (QMV) for CFSP decisions, but also the possible advantages and challenges of extending QMV to CFSP matters.                                                                                

In the end, Prof. Wessel presented his policy recommendations on how to improve the EU decision-making in general and in the field of CFSP and, more specifically, whether it could be sustainable to use the ‘treaty sleeping beauties’, such as the passerelle clauses, to shift from unanimity to QMV. 

If you are interested in joining the upcoming seminars organised by the Globalization & Law Network, you can view the program and register here.

Also read

  • Due to the occupation of some of the FASoS buildings, FASoS will be closed until further notice. There will be no teaching on-campus today and we are looking into whether classes can move online. Our students will be informed about the closure of our buildings and the consequences this has on...

  • UM is still in dialogue with the protesting students that are involved in today's occupation of the FASoS building. The aim is and remains 'de-escalation', and the safety of everyone involved comes first. At the same time, we want to ensure that we can fulfil our primary task, education and research...

  • In the morning of Wednesday, 22 May, a group of student protestors occupied a Maastricht University (UM) building at Grote Gracht. This prompted the university to engage in discussions with the protesters, some of whom had also set up a tent camp behind the building the previous week.